Rehabilitation
for Dogs
and Cats
Expedite Healing, Increase Mobility, Enhance Quality of Life
Rehabilitation is very similar to physical therapy for humans. We use rehabilitation to help pets regain function and return to the activities they love most. Our rehab programs are specifically designed for each individual patient. Whether your pet has been injured, undergone surgery, is overweight, or struggling with arthritis, rehab has been shown to help improve these conditions and allow for faster healing to enhance their quality of life.
Benefits of rehab include:
- Increase muscle strength, agility, flexibility, and coordination
- Restore Mobility
- Improve range of motion of joints
- Decrease pain/swelling
- Reduce the risk of re-injury
- Promote physical and mental well-being
The modalities we use for rehabilitation:
- Acupuncture - insertion of fine needles at specific points relieves pain, improves circulation and promotes healing of various health conditions
- Aquatic therapy with an underwater treadmill
- At-home exercise plans and videos
- Cryotherapy - (ice) is used during the initial phase of an injury (72 hours) in order to minimize tissue damage, pain, and swelling
- Custom brace fitting and ordering (Achilles tendon tears, ACL tears, cranial cruciate ligament tears, carpal/ankle braces, etc.)
- Custom wheelchair and cart fitting and ordering
- Heat therapy – applying heat results in an increase of blood flow, which brings fresh nutrients and oxygen to the injury. The flowing blood also removes toxins in the damaged body part.
- Laser therapy – low level lasers stimulate cell function and accelerates healing, effectively treating inflammation, pain, and wounds in pets
- Neuromuscular Electrical stimulation (E-stim/TENS) – to help prevent muscle atrophy, increase local blood circulation, and maintain or increase joint mobility
- Phovia Fluorescent Light Therapy – to accelerate tissue repair (mostly for dermatology conditions)
- Therapeutic massage - manipulation of muscles, tendons, fascia, and ligaments
Both cats and dogs can improve from rehabilitation. We can even place cats in our underwater treadmill for not only improving gait, but also balance by using our equipment in hospital. Some actually enjoy it!
Conditions treated with rehabilitation:
- ANNPE (acute non-compressive nucleus pulpous extrusion)
- Degenerative joint disease or arthritis
- FCE (Fibrocartilaginous embolism)
- Hip dysplasia
- Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
- Nerve disorders
- Obesity
- Paralysis/paresis
- Post-operative orthopedic surgery
- Post-operative spinal surgery
- Spinal injuries or spinal surgeries
- Tendon/ligament/muscle injury
- Traumatic injuries
Rehabilitation services are led by Alyssa Carver, DVM, Certified Veterinary Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP) through the University of Tennessee’s prestigious program. Clients can schedule a consult with Dr. Carver by calling in to AEHV (Ormond Beach location only). This appointment lasts approximately 30 minutes to one hour depending on the type of condition we are treating. Pets who have their surgery within our hospital will receive 10% off their in-patient rehab program.
Call to schedule your pet’s rehab appointment today.
