Sports medicine and rehabilitation is a recognized specialty in veterinary medicine. It applies techniques adopted from human physical therapy to treat a variety of muscle, bone and nerve conditions in animals. At Port Hope Veterinary Hospital, we provide rehabilitation to pets for:
- Arthritis
- Post-orthopaedic surgery
- Nerve injury and spinal cord disease
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Geriatric fitness
- Recovery from sports injury
The goal of rehabilitation therapy is to improve general physical wellness by relieving pain, restoring mobility, maintaining or expanding function and preventing injury.
Our facility is led by a veterinarian certified in canine rehabilitation therapy by the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. We strive to improve your pet’s quality of life by a holistic approach that considers both physical and mental well-being. Therapy is tailored to a patient’s individual needs.
Like physical therapy in humans, veterinary rehabilitation is rarely a one-time consultation and treatment. Several visits and multiple therapeutic approaches are needed to achieve the best outcome.
Among the services available are:
- Exercises
- Joint mobilization
- Massage
- Therapeutic laser
- Electrical stimulation
- Acupressure
- Cryotherapy and Thermotherapy
- Weight counselling
- Regenerative Medicine
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Physical therapy delivers a customized program of exercises that act to strengthen muscles, maintain range of motion, and re-educates the nervous system. Commonly used tools include exercise balls, cavaletti poles, blocks, balance discs, rocker and wobble boards. Manual therapies such as passive range of motion, soft tissue massage and joint mobilization, is frequently combined with therapeutic exercises. Benefits to muscle, bone and nerve conditions include pain reduction, increased strength, faster recovery from injury / surgery, and improved mobility and function.
THERAPEUTIC LASER
Low-level laser therapy is a safe, painless and drug-free form of rehabilitation. It can be used by itself or with other treatment types. Laser light is used to reduce swelling, decrease pain, increase blood ow and shorten healing time. Laser therapy is beneficial to broken bones, sprains, strains, arthritis, hip and elbow dysplasia, and intervertebral disc disease.
It also benefits skin conditions such as lick granulomas, anal gland abscesses, hot spots, ear infections and wounds.
ELECTRICAL STIMULATION
During electrical stimulation, low levels of electrical current from small portable units are transmitted into target tissues. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation can be used to prevent muscle degeneration or strengthen muscles, whereas transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation reduces pain. Both options are available at our facility.
Our goal is not only to improve the physical condition of your pet, but to also strengthen the pet-owner bond. We are pleased to accept new patients either by referral or direct appointment at the Port Hope Veterinary Hospital. Contact us by phone (905.885.4525) or email (rehab@porthopevet.com) to discuss how rehabilitation therapy may benefit your pet.
