CUSTOMIZED THERAPY

Warm-water Treadmill

It may seem unusual at first to see dogs or cats walking on a treadmill and submerged in warm water, but this hydro-therapy technique is used in the recovery process for several different reasons and yields multiple benefits.

The thermal benefit of the warm water increases blood flow to areas that need to heal, relieves pain and relaxes muscles and connective tissue, allowing for deeper stretches and a wider range of motion during exercise speeding up the recovery process and reducing the risk of re-injury.

The water is integral to an injury-free and fast recovery, because it allows animals to build back strength, range of motion and endurance while walking on the treadmill with lower impact on their body. This is important for animals with osteoarthritis needing to lose weight as well as dogs and cats recovering from muscle therapy, geriatric care, soft-tissue injuries, postoperative fractures, neurologic impairment, and loss of limbs. A warm-water treadmill can help pets with everything from strength building to weight loss and is beneficial to pets with aching joints.

Balance Board

The balance board is used as a low unstable surface. The patient is asked to put one or more paws on the board to improve balance and strengthen stabilizer muscles.

Cavelattis

With the cavaletti poles, the patient is asked to step over the cavaletti without touching them for the purpose of enhancing proprioceptive balance, strengthening the flexor muscles, and elongating the length of the stride.

Endless Pool

Swimming in the endless pool elicits a greater active range of motion in the shoulders and elbows compared to land walking. Aquatic therapy increases the comprehensive challenge to coordination, balance, cardiopulmonary endurance and is an excellent resource for the non-ambulatory patient.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be performed on all species of animals, from dogs and cats, horses and cattle, to exotics. Typically, a patient is treated once a week, and a positive response is observed between the first and fourth treatment. Chronic conditions may need three to six treatments for a maximum response and are then tapered to two to four treatments per year. Treatments may last up to 30 minutes, though the length and frequency of treatment depends upon the condition of the patient.

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Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

The TENS unit can decrease pain and inflammation by providing a low-level electrical current which disrupts the normal pain perception pathways.

Therabands

Resistance bands are used frequently for stretching and exercise in humans, and now we have found a way to help animals benefit with the use of therabands. Therabands are incredibly simple, but they are also extremely effective at muscle strengthening. They also assist in boosting stamina, increasing flexibility and improving range of motion.

Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Assistive Devices

We are able to guide you through the process of acquiring custom-fitted devices such as splints, braces, carts and even prosthetic limbs. Once the customized device arrives, our team will make sure everything is fitted appropriately and help to train your pet on how to maneuver in their new device.

Cold Laser Therapy

Cold laser therapy is a state-of-the art treatment that uses light photons to penetrate the affected area. This helps to decrease pain, swelling, and inflammation. Laser therapy is useful in post-operative and arthritic patients and improves healing times for injuries and wounds. Laser therapy is quick, non-painful, and non-invasive.