Services

About Canine Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy


Dr. Brown assists a geriatric patient with mobility trainingCanine Rehabilitation works much like human rehabilitation. Using various methods and equipment, veterinarians are able to implement a treatment plan to restore mobility, strengthen muscles and joints, help dogs heal faster post-operatively while focusing on reducing pain.


Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP)


In December 2005, Dr. Mark Brown completed the education and examination requirements at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine's Canine Rehabilitation Program and became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practioner (CCRP).

Benefits of Canine Rehabilitation


  • Faster healing of wounds & injuries
  • Speedier recovery from surgery
  • Reduced pain
  • Reduced muscle tightness & spasms
  • Increased muscle strength
  • Increased endurance & balance
  • Improved circulation
  • Improved cardiovascular health
  • Reduced anxiety & stress
  • Weight loss

We're pleased to offer the following services at the Tampa Bay K9 Rehabilitation Center in Saint Petersburg:

Stem cell therapy now available!

Dr. Brown & Dr. Faber are certified to collect and administer regenerative stem cells to treat osteoarthritis in dogs & cats. For more information, view video on Youtube.

Picture2008_002_1.jpgHydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy in our facility consists of swim tanks with underwater jets to create currents, an underwater treadmill, exercise tank, whirlpool and E-stim therapy tank. Hydrotherapy uses buoyancy and heat, thereby decreasing compressive forces on joints. Geriatric, obese and post-surgical animals can exercise for longer periods of time than they can on land. This type of therapy restores muscle mass and adds greater mobility to joints. It is primarily used for osteoarthritis, for injuries, and post-operatively.

Picture: Canine patient utilizing the swim tank



Physical Conditioning

Canine patient utilizing the underwater treadmill (hydrotherapy)

Healthy dogs can also benefit from physical conditioning sessions at the Tampa Bay K9 Rehabilitation Center. Clients may schedule appointments for exercise and conditioning in the underwater treadmill for agility training dogs, dogs that are boarding at Central Animal Hospital that require additional exercise, and obese dogs under the doctor's care for weight loss.

Picture: Canine patient utilizing the underwater treadmill


Cold Laser

A senior pet receives massage therapyAlso referred to as low-level laser, cold laser has been used for years in equine medicine for injuries of tendons, ligaments and poor healing wounds. The veterinarians in our rehabilitation center are excited to be able to offer this treatment as we are one of the first small animal practices to use this in the state of Florida.

Picture: A pet receives cold laser therapy


Massage Therapy


Massage Therapy improves blood circulation, reduces inflammation, prevents muscle spasms, relieves pain, and loosens and stretches contracted tissues. We have certified staff in Canine Massage Therapy on hand in the Tampa Bay K-9 Rehabilitation Center.

Neuromuscular Electrostimulation (NMES)


NMES, a commonly used form of electrical stimulation, causes muscle contraction. It is used after surgery or for injuries to prevent loss of muscle mass or to increase muscle strength and joint range of motion, decrease pain and swelling. When combined with hydrotherapy, many of our older debilitated canine patients realize significant pain relief from ongoing NMES therapy.



Land Exercise Therapy and Mobility Training


Canine Rehabilitation and Physical TherapyLand exercises are used to improve coordination, strengthen collateral muscles, and stimulate neural aptitude after nerve or neuromuscular injury such as intevertebral disc disease.

Picture: Dr. Brown assists a geriatric patient with mobility training

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