Animal Rehab Center at Village Vet

07/27/2024

07/23/2024

We are thrilled to announce that our shy and anxious young patient Bond, has successfully completed his rehabilitation journey with us today. Thanks to a tailored plan including underwater treadmill sessions, physiotherapy and laser therapy, Bond has made wonderful progress.
Today he officially graduated from his program. Bond did so well accommodating the whole experience.
Cheers to Bond, his amazing journey to wellness, and his wonderful healthcare advocate Leslie!

04/18/2024

Another Graduate in the books! Snoopy came to see us after having a surgical procedure called a hemilaminectomy, a type of spinal surgery. He is such a rockstar, and we are thrilled we were able to help this cute little guy with his rehabilitation.

03/19/2024

Today we are going to focus on Conditioning. Living in Michigan can greatly restrict outdoor activities such as swimming, dock diving, and other agility sports. Keeping our furry friends active in the winter months helps to avoid injuries in the spring. Bennie came to Animal Rehab Center weekly all winter long to keep in tip-top shape, just in time to show off his skills for his AKC Rally event this month. Bennie worked on strength, balance, and endurance and it sure paid off. Great Job Bennie!

02/01/2024

Working out has never looked so good. Henry is our photogenic model of the day 💕

01/30/2024

Check out these adorable pups making a splash and getting their exercise on in our underwater treadmill this morning. Absolutely paw-some!

01/29/2024

February's Pet CPR and First Aid Class flyer! Come and join us on the 24th for a fun and informational morning. Registration is required, classes fill up quickly.

01/08/2024

Another amazing Pet CPR and First Aid class in the books 🤗. These amazing pet parents and professionals are our newest graduates. Congratulations Erin, Becca, Jenny, Kathy, and Rosanne!!

12/21/2023

Hadley is one of our Rehab Rockstars. She makes exercise look easy.

12/11/2023

ARC at Village Vet has another graduate! Meet Mac a rehabilitation champion 🏆🏆. Mac had a spinal injury that made walking very difficult. The neurologist recommended that Mac enroll in a rehabilitation plan to help facilitate recovery and normal gait and reflex patterns. Mac came weekly for his sessions and proved that little dogs can do BIG things. We will miss seeing his cute little face, but happy that he can run around with his little brother Remi and enjoy life to the fullest.

11/22/2023

🐾 Embracing the Golden Years: Senior Pet Rehabilitation 🐾

Our furry friends are living longer lives, and with age comes a unique set of needs. 🌟 Remember, age is not a disease—it's a milestone! As our pets gracefully enter their golden years, let's ensure they enjoy every moment with the care they deserve.
Senior pets may encounter age-related challenges, but proactive care can make all the difference. Here's how you can help your loyal companions thrive in their golden chapter:

1️⃣ Physical Exercise: Animal Rehab Center tailors activities to your pet's abilities. Hydrotherapy offers a great way for pets to exercise in a low-impact, low-stress, warm water environment. This can help with circulation, swelling, edema, Range of Motion, and help prevent muscle contraction from disuse. At home, gentle walks, low-impact play, and modified exercise routines can keep those joints moving and muscles strong.

2️⃣ Mental Stimulation: Keep those brains sharp! Puzzle toys, interactive games, and new experiences can engage their minds, providing a mental workout that's just as important as the physical one.

3️⃣ Regular Vet Check-ups: Age doesn't exempt anyone from health check-ups. Regular vet visits can catch potential issues early, ensuring your pet gets the care they need promptly.

4️⃣ Balanced Nutrition: A well-rounded diet is crucial. Consult your vet for a senior-specific nutrition plan, addressing any dietary changes needed to support their changing health requirements.

5️⃣ Comfortable Living Spaces: Consider the environment. Soft bedding, ramps for easier access, and warm spots for relaxation can enhance your pet's comfort at home.
Our seniors have given us a lifetime of love—let's repay the favor in their golden years. 🌈🐾

11/13/2023

We will be hosting a Pet CPR and First Aid class at Village Vet in the Animal Rehab Center December 2nd at 10 am. This course is perfect for pet parents, boarding facilities, grooming facilities, pet store employees, and anyone that would like to expand their knowledge of pet first aid. Space is limited so registration is required. You can schedule by calling 269-235-9380 or email [email protected]

11/03/2023

Dozer won’t be out done! We had some great swimmers this week!

11/03/2023

Macy was a rockstar this week! Showcasing her phenomenal swimming abilities.

10/16/2023

Animal Rehab Center at Village Vet (ARC) has its first Graduate! Toby came to us for pre-hab prior to his TPLO surgery at Animal Surgical Center of Michigan and post-surgical rehab which he absolutely ROCKED! Toby wasn't sold on the underwater treadmill at first, but after a couple of sessions he couldn't wait to jump right in. Pre-hab helped Toby to get a head-start on his therapy and get acquainted with the equipment. Toby did and felt so well, his Mom had to remind him (often) that he just had surgery and to take it easy. We are so happy with the gains that Toby has made here and is a shining example of how animal rehabilitation works. It is bittersweet watching Toby graduate and we are going to miss him dearly, but take comfort that Toby is in great hands with his primary care Veterinarians Dr. Ed and Dr. Mike over at St. Joseph Animal Wellness Clinic, PC.

10/05/2023

This week's spotlight is on Home Exercise Programs. These at-home exercises are specifically adapted to your pet's needs. Professional equipment is not required, and you can be as creative as you need with things you already have at home. Home Exercise Plans are used for a variety of conditions including, but not limited to, Pre/Post surgical procedures, Conservative management of torn ligaments or IVDD, Geriatrics, Weight-loss, Conditioning and many more. Call us today if you have interest in having a plan catered for your pet.

09/14/2023

Alright canines, time to “step” aside. Kiwi is in the house and ready to show you how it’s done. This is her first experience in the Underwater Treadmill, but you’d never know it. Kiwi is undergoing rehabilitation for a developmental hip issue.

09/12/2023

Today’s star of the week is Hadley the Gordon Setter! Hadley came to check out the new underwater treadmill, cold laser, and exercise equipment to help with post-surgical rehabilitation therapy. She rocked it and we look forward to seeing her journey here at Animal Rehab Center.

08/29/2023

We are so excited for this post! We have had our first few hydrotherapy sessions, and these dogs are true champions! A huge "Thank You" to those who have donated towels. Laura, Toby, Gavin, and Willow are putting them to good use.

So what are the benefits for dogs (and cats) of using an underwater treadmill?

- Allows the water level to be adjusted to suit the needs of the patient

-Increases proprioception from having contact with the treadmill belt

-Helps to re-educate gait

-Can alter the speed which is important in rehabilitation situations

-Bouyancy helps encourages equal weight bearing in limbs

-Allows for more controlled movement, which is important for before and after surgery

-Dogs often feel more relaxed when they can touch the floor so are less likely to panic

-Hydrostatic pressure helps to reduce swelling in the limbs

-Heated temperatures can help relax sore muscles and joints

We are currently scheduling for hydrotherapy appointments, call 269-235-9380 to book.

08/28/2023

As our renovation draws to a close, we wanted to give a huge heartfelt shout out to the amazing companies that made this renovation happen. Dan Vos Construction Company has been wonderful during every step of the process. It is hard working next to an open veterinary clinic that are currently seeing appointments (without sounding like a construction zone), but they were able to do so with the professionalism that they are synonymous with. Our go-to floor guys at Dwan Concrete Coatings have yet again outdone themselves with the epoxy flooring. Our expectations have been blown out of the water, and we couldn't have asked for better results. We are proud to be open to the public and excited to show off the new Animal Rehab Center at Village Vet.

08/22/2023

Amputees are taking the spot light this week. There are numerous reasons why a veterinary surgeon would recommend a limb amputation, but rest assured these kiddos can live a long and enriching life. Here are some key steps to a successful recovery.

After surgery, your dog will need to learn how to redistribute his or her weight onto the remaining three legs. Using a sling under your dog’s chest, in the case of a front leg amputation, or under the hips, in the case of the back leg amputation, can help provide additional support when your dog needs to get up to use the bathroom.

Hard surfaces can make it difficult for your dog to keep his or her balance. Providing traction devices helps prevent your dog from slipping and falling while learning to navigate on only three legs.

Your dog can benefit greatly from recovering in a comfortable space with plenty of soft, thick bedding and/or a nice, cushy dog bed. Using non-slip rugs in the recovery area can also be a helpful way to provide traction for your pet as well.

Your veterinary surgeon may recommend working with a rehabilitation facility. Doing this can help your dog learn to walk and balance on remaining limbs. The rehab team may suggest strengthening exercises, using an underwater treadmill for pets after the stitches are removed, or other therapies.

Surprisingly, most dogs adjust well to amputation. Because the removed limb was a chronic source of pain or was not functional due to previous injury, most patients have already started to adjust to shifting their weight off of the leg. This often means pets learn to adjust to only having three legs fairly easily.

Pictured is sweet Willow, she was Animal Rehab Center’s first official case study! She made rehab look like a breeze, and took everything in stride ;)

08/10/2023

One of the services we are excited to continue to offer in the Animal Rehab Center is acupuncture. In traditional Chinese Medicine, pain can be caused due to stagnation of Qi (pronounced “Chee”). The goal of acupuncture is to break through that stagnation and resolve pain. Some benefits of acupuncture as it relates to rehabilitation medicine is pain management of musculoskeletal problems such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, or nerve injuries. Acupuncture is often employed during rehabilitation after an injury, or for treating chronic pain for long-term comfort.

Two types of acupuncture we provide are traditional dry needling and electroacupuncture. With electroacupuncture we run electricity through the patient from one point to the next point to help with pain and other conditions including weakness.

07/24/2023

What is Photobiomodulation (Cold Laser Therapy) and why is it so cool?! Well, we think so anyway. We use laser therapy for a variety of afflictions due to its wide-range of healing properties. Therapy lasers have anti-inflammatory effects, anti-edema (fluid buildup) effect, analgesic effect, and helps facilitate tissue repair. How does it do this you ask? The light enters the cell's mitochondria and is absorbed by the chromophores, increasing its activity. Like jump starting a dead battery. When pairing laser therapy with other rehabilitation modalities we can maximize the desired effect. Whether it's pain relief, comfort, or healing we can cater a plan for your pet's rehab journey.

07/14/2023

So what does Animal Rehabilitation look like? There are many different modalities we can use during your pet's rehabilitation experience. One modality we use is Physio Ex (Physical Exercise). This involves strength training in affected limbs (or remaining limbs), building core-strength to help support body weight, increasing balance, and enrichment for their busy minds. All pets can benefit from physical activity, not just our pets with physical limitations. These exercises can be done in clinic with our experienced staff, or at home with a home-exercise program catered to your pet.

06/20/2023

Keeping with the assistive device theme, let's look at another type of service offered through Animal Rehab Center at Village Vet. Custom Orthotic Braces for our furry friends (That come in really cool colors too!)

Conditions that benefit from braces include, but are not limited to:

-CCL tears (full and partial)
-Post-operative care, can be used in conjunction with hydrotherapy
-For when surgery or anesthetic procedures are not an option
-Protecting other limbs while the affected one is healing
-Chronic pain from osteoarthritis
-Sprains and Strains
-Hip Dysplasia
-Femoral Head Ostectomy, FHO
-Carpal Hyperextension
-Angular deformities
-Elbow Dysplasia
-Subluxation
-Tendonitis

Benefits of a custom brace:

-Provides support to the affected area
-Stabilizes unstable joint or joints
-Allows for easier wound/surgical site inspection
-Reduces pressure on the contralateral (opposite) limb
-Decreases the time and expense of injury/post-surgical recovery

There are situations when a custom brace would not be suitable, we are always happy to go over those at the time of consultation.

Rest assured our companion animal rehab therapists are certified through the company we use for custom orthotics, assuring the best possible fit for your pet's new assistive device. We also offer lifetime support for your pet's brace, including fittings and adjustments as needed.

06/16/2023

Let's kick off our educational series by talking about one of the most revolutionary assistive devices we offer at Animal Rehab Center at Village Vet. Pet wheelchairs have come leaps and bounds from when they were first introduced in the 1960's by Dr. Lincoln "Nick" Parks. There are several reasons your pet may need an assistive device, whether permanent or temporary.

Ligament or Joint Injuries: When used post-operatively, a wheelchair can help speed up recovery by alleviating pressure off of the surgically repaired hips, limbs or joints. This helps to reduce the risk of injury to the other limbs which are taking on additional weight and strain while the pet is healing.

Spinal Cord Disorders: some dog breeds predispose them to nerve damage, rear limb weakness, and sometimes paralysis. It is the most common reason a pet may need an assistive device. In a wheelchair, a pet can do aqua therapy and physical therapy while supporting the pet's weight.

Arthritis: When used in conjunction with other modalities, a wheelchair can reduce arthritic pain by keeping tension off of the afflicted joints and slowing down their deterioration.

Amputation: pets can find mobility again thanks to the use of an assistive device, like that of a wheelchair. This can be temporary until the pet builds muscle strength in the remaining limbs, or permanent to help keep our pets mobile.

Degenerative Diseases: Some diseases like Degenerative Myelopathy, or DM, can significantly shorten a dog's ability to go for long walks, get up and around the house, and enjoy the day-to-day things that they love. This is a disease that I know all too well as my own dog had this condition. Studies have shown that the sooner these pets get into an assistive device, the longer they can have use of their hind end and mobility.

In conclusion, just because your pet has lost or diminished use of one or more limbs, it doesn't mean they can't live long and happy lives. Today's animal rehabilitation practices include an array of therapeutic devices which are designed specifically for our furry friends. Whether temporary or long-term, we at Animal Rehab Center at Village Vet will be happy to discuss wheelchairs or other assistive devices for your pets.

06/15/2023

We are so excited to announce the construction kick off of our Rehab center!! 👷‍♀️🚧. Stay tuned for progress photos and updates.