SERVICES - BRINGING PETS BACK TO THEIR BEST!

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Rehabilitation Evaluation: Each patient is thoroughly evaluated during an in-depth, two hour examination. The exam consists of:

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  Routine health check
• Gait analysis
• Palpation of the muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints and bones
• Goniometry (measurement of joint flexion and extension)
• Complete neurological examination, when appropriate

The exam findings, combined with a detailed history, lead to a diagnosis and appropriate written treatment plan. All successful rehabilitation plans rely on dedicated owners teaming with our skilled staff.

Rehab Plan: A detailed written plan goes home with every pet.  The plan includes recommendations for further diagnostics, in clinic treatments, medications, and supplements.  A home rehab program is included with detailed instructions on how to perform the recommended massage, stretching, passive range of motion, and therapeutic exercises. 

Hydrotherapy:  Our state of the art underwater treadmill uses the resistance of water to provide an excellent workout for the muscles, heart, lungs, and mind while protecting the bones and joints by using the buoyancy of water to greatly reduce the concussive forces of walking.  The warm water relaxes pets, provides pain relief and reduces swelling. 

• In addition to patients in need of rehabilitation, overweight pets can safely exercise in the treadmill to facilitate weight loss without overstressing their joints, and canine athletes often benefit from conditioning in preparation for competition and during the “off season.”

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Therapeutic ultrasound uses sound waves to: Promote healing Reduce pain Decrease swelling Decrease muscle spasms

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Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulations (E-Stim): Tiny electrical pulses produce gentle muscle contractions.  This combats the muscle atrophy and weakness that is so common in physical rehabilitation patients.  After learning how to safely administer this treatment you may be able to rent the unit and provide this therapy at home.

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Manual therapy: Joint mobilizations, Passive Range of Motion (PROM), massage and acupressure are applied.  This is a “healing touch” which helps to improve joint nutrition, improve flexibility, alleviates pain and swelling.

Therapeutic Exercises: These are exercises prescribed to achieve specific goals such as strengthening, improving balance or flexibility.  An individualized, home exercise plan will be prescribed.  Some technically demanding therapeutic exercises need to be performed under the watchful eye of a trained, knowledgeable assistant and will be performed at West Hills Animal Hospital.  Theraballs, resistance bands, wobble boards, and cavaletti poles are all examples of therapeutic exercise equipment.

Weight loss and conditioning program: This program is designed for those pets in need of weight loss or for the highly trained canine athlete who needs further conditioning, endurance training or strengthening.  The cornerstone of this program is hydrotherapy.