Overview

Rehabilitation Therapy is a profession directed at evaluating, maintaining and restoring physical function and movement. Veterinary rehabilitation therapy is defined as the use of non-invasive techniques, excluding veterinary chiropractic, for the rehabilitation of injuries in non-human animals.

The physiological benefits of rehabilitation therapy include reduction of muscle atrophy, earlier resolution of inflammation, improved joint hematosis and biomechanics, promotion of wound healing and earlier functional return.

What is Rehabilitation Therapy?

Rehabilitation Therapy involves the use of various modalities to treat, heal, and prevent injuries and disabilities in your pet.  It is a process of helping your pet achieve the highest level of function, independence, and quality of life.

The process of Rehabilitation Therapy is an active one.  This means that you and your pet play an integral role in the success of the therapy.  It is a daily commitment that requires you to work with our rehabilitation therapist to safely put your pet through various treatments to encourage improvement.  Although the rate of improvement is varied among animals and conditions, the hard work, patience, and commitment from you and your pet are highly rewarding.

How is Rehabilitation Therapy Helpful?

Taking part in a rehabilitation program has been shown to:

·         Improve muscle mass and prevent muscle atrophy.

·         Improve muscle endurance

·         Improve  joint function and range of motion

·         Increase joint stability,

·         Improve weight bearing

·         Reduce the progression of osteoarthritis. 

·         Reduced need for pain medication

·         Reduced pain, and swelling.

·         Improve cardiorespiratory endurance

·         Improve psychological well-being

In short, rehabilitation therapy accelerates your pet's recovery and helps to ensure the best long-term prognosis.    

What Modalities are Used?

·         Hydrotherapy

·         Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

·         Laser Therapy

·         Cryotherapy & Thermotherapy

·         Therapeutic Exercises

·         Massage

What makes Hydrotherapy  Beneficial?

·         Buoyancy aids in the rehabilitation of weak and painful muscles and joints by reducing the amount of weight-bearing on joints and allowing your pet to exercises with greater comfort.

·         Hydrostatic Pressure helps to treat and prevent swelling in the extremities and decrease pain during exercise,

·         Resistance & Viscosity of the water helps to support your pets joints in the water which creates a safe exercises environment.  It also helps to  strengthen muscles and improve cardiovascular fitness

·         Warm water  increases blood flow to promote healing of joints and tissues

When is Rehabilitation Therapy effective?

Post-surgery recovery from neurological conditions (i.e. disk herniation, FCE, spinal cord trauma, spinal fracture)

Post-surgery recovery from orthopaedic conditions

(i.e. cruciate ligament repair, fracture repair, joint reconstruction or replacement)

Recovery from acute joint or soft tissue injuries

Ongoing care of chronic degenerative diseases (i.e. osteoarthritis)

General fitness and weight loss

Building muscle strength and endurance for sport