Pet Rehabilitation

Veterinary Rehabilitation Rehabilitation for pets is comparable to physical therapy for humans and offers many of the same benefits. If your pet is arthritic, on long-term pain medication, has undergone orthopedic surgery, or just seems to be "slowing down" due to age, he or she could benefit greatly from rehabilitation therapy.

Initial rehabilitation appointments are scheduled with Dr. Beverly Drotos. Dr. Drotos is a certified canine rehabilitation practitioner and veterinary acupuncturist. During the initial examination, Dr Drotos evaluates your pet's condition, discuss options and possibilities for improvement, and designs an individualized rehabilitation treatment plan for your pet utilizing a combination of modalities, such as stretching and massage, to improve your pet's physical condition.

Treatment Modalities

Veterinary Rehabilitation Westfield Veterinary Group uses a number of different treatment modalities as part of your pet's physical therapy and rehabilitation plan. The following is an overview of the methods we use to increase your pet's function, range of motion, and overall quality of life.

Massage - Therapeutic or medical massage increases flexibility, develops and maintains muscle tone and relieves stiffness and joint discomfort.

Range of Motion & Stretching Exercises - Range of motion (ROM) and stretching exercises benefit post-operative patients and pets with chronic conditions by enhancing flexibility and movement while minimizing scar tissue formation.

Low-Level Lasers - Low-level lasers stimulate the blood vessel development in an area and decreases bacteria populations, which accelerates healing and relieves pain.

Thermotherapy - The use of cold packs and heat packs is called thermotherapy and cryotherapy. This reduces muscle inflammation, controls muscle spasms, increases circulation, and relieves pain.

Electrical Stimulation - An advanced instrument that produces low-level electrical current is used to increase muscle strength and tone, reduce pain and ease muscle spasms.

Ultrasound - Therapeutic ultrasound is effective in heating deep tissue, which relaxes tissue and calms muscle spasms. It also increases blood flow, which alleviates pain and reduces swelling.

Acupuncture - Acupuncture is especially helpful for pets with musculoskeletal disorders, arthritis and intevertebral disc disease. Acupuncture uses needles to stimulate specific points on the surface of the body.

Weight Management - Overweight pets are at risk for a number of health problems including arthritis, diabetes, respiratory disease, and many others. We can design a weight management program for your pet that includes diet, exercise, and physical therapy.