STEP 1

Question 1

Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Program

Answer

The old saying 'move it or lose it' is true in the fact that the body needs to move in order to function properly. However, simply running your dog or throwing the ball is not ideal for your pet undergoing rehab and may in fact worsen the condition. At the Veterinary Mobility Center, our trained therapists will design, implement and follow through with a specific exercise program targeted to increase range of motion, flexibility, endurance, strength and proprioception (body awareness). Exercise can increase your dogs recovery rate, increase functional independence and will keep working and sport dogs at their peak performance level.

Question 2

Manual/Myofascial Therapy

Answer

Massage and manual therapy is an important part of the rehab patient care. Both Dr. Tara Hudye and Kristen Moore have received specialized training in this treatment and its benefits are numerous. Clients have referred to this as 'healing with our hands'. Manual therapy can improve joint range of motion, increase circulation and enhance soft tissue mobility. Benefits include: 1) Ischemia is a lack of blood supply to soft tissues which causes trigger points and hypersensitivity. Manual therapy will release tight and sore muscles that can often lead to ischemia if not treated. 2) Helps to decrease nerve compression and entrapment. 3) Improves circulation which is vital and important for overall health. Blood and lymph flow carry nutrition to the cells in your pets body and then carry away the waste to be eliminated from the cells. Massage will encourage circulation and increase the exchange of nutrients at the cellular level which results in increased detoxification. 4) Deactivation of trigger points. These points are areas of high neurological activity and research suggests can be responsible for up to 74% of everyday pain. 5) Decreases pain and inflammation 6) Increases flexibility and range of motion of the joints. This is done by reducing the hypertonicity and hypotonicity of the muscles to allow for the normal range of motion to be restored. This also will reduce the force on the joint capsule and decreases the potential for joint and disk degeneration.

Question 3

Prosthetic & Orthotics/Orthopets

Answer

Custom fit braces are a successful option for joint instability, ligament injury and partial limb amputations. As a V-OP provider (Veterinary Orthotic and Prosthetic Provider), we are experienced and knowledgeable to know if your pet is a candidate for a custom device. As an affiliate clinic, OrthoPets Canadian Prairies, we will work with you throughout the entire process and get your pet walking and running again! Visit the Orthopet Canadian Prairies tab for more information!

Question 4

Hydrotherapy- Underwater Treadmill

Answer

In our rehab department, we not only have one, but TWO underwater treadmills to meet all of our patients needs. Hydrotherapy refers to the therapy of water on the body. Hydrotherapy uses the buoyancy, resistance, pressure and the viscosity of water to improve physiological functioning and provide cardiovascular conditioning and physical rehabilitation. The quickest way to recover from injury and pain is to start the rehab process but, too often the pet is in too much pain at the time and this impacts the ability to start. This pain can be dramatically decreased or eliminated in the water because it decrases the weight bearing on joints. How does it provide rehabilitation? - Buoyancy lessens the weight placed on animals' limbs, reducing pain. - Hydrostatic pressure reduces inflammation and increases circulation. - Changing the water level also changes the resistance and buoyancy to target individual muscle groups and specific injuries. - Warm water temperature assists in increasing blood flow to injured areas and will increase range of motion in your pet. - Muscle conditioning in water is an effective way to build up cardiovascular strength and endurance. What conditions can be treated through Hydrotherapy? - Arthritis - Muscle stiffness and atrophy (muscle loss) - Spinal injuries and neurological disorders - Loss of range of motion - orthopedic injuries - Paralysis - Hip dysplasia - Weight problems

Question 5

Acupuncture/Electroacupuncture

Answer

Acupuncture is derived from the ancient Chinese technique that utilizes the insertion of sterile needles in specific points in the body that stimulates the nervous system and decreases pain. Acupuncture points are rich with nerves and blood vessels. When the needle stimulates the nerves at the acupuncture point, chemical substances are released which aid in repairing damaged tissue. Blood circulation is improved and the release of pain relieving hormone, seratonin, greatly decreases the pain in your pet. Acupuncture can be used in both acute and chronic conditions, including: Disc disease (IVDD) Back pain Arthritis Post surgical Nerve conditions (degenerative myelopathy, cauda equina, paralysis) Muscle and tendon injury Acupuncture treatments can be done alone as a treatment, or in conjunction with manual myofascial treatment and rehab sessions. Basically, we use acupuncture in any patient we feel would benefit from its healing and pain relieving effects. Most of our patients get very sleepy or even fall asleep during the treatment!

Question 6

Laser Therapy

Answer

Laser therapy uses light energy to reduce pain, increase metabolic activity, and facilitate healing. The light from the laser is absorbed by the cells within the tissue, which activates cell reproduction and growth. Laser therapy also simulates the suppression of nerve cells and the release of endorphins, helping to decrease pain and discomfort. Benefits of Laser therapy - Accelerated tissue repair and cell growth - Anti-inflammation - Enhances wound healing - Increased nerve functioning - Reduced scar tissue - Enhancing immune cells to combat pathogens - Drug free solution to pain relief When can Laser Therapy be used? - Tendon/ligament injuries - Arthritis - Muscle spasms - Inflammation - Post-operative care - Wounds - Swollen joints - Capsulitis - Tendonitis - Burns - Insect bites - Fractures - Hot spots

Question 7

Pulsed Electrical Magnetic (PEMF) Therapy

Answer

PEMF utilizes bursts of low level electromagnetic radiation to decrease pain caused from injury and heal damaged tissue, muscle and bone. Using specialized equipment, your pet can be managed with PEMF therapy both at the clinic and at home.

Question 8

Sports Assessment and Conditioning

Answer

Much like humans, animals involved in sport activities can benefit from personalized conditioning programs to help them perform at their best. Your animal will be assessed and based on their activity or sport, discuss the rehabilitation program to help functionality and prevent injury. Our ultimate goal is to help your pet play their sport for as long as possible, to their best potential and prevent injury through specific exercise strengthening, warm up and cool down programming. Athletic journies we have been proud to be part of include: Herding Flyball Agility Barn hunt Sprinting Dog sledding Disc Dock jumping Show and ring competition

Question 9

Ultrasound Therapy

Answer

Ultrasound waves are produced by synthetic crystals that vibrate at a particular frequency which can, then, penetrate the skin. We use a therapeutic ultrasound as part of our rehab service. This helps to reduce pain and inflammation, increase circulation and increase mobility of soft tissues; increasing the chances of healing. Ultrasound therapy can help with a variety of injuries, including: Ligament and tendon injury Muscle contracture Cruciate injury Meniscal damage Arthritis Medial collaterol ligament injury (MCL)

Question 10

Weight Loss Programs

Answer

It is shown that overweight animals are more prone to certain injuries and can have shortened life spans. The single most important factor for decreasing arthritic pain is weight control. A joint that is supporting extra body weight will undergo unnecessary and additional pressure which will expediate degenerative changes. Additionally, fat creates pro-inflammatory chemical changes that can lead to even more degeneration of joints! Regular exercise along with proper nutrition can help your pet achieve an ideal body weight. Many of our patients are very sore and painful with arthritis, which has led to inactivity and weight gain. So, simply telling you to increase exercise may not always work! We will create a customized hydrotherapy exercise program targeted to decreasing pressure on the joints, allowing your pet to move and exercise with less pain. Less pain means more movement and ultimately more weight loss. We also will work with you to determine the caloric nutrition that is needed to optimize weight loss. This may mean changing your pets diet, but often we work with your current diet to meet these nutrition requirments. Let our trained staff help you along your pets weight loss journey and help maintain appropriate muscle mass.

We work with you to help your pet.