FAQ

Each patient’s rehabilitation begins with a consultation (approximately 1 hour) which involves a comprehensive orthopedic and neurological assessment and a measurement of muscle mass.  As well, your pet will be given a laser treatment, an introduction to the underwater treadmill (UTM), and an individualized plan of therapeutic exercises to be completed at home.

Follow-up rehab sessions occur once or twice a week and last approximately 45 minutes each.  These sessions will build on the initial framework, with adjustments made as needed session-by-session.  Sessions are available individually or as a package.

You will need to have a referral from your pet’s primary care veterinarian or surgeon prior to your rehab consultation, as well as provide any relevant medical history or diagnostic imaging.

Every animal’s situation is unique and will require a different duration of rehabilitation to complete.  Rehab sessions are available individually or in packages in order to help meet your pet’s needs.  Rehabilitation sessions remaining in a package which are no longer needed by your pet can be converted into laser or recreational swim sessions at no extra cost.

Rehabilitation (rehab for short) is a form of therapy that addresses injuries, post-surgery recovery, other orthopedic issues, and neurological problems.

Rehabilitation occurs with the goal of improving the animal’s health, including range of motion, physical condition, reduction of pain, and quality of life.  Various therapies are used to accomplish this, including the use of the underwater treadmill, laser therapy, and dry land exercises.

Absolutely!  Geriatric fitness is very important.  A geriatric fitness program can help to address sources of pain, improve strength and range of motion through low-weight-bearing exercises.  Both walking on the underwater treadmill and swimming in the pool provide gentle exercise in an environment that is supportive on your pet’s muscles and joints.

In addition to water-based exercise therapy, our geriatric fitness program also includes laser sessions and therapeutic exercises on dry land.

Veterinary-grade lasers are used therapeutically to speed healing of tissue and to reduce pain and inflammation in a target area.  Laser therapy is also helpful for encouraging healing of various skin conditions and injuries.

Light from the laser penetrates tissues and helps to encourage blood flow to the target area¹.   Research has suggested that the use of laser therapy is beneficial for a variety of conditions including wounds, musculoskeletal injuries, inflammation, arthritis, and connective tissue injuries such as strains and sprains¹.

References

1:  Canine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, 2013.  Edited by Zink, M. Christine and Van Dyke, Janet B.

Laser-only sessions are typically 20-30 minutes in length and can be purchased individually or as a package.  Laser therapy is also a part of our rehabilitation and geriatric fitness programs.

Working on the underwater treadmill (UTM for short) allows your pet to exercise in a more controlled way than swimming in the pool.  The water level can be raised or lowered to adjust the resistance level — making the workout harder or easier depending on the individual needs of the animal.  As well, the treadmill comes equipped with jets that can be introduced to increase the difficulty for those animals who are ready to hit the gym.

Swimming in our 80,000 litre pool offers your pet the opportunity to have some fun while getting some exercise.  Swimming is a great way for dogs to get a workout in a supportive, easy-on-the-joints environment.

Hot packs are used superficially as a complement to rehabilitation treatment in order to reduce pain, promote relaxation, improve joint mobility and connective tissue flexibility, and to increase blood flow to the target area¹.

Therapeutic ultrasound use provide both thermal and nonthermal effects.  The thermal effects are similar to that of hot pack use (but at a deeper tissue depth), acting to increase blood flow, metabolic rate, and to decrease muscle guarding and spasm¹.

References

1:  Canine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, 2013.  Edited by Zink, M. Christine and Van Dyke, Janet B.