Rehabilitative Therapies

Shock wave therapy is a non-surgical procedure that aids in the initiation of the body's natural healing response, thereby reducing pain and increasing mobility. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) involves the application of a series of low-energy acoustic wave pulsations to an injured area of a cat or dog.

Animals typically feel pain relief about 24 hours after ESWT, but may require other types of pain control as well. Vets often recommend integrating other rehabilitative therapies to help pets regain mobility and health.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy can help with degenerative joint disease, hip arthritis. elbow arthritis, stifle arthritis. osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, tendon and ligament injuries, and chronic or non-healing wounds.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is created by separating red blood cells from whole blood. It is possible to take a sample of it and spin it down using a centrifuge. It can be used to promote healing, reduce inflammation, and even heal bone fractures.

PRP Therapy can provide numerous advantages to pets. When combined with other treatments, such as cold laser therapy, the efficacy of this therapeutic process is significantly increased.

As a treatment for damaged tissue, regenerative therapy employs biological agents derived from pets, such as blood or bone marrow. These are processed and re-injected into the pet to promote healing at specific sites of injury. Regenerative therapies enhance overall healing quality by instructing damaged tissue to repair itself at the cellular level.

We can reduce the impact of treatment on your pet by using regenerative therapy. We can use the body's natural healing ability to extract the cells responsible for tissue growth and use them to treat injuries and relieve pain. When possible, our veterinarians believe that minimally invasive treatment is the best option.

Therapeutic physical exercise is the cornerstone of any great physical rehabilitation program.

A number of exercises are appropriate for a plethora conditions and offer many benefits for your pet. With targeted physical exercises, we can:

• Improve cartilage and ligament health
• Improve muscle mass and strength
• Prevent or reverse osteoporosis
• Increase circulation
• Decrease pain
• Reduce obesity
• Improve function and mobility
• Improve flexibility and range of motion
• Improve balance and senses
• Increase endurance and stamina

Low-impact aquatic therapy can help improve strength, range of motion, and endurance.

The buoyancy properties of water minimize weight-bearing stress on the joints, which helps prevent tissue injuries, inflammation, and pain.

Aquatic therapy is appropriate for:

• Post-operative orthopedic procedures
• Neurological conditions
• Osteoarthritic patients
• Overweight patients

Depending on your pet's requirements, we may choose the 2,500-gallon heated in-ground swimming pool or the underwater treadmill.

The underwater treadmill promotes controlled weight-bearing by varying water levels, while our swimming pool is a non-weight-bearing environment. This is especially effective for osteoarthritis and weaknesses related to neurological conditions.

Swimming is not recommended immediately for many post-operative conditions; the treadmill may be more appropriate.

Our therapy team will help determine which is most suitable based on your pet's condition.

Manual techniques refer to massage, passive range of motion, stretches and joint mobilization.

These are all important components of any rehabilitation program and can help alleviate pain, increase circulation, promote relaxation and improve tissue extensibility.

We use superficial hot and cold applications in addition to other treatments.

Often, hot or cold therapeutic aids are applied before or after exercise to increase tissue extensibility.

They can also promote relaxation, relieve pain, increase circulation, and minimize inflammation.

Based on your pet's condition, and an assessment from our experienced veterinary specialists and therapy team, we can determine your pet's unique therapeutic requirements, including the duration of their customized treatment program.

Depending on your pet's condition and requirements, at-home exercises may help promote healing and progress. Always consult your veterinarian on if and when at-home exercises should be part of your pet's treatment, and which ones would be helpful.

Rehabilitative therapies can be used to treat a wide range of conditions your pet may have, such as:

• Osteoarthritis
• Recovery after major surgery (hip surgery, cruciate repair, limb amputation, etc.)
• Spinal injuries
• Disc disease (IVDD)
• Soft tissue injuries
• Obesity
• Chronic pain

Rehabilitative therapy is an essential element in your pet's recovery, whether they have been impacted by injury, trauma, surgery, chronic pain, neurological condition, or other circumstance.

With a custom rehabilitation and therapeutic program, we can focus on pain management and prioritizing his or her overall health while reaching your pet's goals, which may include building your pet's balance and coordination, endurance, and stamina. 

All of these are conducive to healing, with the goal of ensuring your pet feels its best and that the two of you get to spend many more years together.