Canine Rehabilitation & Wellness Services

Many animals can benefit from canine rehabilitation and conditioning programs. The programs may consist of any combination of home exercise programs, in-office exercise programs, water therapy, massage, musculoskeletal manipulations and hands-on muscle work.

Physical rehabilitation and conditioning programs can improve function and ability for normal, day-to-day activities, and they can provide pain relief, improved mobility, improved quality of life, weight loss, conditioning and basic exercise. Rehabilitation also helps develop bonds and strengthen the relationships between pet owners and pets. To encourage active learning and exercise, we provide programs for puppies and adults.

We regularly treat the following conditions with canine rehabilitation and conditioning exercises:

Post-surgical healing
Hip dysplasia or rear limb pain
Front limb pain or lameness
Elbow conditions
Arthritis
Muscle strains and pulls
Athletic injuries
Neurologic conditions
Weakness and loss of muscle strength
Obesity

4Paws Rehabilitation & Wellness Clinic is proud to provide the following rehabilitation services:

Rehabilitation Exercise Programs

Canine rehabilitation requires great skill, problem-solving abilities and knowledge. Fancy equipment is a luxury, not a necessity!

Water Therapy

Physical rehabilitation and conditioning exercises, including water therapy, can improve function.

Canine Massage

Deep-tissue pain and myofascial pain syndrome can be excruciating for our pets, particularly because it’s pain that is difficult to avoid.

Thermotherapy and Cryotherapy

Thermotherapy involves applying external heat to your pet, with a moist, warm towel or heating blanket, for five to seven minutes.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)

Involves applying a low-level electrical current to affected areas to boost healing after orthopedic or neurological injuries. Pets who are experiencing muscle atrophy, pain and swelling are excellent candidates for NMES.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

Manages pain using a low-level electrical current. This current disrupts pain perception pathways and stimulates acupuncture points to trigger overall bodily healing.

Joint and spinal mobilizations, which allow for better mobility in the targeted area. These relieve pain and muscle knots, reduce spasms and improve mobility.

Orthotics and Braces

4Paws Rehabilitation & Wellness Clinic uses orthotics and braces to support pets suffering from injured joints, tendon injuries or ligament laxity. We work with many bracing and orthotic companies, like Orthopets, Thera-Paw and Handicap Pets, to provide custom fitted braces and orthotics. Sometimes, the fitting process involves fitting a cast to the injured area and then sending in the cast so the orthotic can be made to fit perfectly. Once the brace is made, we will call you to schedule an appointment to fit the device to your pet, to discuss wearing it and to talk about how to clean it.

Some devices only require measurements to be sent to the company. We will work individually with each client to ensure we find the correct assistive device for your pet family.

Wheelchair Fittings

When pets are unable to walk because they are paralyzed or paraplegic, we often recommend wheelchairs. 4Paws Rehabilitation & Wellness Clinic will work with you and your pet to determine if a chair is needed and which chair would be best. Then, we will take the necessary measurements and send them to a pet wheelchair company to custom-fit the chair to your pet. We regularly work with Eddie’s Wheels, K9 Carts, Handicapped Pets and A Loyal Companion.

Once the chair is delivered, we will call you to schedule an appointment to ensure that your pet gets the most out of their new wheels.

Starting a rehabilitation program at 4Paws:

Here’s what you can expect at your pet’s first rehabilitation appointment:

Your first appointment will be about an hour to an hour and a half long. We’ll conduct a full head-to-toe exam during this appointment.
We’ll use palpation and soft tissue techniques to evaluate your pet’s joints and muscles. We may also take measurements and conduct a gait analysis.
Together, we’ll review all diagnostics from your referring veterinarian.
We’ll make a working diagnosis based on the evaluation and will discuss this with you in detail.
Together, we will set goals for your pet, and from there, we will formulate a plan for treatment to best meet the needs of you and your pet. Depending on what we decide, initial treatment may begin at this first appointment.

Every plan is specialized to each individual patient.

Contact 4Paws Rehabilitation & Wellness Clinic to get a specific rehabilitation plan for your dog’s condition.