Rehabilitation
Carol Wasmucky, PT
Welcome to VCA SouthPaws Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Center Rehabilitation Department! Our hospital has a fully equipped, state-of-art rehabilitation center for treatment of orthopedic and neurologic conditions, both acute and chronic and to aid in the recovery of post-operative patients.
SouthPaws Rehabilitation Department, managed by Carol Wasmucky, BSPT, helps pets recover from injuries, traumas, and surgeries. In helping pets recover and regain mobility, Carol draws on her animal rehabilitation training, and years of experience treating human physical therapy and sports medicine patients. In addition to providing a full range of rehabilitative, conditioning, and preventive treatments for the pets, time is also spent teaching pet owners appropriate therapeutic techniques and how to manage their pet's condition at home. Treatment at home is especially useful for pets with chronic arthritis, neurological diseases, and other conditions.
When to consider rehabilitative therapy?
- Post-operative pain, inflammation, decreased mobility following soft tissue, orthopedic or neurological surgeries
- Retraining athletic dogs to full function following injury, surgery, or illness ('return to sports!')
- Improving mobility, muscle strength, and balance for arthritic dogs and cats
- Maximizing mobility and balance for neuromuscular disease and injury patients
- Post-amputation patients
Rehabilitative treatments and services include:
- Exercises for daily home care and management
- Proprioceptive skills training and balance exercises
- Therapeutic massage
- Exercises to improve range of motion, flexibility and stretching ability
- Heat and cold therapy
- Strength training and conditioning
- Ultrasound
- Electrical stimulation
What is Animal Rehabilitation?
Animal rehabilitation is the use of therapeutic exercises combined with additional modalities such as hydrotherapy, ultrasound, cryotherapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation and acupuncture to improve the recovery of patients with both acute and chronic conditions.
How Will My Pet Benefit From Animal Rehabilitation?
Animal rehabilitation can restore, maintain and promote optimal function and mobility; enhance recovery postoperatively; alleviate pain; improve circulation, coordination and range of motion; provide confidence and comfort in geriatric patients.
Is My Pet A Candidate For Rehabilitation?
Pets of all ages, sizes and breeds can benefit from animal rehabilitation. Any animal suffering from chronic pain, arthritis, obesity or muscle weakness can experience an enhanced quality of life as a result of rehabilitation.
Conditions That Respond Well To Rehabilitation:
Orthopedic Conditions:
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears
- Arthritis
- Hip Dysplasia
- Patellar Luxations
- Fractures
- Osteochondritis Dessicans
- Soft Tissue Injuries
Neurological Conditions:
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Fibrocartilaginous Emboli
- Intervertebral Disc Disease
- Lumbosacral Stenosis
General Health/Wellness:
- Athletic Conditioning
- Cardiovascular Fitness
- Obesity-Weight Loss
Underwater Treadmill
The underwater treadmill enables dogs to begin the rehabilitation process earlier than normal. The low-impact exercise offered by the underwater treadmill allows the animal to transition more quickly to land-based therapy by increasing muscle strength and endurance with the natural properties of water buoyancy, resistance and heat.
