WHAT WE DO
At Canine Rehabilitation Canberra we focus on a holistic and multi-modal approach to your dog’s mobility issues. Rehabilitation is, after all, the restoration of health or normal function. Our goal is to give your dog the best quality of life and realise their full potential. We work with you to keep them as fit, mobile and pain-free as possible, for as long as possible.
What does this mean in reality? It means we look at your dog and their lifestyle in totality, not just the ailment they present with. We know that if one part of their body hurts then it will change the way they use their whole body and we must address these compensations as well as the primary problem. We know that everything about your them impacts on their mobility – their age, weight, diet, other health issues, exercise regime and the activities they do. So we need to consider all these factors when assessing them to develop a treatment plan.
We know that there are many treatments options available and we need to work out the correct combination of treatment options for your pet. Sometimes treatment can seem limited to surgery and non-steroidal medication but there are many, many more options available. These include chiropractic care, laser therapy, soft tissue manipulation, myofascial release, therapeutic exercises, disease-modifying drugs and nutriceuticals to name just a few. We need to develop the treatment plan that will work for you and your dog. You need to be part of the process, helping us to set and achieve the treatment goals.
Of course your pet progresses their needs will change. This progression may be as part of their training in competitive sports or their recovery from an injury. It may be as they grow and mature from puppyhood or as they settle into their golden years. We need to do regular reassessments so we can help you recognize and respond to their changing needs as required. This may mean different exercises, different medications and different treatment options. Again we are working to find the balance that allows them to remain as fit, active and pain free as possible, for as long as possible.
At Canine Rehabilitation Canberra we also do fitness assessments. This may be for your sporting dog, to ensure that they are fit for the activity they are performing. If there are issues we can talk about treatment options. Puppies also benefit greatly from regular fitness assessments to ensure they are growing appropriately and not developing issues that will trouble them in later life. Geriatrics also need regular assessment to ensure we maintain their quality of life for as long as possible.