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Rehabilitation at CVETS
Our veterinary rehabilitation program focuses on enhancing the physical function of pets following injury, surgery, or chronic conditions.
Rapid Recovery for Your Pets.
Veterinary rehabilitation is a specialized field that employs a variety of therapeutic modalities, including therapeutic exercises, hydrotherapy, massage, and laser therapy to aid in pain relief, improve mobility, and promote overall well-being.
Improving Pet Well-Being.
Whether your pet is recovering from surgery, receiving chemo treatments, or has a chronic condition, our rehab services are designed to enhance your pet’s overall well-being.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is a therapeutic treatment that involves exercising in water to help with rehabilitation and recovery. For pets and people alike, the buoyancy of the water makes movements easier and less painful, which is especially helpful for those recovering from injuries or surgeries, or for those with arthritis. In hydrotherapy sessions, patients walk on our specialty treadmill submerged in water. This type of therapy not only helps to strengthen muscles and improve joint flexibility, but it can also make the rehabilitation process more enjoyable and less stressful for the animal. Overall, hydrotherapy is a gentle and effective way to support healing and fitness.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a treatment that involves exposing the body to very cold temperatures for a short period of time. The idea is to use the cold to help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and speed up healing. At CVETS, we utilize Game Ready cold & compression therapy units that chill and wrap around the patient’s body in the affected areas.
Thermotherapy
Thermotherapy is a treatment that uses heat to help relieve pain and promote healing in the body. It involves applying gentle heat to the affected areas.
Laser Therapy
- MedcoVet Luma Laser: This is a rentable Class 1 laser therapy that patients can use daily at home. This therapy is used to improve healing time in post-op patients, provide adjunct pain control, improve blood flow, and expedite healing. It is a low level laser, which means it can be used daily.
- Visit https://medcovet.com/ for more information or ask a rehab team member if this treatment may be useful for your dog or cat.
- Companion Animal Health Class 4 Laser: This modality effectively treats a wide variety of conditions that include pre-surgical, post-surgical, acute, and chronic disease states.
- Visit https://companionanimalhealth.com/laser-therapy for more information.
- Cold laser therapy: This therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to penetrate tissues and stimulate cellular activity, promoting healing and reducing pain and inflammation.
Regenerative Therapies
Regenerative therapies in veterinary rehabilitation involve a range of advanced treatments aimed at promoting healing and regeneration of tissues, reducing pain, and restoring function in injured or degenerated areas of the musculoskeletal system in animals. These therapies leverage the body’s natural healing capabilities, often using cutting-edge techniques to enhance recovery from injuries or surgeries. Here are some key regenerative therapies commonly utilized in veterinary rehabilitation:
Examples:
- AlphaFlo®: AlphaFlo® is a special tissue treatment for dogs that helps support and protect their tissues. It’s designed to be safe and less invasive than other options, with a lower risk of problems.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: PRP therapy involves collecting a sample of the animal’s blood and processing it to concentrate the platelets. It can be injected directly into affected tissues to stimulate healing and reduce inflammation.
- Acupuncture and Integrative Approaches: Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine practice, involves inserting needles into specific points to promote healing and balance within the body. Acupuncture can be a valuable adjunct in conjunction with other regenerative therapies, especially for pain management and enhancing the recovery process.
Massage and Manual Therapy
Massage and manual therapy for pets are techniques used to help relieve pain, improve flexibility, and promote overall well-being in animals. Massage therapy for pets involves gently rubbing and kneading their muscles and soft tissues. It’s similar to how people get massages to relax and feel better.
Manual therapy is a bit more specialized. It includes hands-on techniques to help improve movement and relieve joint pain. This can involve stretching or mobilizing different joints and tissues.
Fitness & Diet Management
Therapeutic exercises are designed to help pets recover from injuries, surgery, or conditions like arthritis or neurological issues. They focus on improving mobility, strength, and pain management.
Examples:
- Range of Motion Exercises: Gentle movements that help maintain or improve joint flexibility.
- Strengthening Exercises: Using resistance to build muscle strength, especially in affected limbs.
- Balance and Coordination Exercises: Activities that promote stability and help prevent falls.
Meal and diet management is tailored to meet each pet’s specific health and recovery needs. It aims to promote healing, prevent obesity, and enhance overall health and fitness. Close collaboration between the pet owner and Dr. Dunphy is essential to success in this aspect of rehabilitation.
Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasounds
Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound is a valuable imaging technique that provides real-time visualization. This allows Dr. Dunphy to assess musculoskeletal conditions effectively and make more informed treatment decisions.
Integrative Pet Medicine
In addition to leading our rehabilitation department, Dr. Erica Dunphy also offers Integrative Pet Medicine therapies at CVETS. Integrative medicine harmonizes conventional and complementary therapies to foster a holistic approach that enhances overall health and well-being.
Meet Our Veterinary Rehabilitation Doctor
