INDUSTRY NEWS
Advancing Pet Mobility and Longevity typography

A Multimodal
Approach

woman in scrubs training french bulldog on mobility exercise equipment
By Dr. Kelly Fishman, DVM, CVA, CCRT
Photo provided by Strut Animal Mobility Specialists
Muscle atrophy is a common but often overlooked issue in veterinary medicine, especially in aging, injured or post-surgical pets. Like humans, muscle mass is vital for pets’ health, mobility and longevity, yet many accept reduced mobility as inevitable with age.

Sarcopenia, or age-related muscle loss, is well-documented in both human and veterinary medicine. It contributes to mobility issues, joint instability and injury risk. In dogs, muscle loss appears as difficulty rising, reluctance to climb stairs and reduced activity. Cats may become less agile and hesitant to jump. Early detection and intervention are key to improving quality of life.

Research reinforces the importance of maintaining muscle mass in dogs and cats to support joint health, metabolic function and injury recovery. A multimodal approach, integrating targeted exercise and optimized nutrition, is the most effective strategy for mitigating muscle loss and promoting longevity.

The Science of Rehabilitation and Targeted Exercise

Physical rehabilitation is increasingly used to restore function and prevent atrophy in recovering pets. Several therapeutic modalities have demonstrated efficacy in improving mobility and strength, including the following:

  • Therapeutic exercises, proprioception drills, and core stabilization routines improve muscle engagement and neuromuscular coordination.
  • Underwater treadmills and swimming minimize joint stress while promoting controlled muscle activation, aiding dogs recovering from orthopedic surgery or arthritis.
  • Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been shown to reduce pain and improve muscle strength, particularly in post-operative cases where voluntary movement is initially limited.
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has many benefits in addition to pain relief, including positive effects on wound healing, muscle strength and flexibility.
  • Manual therapy and stretching enhance flexibility and reduce compensatory movement patterns that can lead to further musculoskeletal imbalance.
  • Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy uses alternating magnetic fields to increase calcium channel signaling and nitrous oxide production at the cellular level. In physical rehabilitation this is an accepted non-pharmaceutical modality to reduce post-operative and arthritic pain.
  • Acupuncture is an accepted method to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation and improve blood flow. There are many clinical veterinary studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of acupuncture in neurologic, behavioral and chronic pain conditions.

Nutrition Innovations in Muscle Health and Recovery

Physical rehabilitation practitioners used to rely solely on exercises to build muscle and prevent atrophy, with limited options for nutritional support to enhance muscle health. However, recent advancements in nutrition have introduced new interventions to the veterinary field to address muscle loss and enhance recovery.
teal digital line drawing of dog with front legs in the air
Many pet parents are unaware of the role strength and muscle health play in their pets’ overall wellbeing, and that there are options to build and maintain muscle in dogs and cats.
One ingredient that’s gained acceptance within the veterinary community for its clinically proven effects on promoting muscle protein synthesis and reducing muscle atrophy in dogs and cats is Fortetropin. This is a natural bioactive compound sourced from raw fertilized egg yolk with benefits supported by extensive clinical research.

One study of 100 dogs following TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) surgery showed quicker recovery, less muscle atrophy and no increase in myostatin.1 Another study showed that approximately 70% of cats with stage 2 and 3 chronic kidney disease experienced increased lean muscle mass while on Fortetropin, with no adverse renal side effects.2

Additionally, a human study published in The Journals of Gerontology found that Fortetropin increased muscle protein synthesis by 18% in men and women ages 60-75, even without added exercise.3 Given that both humans and animals experience sarcopenia with aging, these studies highlight the potential of Fortetropin as a non-pharmacological intervention for maintaining muscle and preventing frailty in health in aging dogs and cats.

Other clinically proven supplements further support musculoskeletal health. For example, probiotics optimize gut microbiota, aiding nutrient absorption and immunity, essential for muscle maintenance; collagen supports joints, skin and connective tissues for lifelong mobility; and omega-3s from marine sources reduce inflammation and help maintain mobility in arthritic dogs. Integrating these supplements offers a well-rounded approach to muscle health and overall wellbeing in aging and injured pets.

Enhancing Patient Outcomes

Integrating evidence-based muscle health strategies into clinical practice can significantly improve patient outcomes. Consider these approaches:

1. Educating Pet Parents on Active Aging
Many pet parents are unaware of the role strength and muscle health play in their pets’ overall wellbeing, and that there are options to build and maintain muscle in dogs and cats. Age-related muscle loss causes frailty, a key factor in quality of life and a significant influence on euthanasia decisions.

As the senior pet population grows, veterinarians are increasingly encountering age-related frailty in their caseload. The entire team can recommend supplements like Fortetropin, omega-3 fatty acids from marine sources and exercise to improve the wellbeing of senior pets.

2. Multimodal Management of Arthritis Includes Maintaining Muscle
Joint supplements, maintaining an ideal body weight and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for dogs with arthritis are widely accepted in veterinary medicine. Physical Rehabilitation improves mobility and reduces pain in dogs and cats with arthritis. Goals of the rehabilitation practitioner are to maintain muscle which adds dynamic support to arthritic joints and maintains strength and mobility.

Assessing muscle condition in muscles surrounding the arthritic joint is essential. The veterinary team should offer muscle support alongside joint supplements to maximize mobility.

3. Rehabilitation Goal of Post-Op TPLO Includes Preventing Muscle Loss
Dogs that have TPLO surgery to correct a cruciate tear experience muscle loss, which can slow their recovery and use of the injured limb. Rehabilitation goals after surgery are to minimize muscle loss and help dogs walk sooner, with therapists providing strength-building exercise, aquatic therapy, and non-pharmaceutical pain management like PEMF and LASER to aid in recovery.

In addition, Fortetropin has been shown to improve these outcomes in post-op TPLO patients, making it an important supplement option for all post-op patients.

Maximize Healthspan

Unlike lifespan, which measures years lived, healthspan focuses on quality of life. Maximizing strength, mobility and overall health is key to improving pets’ healthspan. A proactive approach helps prevent and manage chronic conditions, with many benefiting from exercise and muscle maintenance.

Not all patients have access to rehabilitation, but affordable, evidence-backed supplements can support muscle health. Enhancing muscle condition improves quality of life for aging and post-surgical pets, keeping them active, pain-free and engaged with their families longer.

References:
  1. White DA, Harkin KR, Roush JK, et. al. (2020) Fortetropin inhibits disuse muscle atrophy in dogs after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy. PLoS ONE 15(4): e0231306. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231306
  2. North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. (2023) The Impact of Fortetropin® in Cats Suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease. MYOS PET. https://myospet.com/pages/clinical-studies
  3. Evans W, Shankaran M, Nyangau E, et. al. (2021) Effects of Fortetropin on the Rate of Muscle Protein Synthesis in Older Men and Women. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, Volume 76, Issue 1, Pages 108–114, https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glaa162
Dr. Kelly Fishman headshot
Dr. Kelly Fishman, DVM, CVA, CCRT, is a leader in veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation. As founder of Strut Animal Mobility Specialists and a veterinary advisory board member at MYOS PET, she integrates nutrition, fitness, and advanced therapies to enhance mobility and long-term health in dogs and cats. Specializing in post-injury recovery, sports performance, and aging care, she equips pet parents with essential tools for their animals’ well-being. Fishman earned her veterinary degree from Ross University, trained at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine. Fishman has advanced expertise in pain management, mobility, rehabilitation, and sports medicine for animals.
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