Post-surgical and conservative rehabilitation for dogs with intervertebral disc disease is critical for recovery and long-term welfare, yet access to specialist physiotherapy remains uneven.
Without structured rehabilitation, dogs recovering from IVDD surgery risk slower return of function, muscle atrophy, and pressure sores from immobility. The period of restricted mobility is stressful for active dogs who cannot understand their limitation. Pain management must be maintained throughout recovery, not just the acute period. Access to certified canine rehabilitation physiotherapists is growing but remains concentrated in urban areas, creating geographic welfare inequity. Owner-led home programs guided by rehabilitation practitioners provide a practical bridge where clinic access is limited. Quality of life assessment throughout recovery guides decisions about continued treatment versus palliation.