Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation
What is Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation?
Veterinary physical rehabilitation, also known as canine rehabilitation, is a specialized field focused on improving and maintaining the physical well-being and quality of life of dogs through various therapeutic techniques. It encompasses a range of treatments and exercises designed to help dogs recover from injuries, surgeries, and degenerative conditions, as well as to manage chronic pain and improve overall mobility and strength.
At ComPAWssionate Care, we focus on senior pets. As animals age, they often encounter conditions like arthritis, degenerative joint disease, decreased mobility, muscle atrophy and muscle weakness. In response to these challenges, veterinary rehabilitation employs a combination of integrative pain management and therapeutic exercises to specifically target these issues.
How Rehabilitation Can Help Senior Pets
Pain Relief: Techniques like massage, manual therapy, laser and acupuncture help reduce pain and discomfort, improving the pet's overall comfort.
Improved Mobility: Rehabilitation exercises enhance joint flexibility and muscle strength, allowing older dogs to move more freely.
Enhanced Strength and Balance: Therapeutic exercises help build muscle mass and improve balance, reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
Increased Endurance: Regular physical activity tailored to the dog's abilities helps maintain cardiovascular health and stamina.
Mental Stimulation: Engaging in rehabilitation activities keeps senior pets mentally stimulated and can alleviate symptoms of cognitive decline.
Central to our approach is the cornerstone of veterinary rehabilitation – therapeutic exercises. These exercises are not one-size-fits-all; instead, they are meticulously customized to meet the unique needs of each individual pet. By focusing on improving balance, coordination, and strength, we empower senior pets to navigate their golden years with increased comfort and vitality.
What is Integrative Pain Management (IPM)?
As our beloved pets age, it's not uncommon for them to experience pain and discomfort from arthritis, joint problems, and other age-related conditions. At this stage, pain management becomes an essential part of their care. While traditional pain medications are effective, they can also have side effects that can be harmful to senior pets. That's where integrated veterinary medicine can provide a safe and effective alternative.
Integrated veterinary medicine is a holistic approach to animal healthcare that incorporates a wide range of treatments and therapies, including but not limited to:
Conventional Western medicine, such as surgery, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostic tests
Traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and food therapy
Spinal manipulation (aka. chiropractic care) and other physical therapies
Laser therapy (photobiomodulation)
Nutrition and dietary supplements
At our practice, we take a personalized approach to pain management for senior pets. We will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan that takes into account your pet's individual needs, their medical history and your own situation. By combining the best of both conventional and alternative therapies, we aim to provide the most effective, comprehensive care possible for your senior pet.
Some of the modalities we will use to treat your beloved pet include:
Spinal manipulation therapy (chiropractic care)
Laser therapy (photobiomodulation)
Goals and expectations
First and foremost, integrative pain management does NOT replace wellness care, routine physical exams or standard laboratory testing. They are an integrative service and therefore complementary to Western medicine. You pet is required to have an established relationship with a veterinarian for wellness exams, vaccinations, routine care and management of concurrent conditions. All previous medical history, including lab work and radiographs (X-rays) are still essential pieces of information that must be considered prior to the first session to develop a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Our goal is to provide your senior pet with an integrative pain management plan that can improve their quality of life.
While we would love to see your pet back to being 100% healthy again, no form of medicine (Western or Eastern) is 100% guaranteed and each case is unique and response varies among pets.
As a general rule, you should expect to see some improvement after the 6th session; however some pets require more, while some might need less (some respond with just one treatment!). The frequency of treatment will be determined based on your pet’s condition, while some cases will require 2 or more session per week initially, others will need to be treated once a month. Some conditions might require “maintenance” sessions.
The duration of the appointment varies depending on the pet, some require longer appointment times as they require slow movements and more time to relax.
Effective pain management is best achieved with multimodal strategies. Integrative medicine is very important to ensure your pet is getting the best possible care.
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