Veterinary Rehabilitation

Here at Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod we are lucky enough to be just minutes away from a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner. Rehabilitation is an important part of the healing process after an injury or surgery. In fact, animals receiving rehabilitation have been shown to heal faster than animals left to heal on their own. Rehabilitation can also restore function to the injured area and decrease pain.

In conjunction with visits to the pet's primary care veterinarian, rehabilitation can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, some of which are listed below:

• Osteoarthritis




• Obesity




• Vestibular disorders




• Hip or elbow dysplasia




• Cruciate injuries




• Back injuries




• Fractures




• Tendon, nerve, or muscle injuries




• Patellar luxation
  

If your pet has any of the above conditions or has trouble getting up or lying down, you may want to consider seeing a rehabilitation practitioner.

If you choose rehabilitation for your pet, the rehabilitation specialist will decide which treatments will be best for your pet's recovery. Often these treatments will be similar to those used in human rehabilitation, such as therapeutic massage, acupuncture, passive range of motion and stretching exercises, or thermotherapy. Your rehabilitation practitioner may also use a specialized piece of equipment during your pet's rehabilitation. These types of treatments can include therapeutic ultrasound, neuromuscular or transcutaneous electrical stimulation, and pulsed magnetic therapy. Many pets also benefit from hydrotherapy because as they swim, they can exercise their muscles without putting too much strain on their joints. In addition to a hydrotherapy pool, veterinary rehabilitation facilities frequently have an underwater treadmill (like the one in the picture below) that provides the pet with low-impact exercise.

If you would like more information on bringing your pet to a veterinary rehabilitation practitioner, speak with your veterinarian or come see us here at Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod.