Non-Surgical Injury Management for Sporting Dogs

Jul 23
2 min read

How Cutting-Edge Therapies Help Keep Canine Athletes in Top Condition

Sporting dogs - from agile competitors to flyball champions - are elite athletes in their own right. But with high performance comes high risk. Repetitive motion, explosive acceleration, and sudden directional changes place intense strain on their musculoskeletal systems. Over time, this leads to common soft tissue injuries that require careful, sport-specific care.

Thankfully, surgery isn’t the only answer.

Understanding the Injuries

Canine athletes are prone to a specific set of injuries, including:

Shoulder and stifle strains (common in agility dogs)
Iliopsoas injuries and soft tissue strains (frequent in flyball)
Tendonopathies in the biceps or supraspinatus
Carpal ligament sprains from impact or overuse

These injuries may appear subtle at first - lameness, reduced stride, or decreased drive - but without intervention, they can sideline a dog for months or even end their sporting career.

The Power of Non-Surgical Treatments

In a recent veterinary webinar led by Dr. Ariel Markley, experts explored the most effective non-invasive solutions for sporting dog injuries. These therapies are designed to support healing, minimize downtime, and reduce the risk of reinjury.

Here are three of the most impactful options:

1. Shock Wave Therapy (PulseVet)

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is a leading choice for soft tissue recovery. Devices like Zomedica’s PulseVet deliver focused acoustic energy deep into injured tissue, triggering cellular repair and reducing inflammation.

🦴 Particularly effective for:

Supraspinatus tendinopathy
Biceps tendon injuries
Chronic joint pain

Studies show it can improve lameness, speed recovery, and reduce the need for long-term medication.

2. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

This regenerative therapy uses the dog's own blood platelets to accelerate tissue healing. When combined with shock wave therapy, PRP can improve results even further—especially in chronic cases.

💉 Used for:

Carpal ligament strains
Chronic biceps injuries
Muscle tears

With ultrasound-guided precision, PRP ensures the therapeutic boost goes exactly where it’s needed.

3. Laser Therapy (Photobiomodulation)

Laser therapy harnesses infrared light to stimulate tissue regeneration and control inflammation. Though research in dogs is still growing, clinical experience suggests it complements other therapies well.

🔦 Benefits include:

Improved collagen structure
Reduced pain
Maintained range of motion during healing

The Rehab Plan: From Recovery to Return

Successful recovery isn’t just about treatment - it’s about targeted rehabilitation:

🐾 Phase 1 (8–16 weeks)

Core strengthening
Postural control
Balance exercises

🐾 Phase 2 (8–12 weeks)

Gradual reintroduction to sport-specific movements
Low-impact agility drills
Controlled strengthening

🐾 Phase 3 (Ongoing)

Conditioning maintenance
Injury prevention strategies
Owner-led home programs

Rehab requires patience. Most soft tissue injuries take 6–12 months to fully heal, but a structured plan helps prevent setbacks and keeps your dog moving forward.

Helping Dogs Stay Active, Safely

At Stay on Track Vet Physiotherapy, we believe in keeping sporting dogs doing what they love - safely and sustainably. By integrating PulseVet shock wave therapy, PRP, laser treatment, and structured rehab, we offer a complete, non-surgical approach to performance recovery.

📞 Want to know if your dog is a candidate?