| Rehabilitation
REHABILITATION can add years to your dog’s
life
 by
Susan Marino
Veterinarian Laurie McCauley made a life
altering decision almost five years ago.
Unsatisfied with a veterinary practice
that would not allow her to offer acupuncture
and chiropractic services to her clients,
she decided to venture out on her own.
Today Dr. McCauley is one of the pioneers
in the field of animal rehabilitation
and runs TOPS, a state-of-the-art facility
in Grayslake, Illinois. She feels rehabilitation
is the wave of the future.
“I believe canine physical therapy
and rehabilitation will branch out into
specialties and be as integral a part
of veterinary medicine as physical therapy
is to human medicine,” says Dr.
McCauley.
Apparently, other animal healers agree.
More than twenty veterinarians in the
U.S. have left general practices to devote
their skills to animal rehabilitation.
“Animal rehabilitation and physical
therapy is a vastly expanding specialty,”
says Denis J. Marcellin-Little, DEDV,
Assistant Professor of Orthopedic at North
Carolina State University. “We have
known the value of physical therapy for
many years and are now doing research
that theoretically proves its value in
veterinary medicine,” he says. The
proof is in the results; with physical
therapy the animals get better.
Animals frequently suffer from neurological
and orthopedic conditions which can leave
them with decreased mobility and limited
ability to perform normal activities.
Regardless of the method of treatment,
either surgical or conservative, physical
therapy is an integral part of the healing
process, says Dr. Marcellin-Little. “Rehabilitation
can often mean the difference between
success and failure.”
Beyond
painkillers and discomfort
Approximately two-thirds of dogs undergoing
rehabilitation are suffering from chronic
problems such as osteoarthritis. “The
leading orthopedic problems in our companion
animals are hip dysplasia and torn cranial
cruciate ligament followed by luxations
and trauma,” says Dr. Marcellin-Little.
While the use of vibrational medicine
is often more limited in this very mainstream
field than in other medical fields, chiropractic
and acupuncture have made inroads. However,
in my own rehabilitation work, I have
found that integrating allopathic and
holistic medicine can shorten healing
time and enhance wellness for our four-legged
patients. Some of the modalities to keep
in mind include:
Nutrition:
A well-rounded rehabilitation program
starts with good nutrition. With degenerative
diseases, it is necessary to biologically
rebuild. In addition, weight management
also plays an important role so painful
joints don’t experience unnecessary
stress. Begin with a high quality diet
that can be tailored with supplements.
For arthritic conditions, it’s important
to produce an alkaline environment, which
allows the condition to heal. Omega-3
and omega-6 linoleic fatty acids help
lubricate joints. Vitamins C and E work
together to rebuild cartilage and also
limit free radicals, which are partly
responsible for inflammation. Glucosamine
sulfate fights against inflammation and
can help build cartilage. Apple cider
vinegar has been known to alleviate the
pain of arthritis. Finally, avoid feeding
nightshade vegetables such as green peppers,
potatoes, and tomatoes. For acute conditions
(usually resulting from traumas such as
accidental fractures or surgery) a diet
rich in silica, particularly in rolled
oats, is essential for bone maintenance.
Herbs:
There are many herbs used in the treatment
of arthritis. One of the most effective
is Devil’s claw, which reduces inflammation
in degenerative conditions.
Homeopathy: can
help improve healing and manage pain.
Arnica is an excellent first aid remedy.
It is used for physical and emotional
shock and injury. It promotes healing
of injured tissues and regulates bleeding.
Symphytum, also called knitbone, is used
to promote bone healing after a fracture.
Rhus toxicodendron is used if there is
stiffness when getting up (cold and wet
aggravate pain). Bryonia is recommended
when pain increases with movement.
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