09/18/2024
Q & A With Our CORE Veterinary Rehab Team for ! 🐩🐈🩵
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Q: How do I know if my pet needs physical therapy?
A: Some pets will show specific signs that they could benefit from some rehab therapy, such as rear limb weakness, lameness, slowing down, decreased activity, pain, and trouble standing for short periods of time. While we might consider these signs of older age, a tailored rehab exercise program may help improve upon these symptoms. Rehab therapy, however, can be started at any age. Many patients, including athletes, do well with preventative rehabilitation programs geared toward strengthening, conditioning, and endurance.
Q: What Conditions Are Helped With Rehab Therapy?
A:
🔵 Post-surgical orthopedic cases
🟣 Some neurological conditions
🔵 Orthopedic concerns - such as luxating patella and dysplasia
🟣 General mobility concerns - such as arthritis and weakness
🔵 Healthy Athletic Conditioning
Q: What Services Do You Offer?
A:
🟢 Rehabilitation Consultations
🟢 Tailored Exercise Program
🟢 Hydrotherapy Underwater Treadmill
🟢 Postoperative strengthening and mobility program
🟢 PulseVet Shock Wave Therapy
🟢 Laser Therapy
🟢 Therapeutic ultrasound therapy
🟢 PEMF Therapy
🟢 TENS/NMES
🟢 Massage/Manual Therapy
🟢 Oncology/Palliative Massage
🟢 Lymphatic Drainage
🟢 Kinesiotaping
🟡 Animal Chiropractic Care (through IVS)
🟡 Veterinary Acupuncture (through IVS)
🟡 Joint and Muscle Support Supplements
Q: Do We Teach Massage Therapy?
A: Yes! ✅ We love to teach private instructional massage therapy to clients, as this can improve upon quality of life and mobility of your pet at home. We also offer in-clinic massage therapy to all patients at CORE.
Q: Do You Offer Palliative or Cancer Care Rehab?
A: Yes! We offer comfort care massage therapy to our patients that might just need a little extra TLC. ♥️
Q: My Dog is Not a Patient of IVS. Can We Still Come for Therapy?
A: Yes! ✅ We just require a referral from your vet, some medical records pertinent to the reason you are coming in, and a new patient form from you. These help the therapist to understand what is working for your pet already and what you might be struggling with.
Q: Do You See Other Animals Besides Dogs?
A: We do have rehab therapists on staff that work with cats and some pocket pets. We currently do not have plans to add other species at this time. We do have recommendations for equine services available. 🐈🐩🐰🐹
Q: How Much Does Rehab Therapy Cost?
A: This can vary between patients and the condition they are being treated for. All patients start with an initial consultation, which includes the formulation of an exercise program tailored toward your pet. We offer other therapy services at an additional cost, such as laser therapy or underwater treadmill.
Q: How Long Will My Pet Need Rehab Therapy?
A: This is very dependent on the reason for treatment. Most postoperative surgical cases are 12 weeks on average. Dogs with more intense needs may need longer. Patients with long-term illnesses or severe mobility issues often remain in rehab, but our goal is to decrease the frequency of visits to an appropriate interval that keeps the patient stable and/or improving. 👍🏼
Q: How Often Does My Pet Need to Come for Therapy?
A: This is also very dependent on the reason for treatment. Most patients are coming into the clinic 1-2 times per week in the initial stages. We then try to decrease the frequency, based on progress. We are also very mindful of your time and finances, so the therapist will always do their best to find a schedule that works for everyone. 😊
Q: Should my Agility Dog Be Coming for Rehab?
A: We see many sports performance and obedience dogs at CORE, including: Agility, Fast Cat, Lure, Rally, Confirmation, Dock Diving, Barn Hunt, Flyball, working dogs, stock dogs, and hunting dogs. A tailored rehab program can be helpful not only if there has been an injury, but also to help strengthen, condition, and improve upon endurance to hopefully prevent a future issue.💪🏼🩵
Q: Do You Offer Payment Plans or Discounts?
A: No, we do not offer payment plans. We do offer 6 month free interest on Care Credit charges over $200. Payment is due at time of service. We do offer discounted packages on laser therapy, rehab rechecks, and underwater treadmill. We also run varying specials throughout the year.
Note: Discounts for 501(c)(3) non-profit rescues and shelter groups can be arranged with the CORE Rehab Coordinator and only applies to foster/shelter animals within that organization. Veterinary referral required.
Q: My Pet is Very Scared at the Vet. Will They be Okay in Rehab? 🫶🏼💞
A: All of our therapists understand the need for a calming atmosphere. Many of the therapists are either Fear Free certified, or they have gone through trust building workshops to help reduce patient anxiety during an appointment. Every pet is different, but we will always strive to create a positive experience.
Q: What is the Rehab Team’s Favorite Case to See?
🌸 Leah: Post-op surgical
🌸 Dani: Geriatric-senior pets
🌸 Vicky: Neurologic and palliative care
Thank you to CORE Rehab for answering some questions to help us all better understand physical therapy at IVS!
