Providing Physical Rehabilitation Therapy, Sports Medicine, and Pain Management for Atlanta’s dogs and cats.

Rehabilitation is the practice of physical therapy on animals performed by a licensed veterinary professional.

Rehab modalities can include photobiomodulation (laser therapy), massage/manual therapy, pulsed electromagnetic frequency therapy (PEMF), acupuncture, therapeutic exercise, underwater treadmill therapy, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, as well as supplements and medications to achieve the objectives set by the rehab team.

Rehab is designed to alleviate pain and improve mobility, so we try our best to avoid discomfort and make rehab a pleasant experience for pets.

Lots of pets can benefit from rehab!

• Arthritis or other degenerative joint diseases

• Musculoskeletal injuries

• Neurologic injuries and disease

• Hind end weakness

• Incontinence

• Senior pets who are slowing down with age due to muscle loss or chronic pain

• Pets requiring custom braces, orthotics, prosthetics, wheelchairs or carts

• Conditioning for sports or for working breeds

• Pre and post operative TPLO or CCL surgery

• Pre and post FHO or hip surgery

• Pre and post operative luxating patella surgery

• Pets with hip dysplasia or breeds prone to hip dysplasia

The doctor will determine an individual treatment plan for your pet. The length will vary based on the pet’s condition, but generally we recommend therapy once to twice a week.

Photobiomodulation (Laser Therapy)

This therapeutic process is known as photobiomodulation, using red light from the spectrum that is not visible (infrared). Not all infrared lights are lasers, laser is focused and has a coherent waveform. Therapeutic lasers have a specific wavelength of light known to penetrate into tissues and to provide energy directly to the cells. The cells absorb the light energy which helps them in turn produce more of their own energy to support healing and upregulate some of their natural processes, which helps reduce pain by altering the signals through pain nerves. It also helps reduce inflammation and improve circulation. The energy is applied directly to the affected tissues via a special probe. We use a class 3B laser, which is a low enough power laser that it cannot result in thermal injury and there is little chance for eye injury, however we still use protective eyewear.

The amount of energy needed varies depending on the depth of the target tissue, the type and size of the tissue, and the haircoat color of the patient (darker pigmented skin and fur absorbs more energy).

Effects are cumulative, so several treatments are typically recommended before we assess response.

Hydrotherapy (Underwater Treadmill):

Your pet will walk in an enclosed treadmill with the water raised to a specific level dependent on the condition being treated, as different levels of water can affect the movement of specific joints.

The water’s buoyancy provides support for the patient’s body weight, thus reducing load on the joints. The drag of moving the limb through the water helps to build strength more quickly, and the hydrostatic pressure helps to improve circulation. We use underwater treadmill therapy to provide low impact strengthening, assist in gait retraining following injury, and provide exercise for patients who may otherwise be unable due to home or climate conditions.

We start with very short sessions, and gradually increase time and speed depending on your pet’s progress. To make things more challenging; depending on the patient and their condition, this may include intervals of walking faster or trotting, changes in water height (to provide less support), or walking against resistance jets.

A trained therapy technician will assist your pet in the treadmill for as many sessions as needed until your pet is comfortable walking on their own (if they are able).

In addition to the treadmill workout, patients also perform targeted land-based exercises and stretching, these vary pending their specific condition and needs, and are also progressed according to patient comfort and function.

Sessions are recommended weekly to twice weekly to start, then typically decrease in frequency as your pet progresses. It typically takes a good month of regular workouts to see progress – like you going to the gym; you can’t expect to see results if you only go once every couple of weeks!

Shockwave therapy uses focused super-pulsed sound waves (not electrical) that can deliver energy deep into tissues. The energy from the high intensity shockwaves triggers the body’s own repair mechanisms, which helps speed healing.

It can stimulate blood vessel growth, reduce chronic inflammation and pain in the case of osteoarthritis, and stimulate collagen production which is important in tendon and ligament healing. It is also often used to stimulate bone growth in the case of poorly healing fractures. Shockwave treatments are tolerated very well by our canine patients. The intensity of the soundwaves starts out very low and is only increased to a level the patient can comfortably tolerate. We typically perform one to three treatments spaced one week apart, depending on the condition being treated.

What to Expect at the Initial Exam

At RVM, our experts will spend 90 minutes with your dog or cat providing a thorough physical examination to create a customized treatment plan specifically for your pet. We will work with you and the rest of your vet care team to come up with a plan that fits into your life and that will provide your best friend with the best outcome.

The first 60 minutes is spent going over your goals, history, supplements and medications with our veterinarian during a full orthopedic and neurological exam. We also take baseline measurements of muscle mass and joint range of motion, pictures of your pet’s posture and videos of their gait during this time.

The last 30 minutes includes therapy such as laser, massage, shockwave, acupuncture, or therapeutic exercises based on the examination. This is all included in the initial evaluation cost.

Your pet my be prescribed hydrotherapy or underwater treadmill at follow up visits though it will not be included at the time of the initial evaluation.

At the end of the appointment, we will create an individualized treatment plan that includes the above services as well as a custom home exercise program.

Our unique time-based therapy structure allows us to be flexible with individual needs of your pet, as well as your time and finances.

Still have questions?

Check out our Services Page or Team Page.

Or reach out to us at (770) 884-2227 or via email at info@rvmga.com.