Rehab Evaluations

These appointments are for animals with orthopedic or neurological problems, weight management issues, or in need of conditioning. Appointments are also available for healthy animals and working dogs whose guardians are seeking ways of keeping their animals fit and preventing orthopedic conditions in the future. During these appointments a variety of topics may be discussed including diet, exercise, massage, supplements, and specific therapies for treating your pet's medical condition.

Hydrotherapy and Underwater Treadmill Therapy

Water therapy is a great form of exercise for all animals, especially those with orthopedic and neurological conditions.

The benefits of hydrotherapy include:

• Less stress on the animal's joints due to the buoyancy of water which allows them to exercise without pain
• Allows unbalanced and weak animals to stand without falling
• Weak animals can move their body with greater ease
• The resistance of the water helps to improve strength
• Improves cardiovascular function

The underwater treadmill is incorporated into many of our rehab programs. It provides us with a controlled environment that can be adjusted to the patient's needs, including water height, treadmill speed, use of an incline, and use of jets for added resistance. Deep water swimming (in a pool or lake) may be recommended for those patients in a more advanced stage of the rehab process, as it is a more strenuous form of exercise.

At VHRC, the water is kept around 90 degrees which keeps our patients comfortable and provides the added benefits of heat therapy.

Pulsed Signal Therapy (PST)

To fully understand how Pulsed Signal Therapy works, there must be a basic understanding of the normal mechanisms within a healthy joint. Healthy joint cartilage is surrounded by an electrical field that is formed under load (or during weight bearing) when fluid containing hydrogen ions is pushed through the cartilage matrix. This movement of ions (also called "streaming potentials") helps to maintain the components of cartilage (including proteoglycans), and stimulate its regeneration, repair, and maintenance after it has been damaged. In a damaged joint, the production of streaming potentials is reduced and therefore lacks the continual stimulus to repair, maintain, and regenerate the cartilage components.

Pulsed Signal Therapy uses electrical signals emitted in a rhythmic fashion and at certain intervals to emulate the body's natural electrical impulses. These impulses stimulate the body's natural repair and regeneration mechanisms.

PST is used to treat osteoarthritis, immune mediated arthritis (rheumatoid), and tendonitis; it stimulates fracture healing and wound healing; and breaks down scar tissue post-surgery or injury. Scientific research has shown that PST significantly improves mobility and relieves pain in human patients.

PST is a great alternative for animals that cannot tolerate anti-inflammatory medications and for cats and exotic animals that may not tolerate prolonged handling or manipulation. It is painless and has no known side effects. Each treatment lasts for 30 minutes and there are a total of 9 sessions. For more information, visit www.pstvet.com.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient form of human medicine that has been traced back to the Stone Age. The first records of veterinary acupuncture are dated around 650 BCE. Acupuncture is the insertion of thin metal needles into very specific anatomic locations on the body called acupuncture points. Acupuncture points are chosen based upon the condition being treated and the desired physiological effects.

So how does acupuncture work? There are 2 different explanations. 1)According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, disease is an inbalance in the flow of energy through channels in the body called meridians. Acupuncture is used to re-establish this balance of energy. 2)Scientific research has proven that acupuncture points contain nerve bundles, clusters of blood vessels, and increased numbers of mast cells (which release histamine and other chemicals when stimulated). The stimulation of acupuncture points causes local irritation and inflammation resulting in the release of various chemicals in the body. Some of the chemicals being released include endorphins and enkephalins (the body's natural pain killers) which help block the pain pathways and can explain why acupuncture is used as a form of analgesia.

There are several methods of acupuncture:

• Traditional dry needling
• Aquapuncture-injecting Vitamin B 12 into acupuncture points. We commonly use this method in our exotic animal patients to reduce the stress of prolonged handling and needling time in these sensitive, sometimes wild, species.
• Electroacupuncture-using an electrical current between the acupuncture points for additional stimulation.
• Moxabustion-an herb, called Artemesia vulgaris, is burned and is used to heat the acupuncture points directly or by heating the acupuncture needles.

The benefits of acupuncture include:

• Prevents disease
• Balances energy
• Supports the immune system
• Relieves pain
• Stimulates nerve regeneration
• Reduces muscle spasms
• Increases circulation

At VHRC, we use acupuncture in healthy animals for disease prevention and in sick animals with a variety of orthopedic and neurologic conditions, as well as acute, chronic, and terminal illnesses.

Massage

Massage is incorporated into our therapy for its effects on the health and psychological well-being of our patients.

The benefits of massage include:

• Reduces pain
• Improves circulation
• Stimulates the lymphatic system and reduces edema
• Decreases anxiety and stress
• Reduces muscles spasms and painful trigger points
• Breaks down adhesions or scar tissue
• Supports the immune system

Our massage treatments are performed in a comfortable setting with padded bedding, dimmed lighting, and relaxing music.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is the use of ice or a cold gel pack over an injured area. Cryotherapy is typically used in animals with acute inflammation, acute injuries, or post-operatively within 0-72 hours following the injury. It is also used following exercise to prevent inflammation from occurring. Cryotherapy is used up to 4 times daily to affected areas.

The benefits of cryotherapy include:

• Constriction of blood vessels which reduces bleeding
• Reduces swelling
• Decreases pain
• Decreases muscle spasms
• Speeds healing

Heat Therapy

Heat therapy is the use of a warm gel pack over an injured area. Heat is typically used after 72 hours from the time of injury or surgery, and for chronic conditions. Heat can be used up to 4 times daily to affected areas.

The benefits of heat include:

• Decreases pain
• Decreases muscle spasms
• Reduces inflammation
• Increases blood flow to injured area
• Increases extensibility of collagen and thus improves stretching
• Speeds healing

Neuromuscular Stimulation

Neuromuscular Stimulation (NMES) is the use of an electrical current to stimulate a muscle contraction. This current is delivered through electrodes that are applied to the skin over a muscle or muscle group.

NMES is used for:

• Strengthening a particular muscle or muscle group in animals with muscle atrophy
• Preventing muscle atrophy post-surgery or injury before the animal has begun to use the limb
• Muscle re-education for animals that have neurological issues and are unable to walk

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is the use of an electrical current to treat pain. This current is delivered through electrodes that are applied to the skin over the painful area of the body.

TENS is used for:

• Acute and chronic pain
• Muscle spasms

Therapeutic Ultrasound

Therapeutic ultrasound is the use of sound of waves, produced by a vibrating crystal within the hand held probe, to produce various physiological effects.

The benefits of ultrasound include:

• Reduces pain and muscle spasms
• Increases extensibility of collagen and thus improves flexibility
• Improves wound healing
• Decreases scar tissue
• Improves circulation

Therapeutic Exercises

Therapeutic exercise is an important part of the rehab process. Being an imaginative therapist is just as important in order to motivate our animal patients to perform these exercises and to do so in an appropriate fashion. At VHRC, we try to learn what excites our patients, whether it be treats, toys, praise, or simply words of encouragement and use these enticements to achieve better performance.

There are a variety of exercises that we use during the rehab process. The type of exercises depends upon the patient's condition and our goals of therapy. Various types of exercises include:

• Supportive exercises-for animals that are unable to stand or support their own body weight. These exercises incorporate the use of harnesses, slings, and other methods of support to assist an animal with standing and supporting weight on their limbs.
• Proprioceptive/Balance training-for animals who are unbalanced and whose paws knuckle under secondary to a neurological condition. These exercises help teach our patients where to place their feet. These exercises may include the use of cavaletti rails (walking over beams at various heights), theraballs, balance boards, weave poles, weight shifting, etc.
• Assisted ambulation and gait training-for animals that can walk, but not independently. These animals may require some support or assistance with balance. These exercises incorporate the use of harnesses, slings, carts and other methods of support to assist an animal with walking and maintaining balance.
• Strengthening-the use of the land treadmill, underwater treadmill and a variety of exercises including resistive exercises using therabands, weights, stairs, ramps, dancing, wheelbarrowing, sit-to-stands, etc. These exercises are used to improve muscle strength and tone.
• Flexibility exercises-passive range of motion and joint mobilizations are used to improve the flexibility of an animal's joint. These exercises are used in animals with arthritis, decreased joint range of motion, and pain.
• Weight bearing exercises-the use of theraballs, underwater treadmill with water wings, weight shifting, etc. to improve the amount of weight that is placed on a limb. These exercises are used in lame animals post surgery, trauma, or injury to encourage increased weight bearing.

Land Treadmill

At VHRC, we use a land treadmill made specifically for dogs. The land treadmill is used for conditioning, weight management, and for animals at a more advanced stage of the rehab process. The land treadmill is used in pain-free animals for improving strength, balance, proprioception (placement of feet), and coordination.

Orthotics and Prosthetics

Orthotics is the science of splinting and brace making, and is primarily being used to provide limb stability, and for joint immobilization after surgery. Orthoses are being used for animals with limb deformities, carpal hyperextension, ligament injuries, and nerve damage (radial nerve paralysis, sciatic nerve damage, brachial plexus injuries). For example, amputation is no longer required for animals with radial nerve paralysis (a common condition in animals that are hit by cars). In this instance, a leg brace prevents dragging of the paw, prevents muscle contracture of the wrist, and provides the support needed for bearing weight on the limb. Use of a brace also allows time for the damaged nerve to heal without traumatizing the paw from dragging it.

Prosthetics is the science of making a device used to replace a missing part of the body. Prostheses are being used for animals with congenital or acquired limb deformities or animals requiring limb amputation due to trauma or bone cancer. Use of a prosthesis can return an animal to near normal function.

Orthoses and prostheses are made out of various materials including neoprene and various forms of plastic, depending upon the condition being treated and the activities of the animal. We even attempt to match our plastic devices to the animal's haircoat.

At VHRC, we have an experienced orthotist and prosthetist that has been working with animals for several years. He sees appointments out of our office on an as needed basis.

Carts/Wheelchairs

Carts improve the mobility of animals that are weak, paralyzed, or recovering from an injury or surgery. Carts are custom fit to the needs of our patients and are available for animals with two or four limbs affected.

Taking the appropriate measurements of your pet is important to ensure a proper fit. We are available to assist you with cart measurements and fittings.

Therapeutic Nutrition

At VHRC, we use diet along with vitamin and mineral supplementation as a form of therapy not only to maintain health, but to treat disease as well. Although therapeutic nutrition may take longer than traditional medications to achieve a desired outcome, ultimately it provides the body with a better support system to fight disease by supporting the immune system and enhancing the healing process.

The benefits of therapeutic nutrition include:

• Enhances cellular regeneration
• Boosts the immune system
• Improves enzymatic activity
• Promotes natural self-healing

Therapeutic nutrition is a key aspect of treatment in all of our patients with musculoskeletal conditions to chronic or terminal illnesses, such as cancer.

Reiki

Reiki (pronounced "ray-key") is an ancient healing method. The word Reiki means "Universal Life Force" describing the energy within all living beings. During Reiki therapy, healing energy is transferred from the giver to the patient to areas of the body that are energy depleted or unbalanced. Reiki can be used on both healthy and sick animals.

The benefits of Reiki include:

• Balances and replenishes vital energy in the body
• Promotes natural self-healing
• Relaxes and reduces stress
• Strengthens the immune system
• Relieves pain
• Heals holistically
• Prevents disease

At VHRC, Reiki is performed on our patients by a Reiki Master (the highest level of Reiki training). Reiki sessions are performed in a comfortable setting with padded bedding, dimmed lighting, and relaxing music.