What to Expect at Your Pet’s Evaluation
Prior to the evaluation, owners will be provided with a Functional Questionnaire. We recommend completing the packet 1-2 days before the appointment to give us the most accurate representation of your pet’s abilities. This packet will let the therapists know what you are noticing at home, what we can improve, and what you hope your pet gain through therapy.
At your re-check, you will be asked to fill out the questionnaire again, allowing us to track their progress throughout the program.
During the appointment the pet is taken for a solo evaluation, and measurements (discussed below) with a certified rehab therapist. Once the evaluation is completed, you will join your pet and the therapists to discuss the areas of concern. The therapists will discuss with you what modalities are best suited to your pet and the duration of treatment needed.
An initial set of therapeutic exercises will be prescribed after the evaluation. Depending on the pet’s needs, we offer the following pain relieving and muscle strengthening modalities: Low Level Laser Therapy, Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields, Kinesiology Taping, Underwater Treadmill, Electrical Stimulation, Manual Stretching and Massage, and a Home Exercise Program.
Initial Consultation: We require a deposit, which covers the cost of the examination and reserves your appointment. This will be deducted from your services that day. If you do not communicate or arrive as scheduled, this is non-refundable.
Gait Analysis
Each pet is given a lameness and neurologic score out of 5 at a walk and trot. This evaluation informs us of your pet’s willingness to bear equal weight on each leg. Minor pain can create an imbalance in your pet’s gait, and therefore lead to compensatory problems and possibly more injuries from overuse. While an abnormal gait will give the therapists an idea of what is most painful to your pet, it will also tell them where to look for compensatory injuries as well. It is monitored at each follow up appointment, alerting the therapists to any improvement or concerns during the program.
Strength Testing
At the evaluation, each limb is assigned a score based on strength. Strength is determined through exercises and activities that show how well your pet is able to support themselves on all of their limbs. The strength score allows the therapist to determine what exercises will most benefit your pet. As your pet improves, the exercises advance with them, further improving their strength and abilities.
Measurements
A baseline muscle measurement is recorded during the evaluation using a spring tension measuring tape, Gulick II. This measurement is repeated at re-checks to keep track of muscle gain or loss throughout the program. Most pets with injuries begin to lose muscle mass in the affected limbs fairly quickly, and it is not uncommon for there to be a 3-7 cm difference between limbs only a few weeks after an injury. The goal of therapy is to build muscle mass where needed, therefore enabling proper use of each limb, and decreasing the chance of compensatory injuries.
A goniometer is used to evaluate any restrictions or excessive movement in the joints of your pet. This tool measures passive range of motion, and helps to diagnose any abnormalities with your pet’s extension and flexion. Restrictions or excessive movement in joints can lead to a compromised gait pattern, resulting in muscle loss and compensatory injuries. As your pet advances through the program these measurements are repeated and compared to the baseline to evaluate progress.
Orthopedic Exam
The orthopedic examination is a vital part of every pet’s evaluation. Therapists check for abnormalities in the joints such as bony and arthritic changes. In some cases, radiographs will be needed to fully evaluate the joints and get a more accurate diagnosis. Each joint is checked for fluid build up, signs of heat or infection. In post-op cases, incisions are evaluated to ensure proper healing is occurring. Knees are assessed for any meniscal or cruciate injuries, and instability. These factors are used to determine what your pet may be experiencing, and help form a treatment plan for your pet.
Neurologic exam
During the evaluation, the limbs will be tested for any neurologic deficits. Pets who are geriatric, have spinal cord injuries, or even knee injuries can experience deficits. Reflexes are tested using a reflex hammer, similar to humans. Pinching of the toes and body is also used to determine if there is a pain reflex present, or the automatic withdrawal of the tested area. Proprioception is defined as the perception or awareness of the position and movement of the body. A decrease or absence in the pet ability to correct paw placement can lead to dragging of the limbs, knuckling, and unusual gait patterns. In neurologic pets, exercises are used to re-train the brain and acknowledge where their paws and body are in space.
Tailored Home Exercise Program
A home exercise program is used to help increase range of motion, mobility, and strength. Each program is unique to your pet’s case. At follow-up appointments, we will run through each exercise and evaluate if your pet is ready to advance to a more challenging level. A handout will be provided to you with all of the advised exercises and their frequencies. With the program, you have the ability to access an online account that provides you with exercise descriptions and videos if you need further explanations.