Canine Rehabilitation & Conditioning
Enhancing dogs’ lives one paw at a time.
Improving Quality of Life for Our Clients … And Their Owners Pet rehabilitation, just like rehab therapies for humans, is designed to restore our canine clients to their maximum level of functioning and movement – and safely maintain that ability – in order for them to enjoy the best quality of life. We believe that this in turn enhances the bond between animals and humans. At Stoney Creek Pet Lodge & Rehab Center, our staff identifies problems and concerns that interfere with an animal’s mobility, and then formulate goals and treatment plans designed to: • Provide pain relief • Restore muscle tone and stability • Improve flexibility and range of motion • Improve function and performance • Prevent injury • Provide conditioning and increased physical potential • Facilitate weight loss
Through education, the owner can know how to best support an ongoing plan of care for their companion at home. This is a team effort that includes owners, referring veterinarians and Stoney Creek’s highly-trained rehab professionals. On the initial visit, the dog will be evaluated with regard to gait, strength, range of motion, pain and mobility. This assessment, combined with the referring veterinarian’s history and diagnosis, will be the foundation on which an individualized treatment plan is developed. This plan includes owner participation with exercises at home to support the pet’s progress.
The Lodge’s Therapy Specialists The practitioners at Stoney Creek Pet Lodge & Rehab Center have received specialized training through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute (CRI). Our veterinarians have completed the programs, and our veterinary assistants have receive training from CRI as well. Our chiropractic and acupuncture services are performed by a licensed and certified veterinary practitioner.
Who We Serve Post-Operative and Injured Dogs Just like their human owners, pets may need a little assistance bouncing back after surgery. Rehabilitation is often beneficial following cruciate repairs, total hip Initial evaluation will include both the owner and the pet,
replacement, fracture repair, back and neck surgeries, patella repair, elbow surgery, FHO and arthroscopy. In
looking at function,
addition, many injuries that do not require surgery can be helped with
strength, pain
therapy. We can also provide non-pharmaceutical alternatives to pain
level and goals for
management, including neuromuscular electrical stimulation (e-stim),
recovery. A scheduled
cold laser therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic and manipulation/stretching.
plan is designed specifically for the dog’s needs and the owner’s wishes.
Athletic and Work Dogs
Key sports for
Conditioning is a vital part of any athlete’s training,
conditioning include:
and our canine friends are no different! Dogs
seldom indicate discomfort until it has progressed to a significant problem. Athletic and work animals often place high demands on their musculoskeletal system. Routine preventive care can prepare
• Agility • Conformation/ show dogs • Flyball • Hunting/field trial
the canine athlete for
• Herding
optimum performance,
• Obedience
while recent research
• Dock diving
shows cross training
• Freestyle
can help head off injury. Although therapy doesn’t
• Luring • Earth dogs
guarantee there won’t be injury, it can make it less likely or less severe, decrease the rate of recurrence, and aid in quicker recovery. Massage, passive range of motion, ice/heat, laser and underwater treadmill can all help our active dogs.
Geriatric Dogs The goal of geriatric therapy is to help the aging dog remain as active and pain-free as possible. These pets often need health screens and referrals to ensure that they are approved for an exercise program. The dog’s regular vet can determine if a program of hydrotherapy, supervised exercises, stretches and/or cold laser therapy might be right for an older pet.
Dogs With Arthritis In the human physical therapy model, the goal for arthritic clients is to maintain joint rangeof-motion and strength without stressing the joint or causing pain. This is also true for dogs. When there are movement restrictions, the joint cannot function normally, and this can cause stress on the cartilage and ligaments. Gentle, repetitive movement of a joint increases fluid flow to the joint, lubricating it and reducing irritation. Having muscle strength is vital for joint stability and normal function. When a joint is supported by weak muscles, the joint can be stressed, adding to injury. By exercising the muscle without increasing pain or stress to the joint, the dog benefits. Hydrotherapy is our main strengthening tool—the warm water relaxes joints, the buoyancy of the water decreases demand on the joints, and water resistance helps strengthen, without pain. Changing the water height adjusts the workload to best correspond with the dog’s ability and needs.
Dogs Needing Weight Management We will work with owners and veterinarians to manage safe, consistent weight loss for a pet through diet and exercise. In addition to the veterinarian’s medical management of obesity, exercising through hydrotherapy can provide weight loss without added joint stress. It’s also convenient—especially for owners who may have physical limitations that prohibit them from exercising their pets. Swimming focuses on many muscles in the body, providing a way to burn calories in a non-weight bearing way!
Equipment and Treatment Modalities Hydrotherapy In hydrotherapy, an underwater treadmill uses water to support the pet’s weight while they practice walking or running. One advantage of using water in therapy is that it provides resistance exercise without causing joint stress. Hydrotherapy also helps decrease recovery time after surgery, aids arthritic pets and improves cardiovascular health. Gentle range-of-motion exercises can be tailored by adjusting the water height – a higher level of water means more of the pet’s weight is supported. A hoist may be used to assist immobile dogs for safe, neuromuscular stimulation.
Therapeutic/Cold Laser Therapy Laser therapy is the use of specific wavelengths of light to treat painful and debilitating conditions and improve wound healing. Light energy enters the damaged cells and stimulates inter-cellular activity. This results in reduced pain, decreased swelling, increased blood flow and faster healing of injury. Common reasons for laser therapy include: • Hip dysplasia • Low-back disorder • Cruciate injury/repair/TPLO • Neurologic problems (including disk herniation, stroke, degenerative myelopathy) • Luxating patella • Arthritis • Radial nerve damage • Spondylosis • Musculoskeletal injury • Fracture Repair
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES or e-stim) is the careful application of low-level electrical current using electrodes to cause contraction of the muscle and to decrease swelling. This treatment is often used following an orthopedic or neurological injury, and is ideal for treatment of muscle atrophy, swelling and pain.
Acupuncture/Chiropractic The American Veterinary Association recognizes acupuncture and chiropractic as valid veterinary alternative and complementary treatments. Just like the human therapy, acupuncture is the use of very fine needles gently placed in specific points to treat a variety of conditions and disorders. Virtually pain-free, acupuncture activates the central nervous system and releases endorphins, hormones and serotonin. Acupuncture has many uses, but is used in this facility primarily in pain relief and in treating muscle and skeletal abnormalities. Another alternative treatment method is chiropractic manipulation, which gently realigns the spine and relaxes the surrounding muscles and helps keep the musculoskeletal system working properly. Chiropractic focuses on neuromuscular disorders, working toward restoring normal motion to the joint and improve posture and alignment.
Stretching Stretching and range-ofmotion exercises (also called passive exercise) restore the function of the joint by improving the flexibility of muscles, tendons and ligaments. Helping your dog regain normal muscle length and extension can help relieve pain and stabilize gait.
Therapeutic Exercise Active therapeutic exercise helps your pet regain strength and gait through the use of balance boards, therapy balls and cavallettes to strengthen the back, shoulders, core muscles and rear legs. We will create a work out plan that is tailored to the individual dog’s needs and establish goals for the owner to work with the pet at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t want surgery for my dog’s orthopedic injury. Can therapy help? Dogs have been treated successfully using non-surgical management for such injuries as torn or partial tear cruciates and disk injuries. Immediate treatment increases the rate of success. It takes dedication on your part, too! You will need to learn the exercises that will safely help your pet get stronger.
How often will my dog have to come for therapy?
My dog needs surgery. When should I bring him for therapy? The start of therapy will be decided by your veterinarian/surgeon. In some circumstances,
Frequency and duration of therapy is
early electrical stimulation therapy can help
dependent on the dog and its condition.
prevent muscle atrophy. Sometimes immediate
Many require fewer than six sessions, and we
post-operative therapies such as massage,
strongly believe in teaching the owners to
passive range of motion, laser and ice/heat
take responsibility for their own dog’s rehab,
therapy are beneficial. Active therapy typically
if possible. Some pets require more extensive
begins after suture removal, which is about ten
rehab and may come as often as three times
days after surgery. Your surgeon will work with
per week for several weeks, followed by less
us to decide what is best for your dog.
frequent visits, depending on progress. Many dogs come for wellness and conditioning one to two times weekly for swimming or manual therapy.
My dog is afraid of water. Will you be able to get him in a pool/treadmill? We use positive reinforcement and a lot of
How long does a therapy session last?
TLC to help your dog feel at ease in the water. Owner participation, including bringing favorite
Therapy lasts until the dog is well or the owner
toys and treats, will help your dog make the
feels satisfied with their dog’s progress and
transition to enjoying hydrotherapy. Most
can manage care at home. Initial evaluations
dogs begin with some level of trepidation
typically last approximately 60 minutes.
upon entering the confinement of a treadmill,
Subsequent sessions usually last about 30
but often learn to enjoy and look forward to
minutes, depending on the plan of care.
treatments.
How to Find Us Stoney Creek Pet Lodge & Rehab Center is located just off Interstate 40/85 in Whitsett. We are convenient to the Piedmont Triad region of Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem, and the Research Triangle area of Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh. Also nearby are restaurants, accommodations, shopping and golf.
6464 Burlington Road | Whitsett, NC 27377 Phone: (336) 603-6930 | Fax: (336) 603-6928 stoneycreekpetlodge@gmail.com
Like us on
www.stoneycreekpetlodge.com Stoney Creek Golf Club
70
Whitsett
nR gto
lin Bur
d
Stoney Creek Pet Lodge & Rehab Center
McDonald’s Comfort Suites Exit 135
Burlington
ck
Ro ek Cre
Greensboro
40
iry
Da . Rd
Stoney Creek Pet Lodge & Rehab Center is family owned and operated. We are dedicated to working with veterinarians and strive to provide a program to relieve pain, restore function, prevent injury and expand potential for our furry friends!
6464 Burlington Road | Whitsett, NC 27377 Phone: (336) 603-6930 | Fax: (336) 603-6928 Email: stoneycreekpetlodge@gmail.com
www.stoneycreekpetlodge.com We are dedicated to working with your veterinarian, striving to provide a program to relieve pain, restore function, prevent injury and expand potential for your furry friend!