Natural Veterinary Therapy

Physical Rehabilitation

We recommend rehabilitation for animals that have:

Pain

Paralysis - from trauma or spinal surgery

Inflammation

Hip dsyplasia

Elbow dysplasia

Arthritis

Strained muscles

Torn ligaments

Orthopedic surgery (before and after)

Physical rehabilitation can help animals that have had spinal surgery and need to learn to walk again. This also helps animals who will undergo orthopedic surgery; helping them to maintain muscle mass and cardiovascular condition before the surgery. After surgery, rehabilitation speeds up recovery and helps return animal to normal function. 

The underwater treadmill is excellent as a weight loss program, especially for animals who are too uncomfortable to walk due to an concurrent injury or painful disorder. Many older, arthritic, painful patients benefit greatly from the underwater treadmill.

Our certified canine rehabilitation practitioner, whose in-depth examination includes a limb evaluation and gait analysis, uses several different modalities:

Hydrotherapy utilizes a FERNO underwater treadmill.

The water is kept between 90 - 92 degrees—a therapeutic temperature that relaxes the muscles. Because of the water’s buoyancy, animals can perform low-impact exercises that ease mobility, increase strength, and decrease pain. This helps the body retrain itself to walk correctly. The pressure of the water also helps reduce swelling and inflammation.

Physio balls help stretch the legs and warm the muscles without the animal bearing any weight.

Cavaletti therapy bars re-train the body to have proper gait and help strengthen muscles.

* To maximize results of the rehabilitation; acupuncture, electrostimulation, chiropractic, and massage are also incorporated into the program.

Strength training 

Strength training using any of these modalities is available for competitive show or agility dogs. 

 Sammie during weight loss program on physio ball (and purring).

 Simone strength training on land treadmill.

Mahina enjoying her underwater treadmill maintenance program after spinal surgery.

 

Wylie after spinal surgery in underwater treadmill.