Rehabilitation

What is Animal Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation?
Physical rehabilitation for pets applies 100 years of human evidence-based therapy techniques to our animal patients to restore optimal function after injury or disease. Our physical therapists have pioneered the use of physical therapy methods to help minimize disability and prevent further deterioration by providing client education and individualized home-care programs, neurological rehabilitation, orthopedic injury treatment, pain management, sports medicine for the animal athlete, wound care, weight loss, wellness and prevention programs, and non-surgical options.

How Will My Pet Benefit From Physical Rehabilitation?
Physical rehabilitation can restore, maintain, and promote proper function and mobility for your pet. It can enhance recovery after surgery or illness, reduce pain, increase circulation, and improve coordination and range of motion. Rehabilitation keeps geriatric patients more comfortable by easing the aches and pains associated with the golden years (aging). Individualized and professionally guided treatment programs are developed to address your pet’s specific needs.

Is My Pet A Candidate For Physical Rehabilitation?
Pets of all ages, sizes, and breeds can benefit from physical rehabilitation. Physical rehabilitation can help improve the quality of life for any animal suffering from chronic pain, arthritis, obesity, poor health, or muscle weakness. We can advise you on when to start a rehabilitation program and will develop a customized program for your pet.

Who Should Perform Physical Rehabilitation?
Ideally, physical rehabilitation on pets should be performed by a qualified physical therapist or veterinarian who has additional training in animal rehabilitation. Our doctors and therapists work in collaboration with VCA board certified specialists and/or your family veterinarian to provide preventive care and rehabilitation for your best friend.

The benefits of physical rehabilitation include:

• Decreasing pain
• Improving circulation, strength and endurance
• Reducing inflammation
• Enhancing post-surgical or post-illness recovery
• Improving function of weak or paralyzed limbs
• Promoting healing of injured or inflamed tissues
• Restoring joint range of motion
• Preventing muscle atrophy
• Early return to functional activities
• Improving quality of life
• Positive psychological effect (for pet and owner)

Services Offered:

• Client Education
• Custom Home Care Programs and appropriate progression of activities
• Custom Orthotics and Prosthetics
• Cart Fittings / Assistive Devices
• Cold / Heat Applications
• Conformation Assessments
• Athletic Injury Screens and Preventative Fitness Programs
• Manual Therapy
• Neuromuscular Re-Education
• Gait Analysis and Training
• Pain Management
• Hydrotherapy (Underwater Treadmill)
• Therapeutic Exercise, such as Spinal Stabilization Techniques, Proprioception, Balance and Coordination
• Strengthening and Appropriate Progression of Exercise Plan
• Modalities: Laser Therapy, Ultrasound, Electrical Stimulation

Conditions That Respond To Rehabilitation
While physical rehabilitation is most often thought of in conjunction with recovery from a muscle, bone, or joint injury, there are many conditions that respond well to physical rehabilitation therapy:

Orthopedic Conditions

• Arthritis
• Cranial Cruciate Ligament Tears/Rupture
• Hip/Elbow Dysplasia
• Patellar Luxations
• Osteochrondritis Dissecans
• Soft Tissue Injuries (e.g., bicipital tendonitis, iliopsoas strains, carpal hyperextension)
• Post-Surgical and Fracture Recovery
• Amputations

Neurologic Conditions

• Intervertebral Disk and Wobbler’s Disease
• Degenerative Myelopathy
• Lumbosacral Disease
• Brain Injuries
• FCE (fibrocartilagenous embolism)
• Back and Neck Pain
• Vestibular Disease
• Nerve Injuries

General Health/Wellness/Other

• Obesity/Weight Loss
• Post-Disease/Injury Reconditioning
• Cardiovascular Fitness
• Athletic Conditioning/Performance Problems
• Gait Abnormalities
• Wound Care (e.g., lick granulomas, degloving injuries and decubitus ulcers)
• Geriatric Support Care
• Non-Surgical Options
• Critical (or Intensive) Care Patients

Physical therapy can help with athletic conditioning and improve performance.

Stifle orthosis as a non-surgical option for cranial cruciate rupture.

Electrical stimulation applied to quadriceps muscles.

Ruby post amputation and donning her prosthetic

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make payments instead of having to pay all at once?

Unfortunately, we do not offer payment plans. Payment is due at the time of service. We do offer Care Credit, a medical credit card, that offers a number of interest free and extended payment options.
 

You may apply at www.carecredit.com or in person at our hospital.
 

We also encourage you to explore the option of pet insurance or a medical savings account for your pet. Pet insurance plans still require you to pay the hospital up front and wait for reimbursement, so being prepared is key.
 

Do I need a referral from my regular veterinarian to see a specialist?

While we encourage you to always involve your regular veterinarian in the decision to seek specialty care, you are not required to have a referral in order to make an appointment. We will contact your veterinarian to obtain your pets recent medical records.
 

Whether you have been referred, are seeking a second opinion or need services your regular veterinarian doesn't provide, we would be happy to help.
 

Services Offered in Rehabilitation

• Physical Rehabilitation