The physical rehabilitation of animals is a new area of veterinary medicine which has become essential in providing the best opportunities for our companions to recover from orthopedic surgery, soft tissue injuries and decrease the pain and immobility of arthritis. Common physical rehabilitation modalities include: massage therapy, therapeutic laser treatment, transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation (TENS), laser, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and our underwater treadmill.
Rehabilitation therapy assists in treating orthopedic injuries, neurological conditions and chronic conditions brought about by normal aging in our pets. These musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions can result in weakness, pain, decreased range of motion, loss of coordination, decreased endurance and difficulty with normal daily activities.
You should consider rehabilitation to improve your dog's well-being and improved quality of life if your dog has:
Canine rehabilitation goals:
HEATED, UNDERWATER TREADMILL
The canine underwater treadmill dramatically speeds recovery from orthopedic and neurologic surgery. The therapeutic effects of water are combined with exercise to provide a safe and comfortable workout. The resistance of the water and the reduction of weight bearing allows for a more pain-free exercise on arthritic or traumatized joints. Speed, water level, and water temperature can be adjusted to suit the dog’s individual needs. The low impact work is also perfect for beginning a weight loss program.
LASER TREATMENT
Laser therapy is used to increase the speed, quality and tensile strength of tissue repair, resolve inflammation, and give pain relief.
ULTRASOUND THERAPY
Ultrasound therapy is a deep heating unit that can assist with breaking up scar tissue, expedite the healing process, increase blood supply to the affected area and reduces pain and stiffness.
TENS UNIT FOR ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION
BALANCE BOARD, BOSU BOARD, FITNESS BALL
Exercising on this equipment improves a dog’s balance and proprioception, which is the sense of knowing where a body part is in space. The BOSU ball is also used for increasing range of motion and flexibility, improving reflexes and building up muscle tone and endurance.
ORTHOPEDIC CONDITIONS
NEUROLOGIC CONDITIONS
OTHER CONDITIONS
Bob Rider, DVM, CCRT (Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist)
Dr. Rider is a 1995 graduate of the Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine and completed his CCRT (Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist) training on 2010. He performs advanced orthopedic surgery including TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) for Anterior Cruciate Ligament repair.
Anne Risaliti, PT, CCRT (Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist)
Anne is a licensed Physical Therapist receiving her PT (Physical Therapy) degree from Old Dominion University then she completed her CCRT (Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist) from The Canine Rehabilitation Institute. She can work on 2 and 4 legged patients with Dr. McCarthy!
Kevin McCarthy, DC, ACVC (Certified Animal Chiropractor)
Certified Animal Chiropractor Dr. Kevin McCarthy of Hands in Health Chiropractic Center to offer chiropractic rehabilitation in our hospital. Dr. McCarthy is a graduate of New York Chiropractic College. In addition, he recently completed extensive training in Animal Chiropractic Program in Brantford, Ontario. He is now seeing patients on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at our hospital.
