Canine Rehabilitation
FAQ
Have a question about Canine Rehabilitation? We have put together the answers to some of our most commonly asked questions below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Physical Rehabilitation?
Veterinarians provide leadership to a rehabilitative team that can consist of physical therapists, technicians and rehabilitation therapists. They will work closely with your pet's primary care and specialty veterinarians. Your veterinarian can prescribe pain medications and nutritional support if needed. They will also prescribe a treatment program including additional therapies (see Rehab Therapies) that is specifically designed to meet your pet's needs. This multimodal approach provides greater opportunity for a successful outcome.
What kinds of therapies do you offer?
Please visit our service's page and click on our various services to learn more.
My pet hates water or is nervous at the vet, how do you approach this situation?
The majority of pets have never experienced aquatic therapy using an underwater treadmill. Almost all of them have experienced a bath though! We take great care to accommodate emotional health needs, especially their first time, by using cooperative veterinary care strategies to make their first experience a positive one. By using food luring, motivational tools, going slow and a lot of encouragement even the most nervous pets do well once they feel the warm water soothing sore joints. After a few sessions they will be standing at the car door looking forward to their regular session with us!
When should I expect results?
Each pet is different in how they respond to a therapeutic program with chronic conditions like arthritis typically needing 4-6 visits. Acute conditions like a post-operative surgical patient may respond sooner simply because the injury has not been present for a long time and the dog has not developed significant muscle or joint motion losses. Just like us when we exercise, it is important to keep up on the program regularly to achieve and maintain results. After every visit we will request you to observe your pet for 24-72 hours for any fatigue, soreness, or pain. This information helps us optimize your pets program and results!
I have pet insurance, how do I know if rehab is covered?
Please click here to reference the AARV Pet Insurance Summary PDF
How long does a hydrotherapy session last?
We determine the best walking time based on current activity levels and therapeutic goals. Depending on the strength of your dog, a session can last up to 45 minutes for the first time. It is important to note that the entire session is not walking for 45 minutes and includes getting your pet “dressed” for exercising in a harness, filling water to an appropriate depth, exercising, draining water at the end of the session, then drying off! Walking times are generally broken down into repetitions and duration with multiple rest periods.
What should I expect at the first evaluation?