Laser therapy is a painless, non-invasive and proven method to decrease pain and inflammation. Therapeutic laser, also known as “photobiomodulation”, uses invisible infrared light energy(photons) to penetrate deep into tissues and enhance the body’s natural healing. The cells convert light energy to biochemical energy by stimulating various chromophores(hemoglobin, melanin, Cytochrome C) and stimulation encourages the production of cell energy(ATP), which powers the cell functions and biochemical processes. The results are improved blood flow, modulation of inflammation, enhanced cell regeneration and promotion of tissue healing.
Laser therapy can be used to help rehabilitate patients with musculoskeletal pain, tissue swelling, inflammation, muscular strains and sprains, tendonitis, osteoarthritis, neurological conditions, and to enhance skin wound healing. It is a very important adjunct after surgery to enhance tissue healing.
Underwater Treadmills provide many advantages over traditional treadmills or walks because we are able to utilize the positive properties of water while adjusting variables like speed and resistance based on the patient’s needs. By using the buoyancy of water, we can get patients who experience pain when walking to move without them having to support the full weight of their body, therefore decreasing their pain level. Exercising in water encourages weight loss and increases muscle mass, making it a great addition to a weight-loss program. Other benefits include improving gait, balance, and proprioception, as well as increasing range of motion and endurance. Patients typically walk in the treadmill, however, we can raise the level of the water so they can swim to help strengthen forelimbs.
We always want to give our patients the opportunity to potty before/after rehab. We very much appreciate when clients take their dog to potty before their appointment so we can spend more time focusing on their treatments.
Manual therapy consists of joint and soft tissue mobilizations including myofascial release techniques and passive range of motion. These techniques are non-invasive and improve mobility, decrease pain and optimize function.
Massage therapy is very beneficial to reduce pain and swelling and improve soft tissue mobility. We combine massage with stretching techniques that we can also demonstrate for you to continue at home. Patients are very relaxed during treatments and can often feel the benefits by the next day.
An exercise program is developed specifically for your pet to help with strength, mobility, flexibility, and balance-all aimed to improve your pet’s quality of life. We utilize specialized equipment such as balance boards, bosu discs, cavaletti’s as well as ramp walking and stairs. We will provide appropriate exercise progression and guidance as well as teaching you exercises for you to help your pet at home.
This is a non-painful and non-invasive therapeutic technique performed by placing electrode pads against the patient’s coat or skin with a conductivity gel to deliver current. Depending on the frequency of the current it can be used for pain modulation (TENS) or to facilitate muscle contractions (NMES). With TENS, the frequency is lower to aide in pain control and to reduce swelling. TENS stimulates sensory nerve fibers which block the signal of pain, hence offering pain relief. This allows for a multi-modal approach to pain relief as we can use TENS alongside with prescribed medications and other modalities to provide pain relief for pets with acute or chronic pain conditions. At higher frequencies, NMES is used to excite the nerves that innervate the targeted muscle, causing them to contract. Contraction of the muscle enhances motor learning and muscle re-education. These muscle contractions can help to mimic strength training for animals that are non-weight bearing or have limited use of a muscle or muscle group. NMES is most often used in patients that are too weak to move certain muscle groups, whether that is due to atrophy after disuse or a neurological disease.
Extracorporeal shockwave also known as shockwave therapy, is a high-energy sound wave technology offering a non-invasive treatment option for dogs experiencing pain. High-energy sound waves, called pulses, travel through soft tissue to reach specific treatment areas. These pulses trigger the body’s repair system to activate and release proteins that accelerate healing. This therapy has been proven effective in reducing healing time, improving mobility, and relieving pain. It is used as a part of the Phase 1 rehabilitation program but can be beneficial when patients are being treated for things like osteoarthritis, joint injuries (hips, elbows, stifles, shoulders), chronic pain (lumbosacral disease), tendon/ligament injuries, and even chronic soft tissue wounds.
Therapeutic ultrasound works by both thermal effects and non-thermal effects. It has been shown to help with treating pain, tendon and ligament injuries, fractures, muscle contractures, scar tissue formation, and muscle/trigger point dysfunction. Therapeutic ultrasound helps to break down scar tissue, decrease pain, increase healing rates, improve circulation, and increase tissue extensibility.
Thermal effects: Therapeutic ultrasound creates deep heat within the tissues. This is highly effective for improving the flexibility within the tissues. Additionally, it’s very effective in preparing the tissues prior to manual therapy techniques. Patients typically experience a comfortable warming sensation during the process.
Non-thermal effects: Therapeutic ultrasound also works by a process referred to as “cavitation”. Cavitation is the creation of microscopic gas bubbles that are rapidly expanding and contracting within the tissues. Cavitation is effective for speeding the cellular process, facilitating healing, and increasing blood flow.
Cryotherapy is one of the oldest forms of physical therapy. Upon contact, it creates an anesthetic effect to reduce pain, causing vasoconstriction which decreases swelling, and minimizes tissue metabolism to improve healing. Intermittent compression mimics a muscle contraction to push fluid back into the lymphatic system for a reduction in swelling, while enhancing blood flow to deliver more oxygen to the injured area.
We use the Companion Animal Health Cold Compression System which is a combination of cold and compression therapy, using compression wraps which aid in healing patients faster.
If your pet is having difficulty walking from advanced conditions including degenerative myelopathy, paralysis secondary to spinal or neurological problems, hip dysplasia or severe osteoarthritis, we can help you choose the appropriate mobility cart or wheelchair. We will measure and fit your dog for the cart and help teach you and your pet how to use and maintain it. Please contact our clinic with questions for more details.
We offer weight loss and conditioning programs tailored to the needs of your pet. We begin by discussing your pet’s current and past lifestyle activity habits which will help to create an outline that will help make modifications geared toward improved physical health. We also offer medical boarding to assist in obtaining a regulated diet while simultaneously incorporating exercise to help facilitate their weight loss. Please contact our clinic with questions for more details.
FIT to Fetch – Program information pending.
Our comprehensive approach to pain management including laser therapy, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (acoustic sound therapy), and cryotherapy are used during the rehabilitation session to help alleviate pain and discomfort. Manual therapy including joint mobilization to increase comfortable range of motion and soft tissue work such as myofascial therapy and massage help to release tight muscles, relieve spasm and pain. Additionally, the use of pain medications and supplements give relief to the patient, allowing us to work more effectively with them. In order to gain the most from each rehabilitation session it is important that your pet receives medication prescribed by the veterinarian.
At several points during the rehabilitation process, a series of home exercises will be given to you. We will demonstrate and explain them so you feel confident that you can do the exercises with your pet on your own. Once you’re home, you can reference our Home Exercise Handouts. Home exercises are essential to the rehabilitation process because they continue the momentum and progress in between rehabilitation sessions.
One of the hardest parts of being a pet owner is watching our pets age and struggle with arthritis and basic functions, such as standing and walking. There are many factors that should be considered when coming up with treatment and management plans for geriatric patient. Evaluating mobility/physical condition and developing a pain management protocol are some of the important considerations that should be made on a patient-by-patient basis. Often times, a variety of modalities are utilized in order to give the patient the best quality of life possible. Please discuss with our staff what rehabilitative plans are available and most appropriate for your pet.
Canine athletes are dogs who compete in events such as agility and flyball or who perform forms of work such as search-and-rescue, field trials, hunting, and herding. It is crucial for these dogs to be in peak physical condition in order to have long, successful careers in their sport or work. Fitness evaluations allow us to assess weak points in your dog’s structure or function and create conditioning plans to target those weak areas, as well as improve overall core strength, cardiovascular health, and endurance.
Evaluating and improving fitness is not just for seasoned competition dogs. Dogs who jog, run, bike, hike, and play fetch in the backyard also benefit from fitness evaluations and conditioning plans to help avoid injury and maintain a good physical condition. Dogs enjoy “having a job” so fitness and conditioning for the canine athlete is extremely enjoyable and fun for both the patient and the staff.
A rehabilitation evaluation will include a comprehensive rehabilitation physical exam to include history, gait analysis for lameness, joint range of motion, muscle mass, pain assessment and neurologic function. Based on this information we will work to develop a therapeutic plan for rehabilitation. In addition to the rehabilitation evaluation we can work towards creating a plan that will include supplementation, pain management, nutritional needs, therapeutic treatments, and a home exercise plan to address all the needs identified in the evaluation.
The recheck evaluation is reserved for patients that have completed a series of sessions to ensure no changes are needed in their therapeutic plan. This evaluation will also be recommended if there has been a gap in therapy in order to begin a new program.
Includes 2-3 walks per day, medication administration if needed, meal time if provided. This is ideal for geriatric patients, recent surgical patients, and/or patients with a recent injury to provide a comfortable and controlled environment with staff specialized in rehabilitation. Boarding is for existing and former patients only.
Includes three walks, and at least 1 enrichment session per day, medication administration if needed. We recommend to bring your pets normal diet but also have a sensitive stomach diet and/or food items for encouragement if needed. This is ideal for geriatric patients, recent surgical patients, and/or patients with a recent injury to provide a comfortable and controlled environment with staff specialized in rehabilitation. Boarding is for existing and former patients only.
Includes three walks, and at least 1 enrichment session per day, medication administration if needed. We recommend to bring your pets normal diet but also have a sensitive stomach diet and/or food items for encouragement if needed. This is ideal for geriatric patients, recent surgical patients, and/or patients with a recent injury to provide a comfortable and controlled environment with staff specialized in rehabilitation. Boarding is for existing and former patients only.
