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 In
2004 Smoketown Veterinary Hospital opened a new canine
rehabilitation department, one of the first such facilities in
Lancaster County. Rehabilitation in pets is especially useful
for pets suffering from arthritis and neurologic injuries.
Similar to physical therapy in humans, dogs need specialized
exercise techniques to strengthen weak muscles and joints. This
is accomplished using a variety of techniques, the most
innovative one being the use of an underwater treadmill. With a
combination of resistance from the treadmill and buoyancy from
the water, dogs can exercise without too much strain on
arthritic joints. For example, a dog that weighs 100 pounds
bears only about 40 pounds of weight in the underwater
treadmill. By decreasing the depth of the water during future
treatments, the dog will bear more weight on its front and rear
legs. After several weeks of such workouts, a dog may be strong
enough to decrease pain medication and/or eliminate the need for
further rehabilitation. The overall purpose of physical
rehabilitation is to help dogs with injuries or surgical trauma
to return to normal function as quickly as possible.
Smoketown Veterinary Hospital's rehabilitation department
offers specialized treatment for pets with the following
conditions:
- Orthopedic trauma and surgery
- Chronic pain
- Degnerative joint disease (arthritis)
- Neurologic injuries
- Obesity
- Inactivity due to aging
- Athletic training and conditioning
To accomplish our treatment goals we use the following
techniques:
- Underwater treadmill
- Therapeutic ultrasound
- Electrical stimulation
- Thermostimulation
- Therapeutic exercise equipment
- Therapeutic massage
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