Hydrotherapy
Exercising in water has many benefits including improving strength, increasing and maintaining muscle mass, gait retraining, improving endurance and range of motion. It is a great modality to aid in weight loss and to minimise pain associated with physical activity.
Buoyancy can ease the pain associated with arthritic joints as it decreases the load through the joints and eases pressure on muscles compared to exercise on land. It can also aid in the rehabilitation of spinal patients as it provides proprioceptive feedback.
there are many conditions that hydrotherapy can be beneficial for including:
- Postoperative orthopaedic surgeries such as cruciate stabilisation, patella luxation, hip replacements, and fracture
- Neurological conditions
- General conditioning
- Weight loss
- Osteoarthritis
Before starting a hydrotherapy program with VVRC, your pet must have an assessment with our rehab veterinarian to ensure hydrotherapy is a suitable modality for them. We check if there are any underlying muscle or tendon discomfort, as well as underlying heart issues we need to be aware of before beginning.
We begin with a nose-to-tail rehabilitation evaluation performed by our rehab vet, Dr Rebecca. From this we derive our problem list, realistic goals are established and an exercise & treatment plan is formulated. Initially our rehab technicians will see you on a weekly basis to teach you and your pet the exercises developed by Dr Rebecca, ensuring correct technique and the safety for both owner and pet. From there, there will be regular evaluations to ensure patient comfort, fine tune exercises, and to confirm we are meeting our goals set in the initial assessment.
We have a range of programs available:
All Day Rehab Programs
This is a convenient way to have your pet receive multiple tailored treatments throughout the day. Being spread out over a full day means your dog gets adequate rest between therapies. This is particularly beneficial for our senior dogs and those recovering from injury or illness.
This holistic approach fulfils both the emotional and physical needs of patients in our care. Our admissions for this program start at 8:15am and discharge appointments are mostly between 5pm and 6pm.
Post Surgery Programs
This is a 12 week post surgery recovery program for dogs having undergone orthopaedic procedures such as Cruciate Surgery, Spinal Surgery and Fracture repairs. It provides the most benefit when started as soon as possible after surgery. This program is delivered through single sessions which can be booked weekly or as recommended by our therapists.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is scientifically proven to reduce your pet’s pain and inflammation, and can be safely used to treat a variety of conditions including:
- Post surgery incisions
- Gastrointestinal disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Edema and inflammation
- Infections
- Muscle tears
- Tendon and ligament strains
- Skin conditions and ear infections
What is Laser Therapy?
Treatment Plans
Laser therapy can be used as a once off treatment for minor conditions (e.g., post spey or castration) to help reduce the initial pain and inflammation associated with the surgery. It can also be used to assist severe or chronic conditions such as large wounds, muscle and joint injuries or disease processes. The frequency of laser therapy for chronic conditions is tailored to each condition and patient – there is no ‘one size fits all’
What should I expect in a laser session?
Your pet will feel a gentle, soothing warmth from the laser, as their pain is eased during their laser sessions. Most pets are very relaxed during their treatments – some even fall asleep!
A handpiece is passed over your pet’s injury or area of condition. Depending on your pet’s condition, a contact or non-contact applicator will be used. There is no clipping or shaving of your pet’s fur.
Depending on the location of laser therapy, your pet, you, and the technician delivering the laser treatment will be provided with eye protection to wear during treatment. Make sure you snap a cute picture of your pet in their “doggles”!
Is it the same as red light therapy?
No. It is much more powerful. There are 2 classes of lasers available for use in veterinary settings – Class 3B and Class 4. The most significant difference between the two lasers is their maximum power output. While Class 3B have a limited emission of only 0.5 watts of power, Class 4 lasers allow users to select from a watt range between 0.5W and 25W. Due to the increased power available, Class 4 lasers are able to provide a deeper penetration, quicker than a Class 3B laser would, aiding your pets healing further.
