Canine Rehabilitation in Dauphin County
Comprehensive Physiotherapy For Dogs in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Paws in Motion is committed to providing rehabilitation for our patients and our referral patients! Canine (animal) rehab uses the principles of human physical rehabilitation to help dogs who are having difficulty moving, trouble walking, or who are in pain. It can also aid in helping animals regain muscle mass post operatively.
Our rehabilitation program includes a comprehensive evaluation by one of our veterinarians. A treatment plan is developed from the findings of the evaluation and in conjunction with the owner’s goals. Treatment is individualized and may include hydrotherapy, laser therapy, balance exercises, walking retraining, therapeutic exercises, soft tissue massage with manual therapy, stretching, and home exercise program.
Some conditions that can be helped with veterinary rehabilitation therapy include:
- Cancer pain
- Acute or chronic pain
- Neurological disease: degenerative myelopathy, Wobbler’s syndrome; pain, weakness or paralysis due to disc disease, vestibular disease, fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE)
- Geriatric issues: weakness in the hindlimbs, difficulty walking, difficulty getting up or sitting down
- Conservative management of orthopedic conditions: partial tear or complete tear of the CCL or other ligaments
- Osteoarthritis
- Post-op surgical conditions: canine ACL (also known as CrCL), FHO, total hip replacement surgery, osteochondritis dessicans (OCD) lesions, post-arthroscopy, post limb amputation, stem cell replacement surgery, fracture repair
- Soft tissue injuries (tendinitis, tendinopathies)
- Sport-related injuries
- Conservative and post-operative intervertebral disc disease (paralysis, weakness)
Interested in rehabilitation therapy for your pet? Contact us at [email protected] or click the link below!
Low Level Laser Therapy
Low Level Laser Therapy uses light energy to help accelerate healing and anti-inflammatory properties. At Paws In Motion, there are two different lasers available to treat your pet, a class IIIB and a class IV. The IIIB is a point to point laser that is used to deliver a dose of energy directly into the joint being treated, or a trigger point in a muscle. While it uses less power overall, its exact dose administration has shown to be extremely effective for our patients. The class IV scanning laser allows the therapists to deliver a higher amount of energy to a larger area. It is used for neurologic conditions that often require double the amount of energy than what is used to treat arthritis or post-op joint conditions. Your pet may experience a tingling sensation, or mild heat during this treatment, but it is not painful.
Manual Therapy
Massage and stretching is used to help relieve muscle spasms and restrictions in your pet. They increase blood flow and circulation to the area, helping to decrease any swelling and inflammation that may be present. Therapists also have the ability to provide joint mobilizations. These mobilizations are micro-movements applied to their joint capsules, stretching them to provide pain relief and improved range of motion. Restrictions in the joint capsules can lead to a compromised gait pattern in your pet. When your pet is not walking normally, it can cause over compensation in another body part. This leads to over-use of other limbs, increased pain and further mobility restrictions.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields
PEMFs are electrical currents used to enhance bone and tissue healing, as well as aid in pain control. This modality specifically works with the to help relieve inflammation. PEMF’s have been shown to provide calming effects to the patients as well. During your pet’s massage, we will provide a PEMF bed for them to receive these benefits. These treatment options are also available for owners to do at home with the rental or purchase of an Assisi Loop. More information on the loop and its benefits can be given at the time of your pet’s appointment.
Electrical Stimulation
With the use of electrical currents, Electrical Stimulation, or E-stim, can be used for both pain management and muscle strengthening.
For pain relief, small electrical impulses are applied to inhibit the nerves from transmitting pain signals to the brain. These impulses also produce natural pain relievers known as endorphins. When used, a visible twitch is noted in the targeted muscles. For strengthening, it can be used in pets experiencing generalized weakness, neurologic issues, or those having trouble activating certain muscles on their own. In such cases, the impulses can be applied to these muscles. The impulses are then increased to the level of muscle contractions, causing the limb to move and over time this movement strengthens and targets muscles. While this will probably feel a little odd to your pet at first, most are able to adjust quickly and relax during this treatment.
Underwater Treadmill
Our underwater treadmill is a versatile and valuable modality. The water provides a temperature controlled buoyant atmosphere for your pet, while also providing resistance. This relieves unwanted pressure on the joints, while still allowing for muscle strengthening. The therapists will adjust the water height to achieve the desired level of buoyancy and surface tension. Higher water levels provide more buoyancy, while lower levels require the pet to support more of their body weight, step through surface tension, and result in a more intense workout. Based on your pet’s abilities and progress throughout the program, the levels will be adjusted as necessary. The treadmill belt can be inclined to increase the difficulty of the therapy and target specific muscle groups. The water is heated to a desired temperature, allowing muscle relaxation and increased blood flow during the treatment. These features are adjusted for geriatric, neurologic, post-op, and even weight loss patients. To get your pet used to the treadmill, we begin by walking the pet in and out of the doors to get acclimated to it. Once the pet is comfortable we will close a door and start the belt, allowing them to walk on it dry. Finally, water is added when the pet is ready. Some patients will require a therapist to be in the water with them during their sessions, but most are able to become so comfortable, they can complete it with minimal guidance from the therapists. Even dogs who do not like water have done great in the underwater treadmill, and some have even learned to love it.
Kinesiology Tape
Kinesiology Tape is a versatile tool that is applied in a manner that helps lift the superficial skin layer, providing tissue decompression. Tissue decompression has two main benefits- improved circulation, and immediately reducing the perception of pain. Without the compression on the free nerve endings, the amount of pain signals that are sent to the brain is decreased. Improved circulation helps to remove any build up swelling and inflammation. The tape also provides sensory input to the brain, letting neurologic pets know where the affected body parts are in space and aiding in proprioception. If deemed helpful for your pet, it will be applied in hospital, and should fall off in a few days. However, it is not digestible and must be removed if the pet chews on it. Owners can also be shown how to apply the tape at home for long term use.
Our Rehabilitation Therapy Team
Dr. Jennifer Fletcher Eckenrode is our Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT). She completed her training with the Canine Rehabilitation Institute through Colorado State University in September 2017.
Marah Eimer, CVT, CCRP completed the Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner program at the University of Tennessee in 2018. Marah has been providing rehab therapy to patients under the previous supervision of Kelly Straub, MPT, CCRP, Dr. Cheryl Burke, CCRP and Dr. Brooke Lowenstein, CCRT for two years prior to 2017.
Elaine Erdman, CVT, CCRP earned her Bachelor of Veterinary Medical Technology with a concentration in biology in 2002, at Wilson College. After years in general medicine of small animals, her interest grew in helping post-operative and geriatric patients. In December 2015, she completed her certification in canine rehabilitation from the University of Tennessee.
Together, Dr. Fletcher, Marah, Elaine and their team are excited to continue providing this unique service to our clients and patients. Let us know if you are interested in rehabilitation for your pet!