The Benefits of a Veterinarian-Run Rehab Facility

After years of overlooking the importance of physical therapy in animals, we are finally catching up!  Rehabilitation centers are opening all across the country.  But, they are not all created equal.  Some are veterinarian-run and some are not.  We feel strongly that a rehabilitation center run by veterinarians and staffed with licensed veterinary technicians has essential benefits every step of the way.

The Referral Process

All rehabilitation cases require a veterinarian referral.   Some owners may not have a referral for rehab, but would like to pursue it on their own.  An owner that would like to start their animal in a rehab or conditioning program can come straight to a veterinarian-run rehab facility, obtain their referral from the onsite veterinarian and start their rehab program at the very first appointment.

Some cases have a complicated history with complex veterinary medical records.  A veterinarian has the education to interpret these medical records and the firsthand experience to understand the nature of the injury or surgery and the expected recovery.   Veterinarians speak the same language.  The rehab veterinarian is able to communicate effectively with the patient’s own veterinarian to collaborate on the rehabilitation plan.

The Immediate Post-Operative or Post-Injury Period

The initial evaluation is incredibly important.  A rehab veterinarian can perform a thorough physical exam and musculoskeletal exam.  This can help confirm the presenting diagnosis or develop a diagnosis if one has not yet been determined.   The post-operative or post-injury period is particularly fragile and having an experienced veterinarian trained in aseptic technique, wound care, bandaging and emergency and critical care can be invaluable.

Mitigating pain is an essential first step in rehabilitation.  While rehab medicine focuses primarily on tools and techniques to decrease pain without medication, sometimes it is necessary.  Veterinarians have extensive experience with pain management and can prescribe or adjust medications right away when needed.

The Exercise Restriction Period

The period of exercise restriction after an injury or surgery is often one of the most challenging.  A rehab specific veterinarian has extensive training to understand what an animal can and cannot do during this phase.  The goal is to keep the animal’s mind busy and to keep their muscles and joints as strong and as mobile as possible during this period.   The injured tissue is fragile during this stage, but a licensed veterinary professional will understand just how much to stress the injury - too little exercise results in disorganized healing and too much, too soon can result in re-injury.

Athletic animals can struggle with limited exercise, as they are used to expending their energy with high levels activity.  A veterinarian can alter the animal’s nutrition to decrease excessive energy.  Treatment modalities such as pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, vibration plate therapy and acupuncture are used to release natural endorphins and calm the animal during this period.  Keeping them mentally stimulated is key.   On occasion, medication is needed to help keep an animal quiet.  A veterinarian can determine if this is necessary and is licensed to prescribe medication when needed.

The Increasing Work Phase

One of the most important parts of rehab is assessing and reassessing the animal to determine how they are responding to their rehabilitation program.  This will include musculoskeletal palpation, soundness exam and possibly radiograph or ultrasound imaging. These assessments help direct when it is appropriate to increase work load and when it is necessary to take a step back or change the course of therapy.

Occasionally, an animal will start back into work and a lameness or other issue will surface.  A veterinarian can help assess and diagnose whether this may be a recurrence of the original issue or a different issue, which could represent a need for strengthening or a need for therapeutics.  A veterinarian can help diagnose and treat problems which may arise.

Conclusion

While there is good training and certification in rehabilitation available to both veterinary professionals and non-veterinary professionals, nothing can replace the vast level of training and the breadth of experience a veterinarian receives.   Continuing education is essential to keep a practitioner up-to-date with current research and standards of care.  Veterinarians are required to complete a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education per year and a licensed veterinary technician is required to complete 8 hours per year.  A non-veterinary professional has NO requirement for continuing education to maintain their ability to practice rehab medicine.

Experience and continuous education is invaluable and we are reminded of the need for it on a daily basis as we rehab all types of cases at Veterinary Rehabilitation Services of Virginia.