Available for decades in human medicine, pain management, physical therapy and rehabilitation are on the rise in the veterinary profession. As the life expectancy of our pets increases, the bonds between owners and their companions becomes increasingly stronger. PetSafe Vet Therapy is dedicated to giving pets a better quality of life by providing the best technologies in veterinary therapy.
The Stance Analyzer is becoming a go to tool for many universities. It is currently being used by NC State, Ohio State, Iowa State, University of Tennessee, Texas A&M, and the University of Montreal. The University of Tennessee recently held free check-ups for service dogs in which they performed eye and orthopedic exams. The brief video below shows a portion of the exam.
By Darcy Lockman for The Dog Daily
Brooklyn-based marketing manager Lori Townsend adopted her long-haired dachshund, Daisy, when the pup was weaned at 10 weeks old. Daisy had no health problems to speak of until soon after her seventh birthday: Suddenly she emptied her water dish more frequently and soaked the bathroom rug regularly with urine. “She hadn’t had an accident since she was a puppy, so I knew something was wrong,” says Townsend. She took her furry friend to the veterinarian, who tested Daisy’s urine and blood and ultimately diagnosed the dog with diabetes.
“Diabetes is pretty common in middle-age dogs,” says Virginia-based emergency veterinarian Dr. Katy Nelson. “Nobody knows why it happens, but the cells in the pancreas that make insulin begin to dysfunction.” Below, Nelson explains the signs and treatment of diabetes mellitus (aka “sugar diabetes”) in canines.
What Is Diabetes Mellitus?
Just as humans get two types of diabetes (type 1 and 2), so do pets. Dogs are more likely by far to have type 1, insulin-dependent diabetes, which results from the body’s failure to produce insulin. Canines are at much lower risk for type 2, insulin-resistant diabetes, in which cells cannot use insulin properly. Nevertheless, about one in every 100 dogs will develop diabetes in its lifetime.
“It does run in families, and certain breeds seem more vulnerable to it,” says Nelson. Cocker spaniels, dachshunds, Dobermans, German shepherds, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, Pomeranians, terriers and toy poodles top the list of breeds most likely to develop the disease.
What Are the Symptoms?
“PU/PD,” says Nelson, referring to polyuria (urinating a lot) and polydipsia (drinking a lot). “All of a sudden you can’t keep the water bowl full, and a house-trained dog is going all over the place.” She adds that sudden weight change — loss or gain — as well as vomiting and diarrhea are additional possible symptoms.
“The symptoms are pretty nonspecific. The most common thing we have people bring their dogs in for is acting strange, and drinking and peeing a lot.”
How Is It Treated?
There is no cure for canine diabetes, but it can be managed to maintain a pet’s quality of life. The treatment for diabetes in dogs involves three parts:
1. Insulin injections. “This is No. 1,” says Nelson. The dog’s insulin must be regulated, which takes a few months of trial-and-error dosing in order to happen. “You need to like your veterinarian, because you’re going to see that person a lot.” Dogs are monitored frequently, often during 24-hour office visits, in the period following initial diagnosis. A diabetic dog requires due diligence from the owner, who most typically must inject the dog twice daily, at fairly precise 12-hour intervals. The needles are small, and when administered in the scruff of the neck while the dog is eating, the dog may not even notice the prick.
2. Diet. Overweight dogs have an increased chance of developing diabetes. However, a diabetes diet does not necessarily mean one that promotes weight loss, just one that is prescribed by the veterinarian. Says Nelson: “I suggest a food with a high-quality, animal-based protein source with an immediate glucose source like rice but also an extended glucose source like corn or barley.” Meals must be provided on a consistent schedule as well.
3. Exercise. Regular exercise can improve insulin absorption in diabetic dogs. However, more is not always better. A diabetic dog should have roughly the same amount of exercise each day (or an increasing amount only slowly) to avoid hypoglycemia. That condition can result in loss of consciousness and the need for emergency treatment. Your veterinarian should supervise your furry friend’s workout regimen along with its insulin and diet.
Townsend’s dachshund, Daisy, just celebrated her ninth
birthday. The chronic condition has not been easy for Townsend to contend with.
“She definitely needs a lot more care than before she developed diabetes,” says
the dog lover, who not only injects her pet with insulin each morning and
evening at 7, but also tests her pet’s blood glucose before each meal with a
blood glucose meter and urine test strips. Townshend additionally takes Daisy
to the veterinarian regularly and is extra-vigilant to ensure her pet does not
get into the trash. “It’s hard work, but I wouldn’t treat a member of my family
any other way,” says Townsend.
Darcy Lockman is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to The Dog Daily. Her work has appeared in The New York Times and Rolling Stone. She lives in Brooklyn with the prettiest pug dog in the five boroughs.
DVM 360 posted an interesting article was written about what investments vets are looking to make and what kind of return they can expect. Looking at the chart of what vets have on their wishlist it is exciting to see that both Laser Therapy and Rehab/Physical Therapy are in the top ten.
Read the full article here
ABOUT JESSICA
Jessica Morris serves as the Program Manager for PetSafe Vet Therapy. Jessica has a B.S. in Finance and Psychology and an MBA in Marketing and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Prior to joining PetSafe, Jessica founded a consulting practice delivering comprehensive management and business-development solutions to both start-up and established companies. Jessica lives in Knoxville, Tennessee and is currently fostering 3 rescued puppies.
By Derek Hagman, Vet Therapy Marketing Specialist
Our Underwater Treadmill really has the ability to change a dog’s life and the relationship they have with their owner. If you don’t believe me, just ask Becka and Sadie Wilson!
Sadie is an eight-year-old boxer, who Becka and her family love with all they have. They have enjoyed many years of fetch in the back yard, vacations, workdays, and other fun memories together. Last September, Becka started to notice Sadie would drag her back right paw when she got tired.
“At first, we thought she was being lazy, getting old, or just twisted it,” Becka explains. “But, in January, we noticed she was doing it all the time. We would play in the yard, and when she would jump, her back legs couldn’t catch her. We knew it was more serious.”
Sadie got to enjoy another beach vacation with her family this year after underwater therapy helped her combat DM.
Becka took Sadie to the Veterinary Hospital at the University of Tennessee, and they did a few DNA tests. Both her parents came back as carriers of Canine Degenerative Myelopathy, so the doctors diagnosed Sadie with the disease. She was losing sensation to her hind legs, and Becka knew she needed to do something to combat the disease.
“We continued to see even worse side effects,” Becka said. “Sadie also has cardio myopathy, but we managed it with medication and understanding how to control it. Going from thinking she would eventually die from heart failure to thinking I would have to put her down when she lost complete control of her back legs and bowels. But, lucky for us, Sadie is a trooper.”
Soon after the diagnosis, Sadie began treatment with the PetSafe Vet Therapy products at UT. Size weeks into her package of physical therapy including the underwater treadmill, Sadie is doing much better!
“When I took her for the first session, she was dragging her paw so bad she had worn her toes down and they were bleeding,” Becka said. “I was having to wrap her foot, but now I don’t have to wrap them at all because she picks them up. I’m convinced it is a result of the physical therapy and the treadmill. They taught her how to overcompensate to pick them up. Well, she thinks she is overcompensating but really it is just her new normal.”
When the process started, Becka and her family were planning a vacation. For the last 7 years, Sadie had gone with them, but they thought for sure it would be too much for her this year.
“When I picked her up from physical therapy the day before we left, she was so energetic and happy that I knew she had to come,” Becka said. “I called my husband right away. It was really important for us to let her experience this year, because it may be her last time.”
Since DM is a progressive condition and nonreversible, Sadie will never fully recover but Becka’s goal is to continue using the underwater treatments to keep her muscles strong and prolong her life. Sometimes dogs with DM end up in a harness or a wheelchair, but the therapy has improved and prolonged Sadie’s life.
“At first, I saw a quick progression of the disease,” Becka said. “But, during her first session, her tail was straight up and her ears were folded, which I know that is happy Sadie. Now, every time I pick her up, I see happy Sadie. Seeing her enjoy the treadmill and seeing the rate of improvement has helped me.”
“When you know the end of your dog’s life is coming, you can’t help but to start to separate yourself and battle with it on a daily basis, but now this treatment has complete reversed that disconnection and helped my family remain positive.”
About Derek
Derek Hagman is the Marketing Specialist for PetSafe Vet Therapy. He recently attained his Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee. Derek did his under-graduate work at the University of Florida where he majored in Communications and minored in Business. Derek comes from a long line of dog lovers and currently is playing uncle/baby-sitter/general spoiler of two Dobermans, Dexter & Khaleesi and one Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Connelly James.
In exciting news for veterinarians who have added therapy and rehabilitation to their practice. Trupanion, a medical insurance company, has added Acupuncture, Physical Therapy, and Hydrotherapy as services that can now be covered in their Complementary Care Package.
We at PetSafe Vet Therapy view this as a signal that the business side of the industry is starting to wake up to therapy as a very legitimate and viable service. To view the details of their Complementary Care Package you can click here or go to the Trupanion website www.trupanion.com to see details on the coverage.
Trupanion is not the only insurance company offering coverage for rehab and therapy. Embrace pet insurance has offered packages with a full range of coverage since 2006. Click here to read more about insurance companies entering the rehab market.
ABOUT JESSICA
Jessica Morris serves as the Program Manager for PetSafe Vet Therapy. Jessica has a B.S. in Finance and Psychology and an MBA in Marketing and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Prior to joining PetSafe, Jessica founded a consulting practice delivering comprehensive management and business-development solutions to both start-up and established companies. Jessica lives in Knoxville, Tennessee and is currently fostering 3 rescued puppies.
By Brad Kloza for The Dog Daily
As a senior emergency clinician at New York City Veterinary Specialists, Trisha Joyce, DVM, has seen her share of doggie trauma. But she says some of the saddest cases are the least dramatic: dogs suffering from severe arthritis.
“One family brought in their Labrador that was so arthritic he couldn’t even get up to go to the bathroom,” Dr. Joyce says. “His overall health was OK, but he was just too big and too arthritic. The owners came in to euthanize, which was a really hard decision because it’s not like he had a life-threatening disease. But there was no practical way to manage it at home.”
Dog Arthritis Is Common
Scientific studies indicate that 20 percent of middle-aged dogs and 90 percent of older dogs have osteoarthritis in at least one joint. it’s hard to stop the disease once it has set in, according to James Cook, DVM, at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
“There are two problems we see in osteoarthritis,” explains Dr. Cook. “One is we don’t have a cure, and the other is that we still see progression of arthritis even after the best treatments. Both of those problems come from the fact that we diagnose it too late.”
A Research Breakthrough
Dr. Cook and his research team, however, may have found the key to early diagnosis. It’s what he calls “the Holy Grail” in the fluid that surrounds and lubricates the joints of both dogs and people. Dr. Cook sampled this fluid from dogs known to have osteoarthritis and from others without the disease. As he wrote in the American Journal of Veterinary Research, when he analyzed the proteins in the fluid, a pattern became evident.
The scientists noticed that quality and quantity of this fluid were altered in arthritic dogs. Examining the fluid even more closely, they identified seven proteins that appear to be linked to arthritis. The proteins increase and decrease in patterns that “are consistently different than [patterns] found in normal patients with no arthritis at all,” notes Dr. Cook.
The Next Steps
Dr. Cook and his team plan to follow healthy dogs over time to see if the pattern can correctly predict which dogs end up getting arthritis. If everything happens as theorized and according to schedule, he hopes that a screening test will be available for young dogs in three to four years.
Until then, here is some practical advice for dog owners worried about, or already dealing with, canine arthritis:
A Cure on the Horizon
Is the ultimate solution — a cure for arthritis — within reach? Dr. Cook says he hopes his research is starting to point in the direction of a cure. If his pattern of biomarkers can truly predict arthritis, scientists will be closer to determining the root causes of the disease.
“Now we know earlier steps in the process,” he says. “If we can address those steps, we could potentially have a cure. We are getting to the foundation steps, or the critical cogs in the wheel, of what becomes arthritis.”
Brad Kloza is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to The Dog Daily. His work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine and Discover.
By Erica Shoults, DVM
From understanding canine hydrotherapy uses to how to market to clients, you will have the information necessary for a successful canine hydrotherapy program, and we will give you the tools to make your purchase of an underwater treadmill a valuable one by the end of this post.
Consider how much you will utilize the underwater treadmill in your facility. Orthopedic and neurologic post-operative rehabilitation, such as cranial cruciate ligament tears or intervertebral disc disease, are the most popular reasons patients need hydrotherapy. Because you can raise the water to the height that minimizes the weight of the patient, he or she can exercise in a controlled environment.
The underwater treadmill also allows pets with degenerative diseases, such as hip dysplasia or degenerative myelopathy, to walk with stability and confidence with the support of the water. It may also be incorporated into your patients’ conditioning and weight loss programs. Extra resistance can provide an additional challenge for the canine athlete, while overweight patients can comfortably workout to improve their cardiovascular fitness and shed pounds.
You will also need to plan where you will put the underwater treadmill in your clinic. By measuring the space and having a drawing created showing you where the pieces will be oriented within your clinic will be the best way you can ensure an aquatic treadmill will fit as you have planned.
It is important to understand how to charge for therapy sessions in order to recoup your investment. The average treatment ranges anywhere from $30 to $50 when rehabilitating patients. For conditioning or weight loss sessions, you may charge per time or per workout, such as $15 for every 15 minutes in the treadmill or $25 to $50 per workout. But, selling packages for the treadmill is the most effective way to charge. Just as many humans pay for gym memberships, owners can select the best hydrotherapy option for their pet.
After you purchase an underwater treadmill for your practice, develop your own personalized marketing plan and contact your local news outlets to see if they would give you some recognition within the community. You could also host an open house featuring the underwater treadmill inviting your existing clientele along with other animal clinics and pet owners in the area.
As your underwater treadmill improves the lives of your patients, consider adding video testimonials from owners to your website and other social media outlets. Letting those around you know about your state-of-the-art services will help you maintain a steady stream of patients and income.
As you can see, the benefits far outweigh any concerns you have about the initial purchase of the underwater treadmill. You can recoup your investment in a timely fashion and begin to see a profit with these tips. Evaluating your patient needs, planning its location, and developing a marketing strategy will provide you with the ultimate plan for incorporating aquatic therapy into your practice.
By Jennifer Viegas for The Dog Daily
From dealing with arthritic hips to recovering from a recent surgery, dogs nationwide are benefitting from new interest in animal pain management centers. These veterinary practices specializing in pain alleviation are now available to help you and your dog, no matter the situation, whether you have an elderly dog or one that suffers from a more chronic condition.
How the Process Starts
All veterinarians offer pain medications, but you might want a specialist in pain management. If so, and depending on where you live, you might wind up at places like the Animal Pain Management Center in Snyder, N.Y.; the Downing Center for Animal Pain Management in Windsor, Colo.; or at Mountain Ridge Animal Hospital & Pain Management Center in Lafayette, Colo.
Even if you are seeking a second opinion, your dog will likely have to undergo routine blood work and X-rays. “These allow us to see exactly what’s going on,” says Michele Beveridge, practice manager of Mountain Ridge. Dogs may try to hide their pain and illness. Conversely, some of their behaviors might be misinterpreted as pain. It’s therefore essential to find out the truth behind the symptoms. “We cannot just pass out medications,” says Beveridge. “If medications are prescribed, we also have to run routine blood tests, since each individual handles medications differently.”
Available Treatments
Once a diagnosis is made, one or more pain medications may be prescribed. Alternative treatments are also possible. These could be offered in addition to the prescribed meds. They may include one or more of the following:
Dogs Can Live a Pain-free Life
Thanks to new therapies and animal pain management specialists, your dog has a very good chance of living a long, healthy and pain-free life. If your dog suffers from a serious illness, sometimes discomfort can hurt the chances for healing. For example, many dog cancer patients suffer from appetite loss after chemotherapy. Bianchi believes acupuncture can help to both relieve pain following cancer treatments and prevent this loss of appetite that often happens. Your dog then has a better chance of eating as usual, keeping your pet’s strength up at a time when fortitude is needed.
Your dog’s behavior might even improve for the better. “Many times, a pet may act out or be aggressive toward other humans or animals because of pain,” says Bianchi. “By relieving the pain, a pet’s natural even temperament emerges, resolving the behavioral problems.”
Jennifer Viegas is the managing editor of The Dog Daily. She is a journalist for Discovery News, the news service for the Discovery Channel, and has written more than 20 books on animals, health and other science-related topics.
By Erica Shoults, DVM
Choices can be wonderful blessings or they can sometimes be a thorn in our side, especially when both options are beneficial. When it comes to electrotherapy for your patients, you want to make the right decision. Between deciding between TENS vs. NMES, choosing the proper electrode, and knowing when to utilize electrotherapy, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Yet, with this information, you will be able to understand in what instances each one is used and how they will affect your patient.
TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, is a form of e-stim used to modify pain. By stimulating sensory nerves and blocking pain receptors to the brain, the method reduces tension and inflammation causing pain in the treatment area. The most common waveforms used in animal physical therapy to perform TENS are Interferential Current, IFC, and Premodulated Interferential Current, Premod. Both soothing tingling sensations feel soothing for the pet patient. In any cause you want to help your patient manage discomfort, you may use this type of therapy.
With NMES, or neuromuscular electrical stimulation, you can stimulate muscles to cause a contraction. Motor nerves are stimulated within muscle groups to cause them to move or contract and then release when the stimulation stops. For animal rehabilitation, the most common waveforms used for NMES are Variable Muscle Stimulation, VMS, or High Volt, HV. These provide the broadest range of programmable and modifiable parameters for muscle contractions. Before using NMES, you want to be sure to create the proper settings for the pet to undergo the contraction so that you do not add to the discomfort he or she is currently experiencing. When you want to reeducate muscles, enhance their strength, prevent atrophy, reduce spasms and edema, NMES is the best option. It is also a popular form of e-stim for patients in post-surgical care.
After you choose your e-stim method, you must choose your electrode. This decision may be as simple as the first. First, look at the s area being covered and choose electrodes that will sufficiently fit within it while being placed one inch apart. This may require that you have to use four electrodes to cover larger surface areas or cut the electrodes down to a smaller size in order to fit smaller areas. Next, consider the best medium be conduct the current appropriately through the tissue. Either choose disposable, self-adhesive electrodes with their own conducting gel or reusable electrodes with ultrasound gel as the conducting agent will work. No matter the size or usability electrodes, it is extremely important the treated area is shaved and free of any hair.
Whether managing discomfort or using e-stim for post-surgical rehab of pets, several electrotherapy options are available to accomplish your goals. Providing electrotherapy using the appropriate electrodes will create happy and healthy pets for you and their owners.
By Kim Boatman for The Dog Daily
Frankie scampers through life, tail wagging and wheels rolling, says owner Barbara Techel. That’s why Frankie, a perky dachshund left partially paralyzed after a fall, has been named the mascot for National Disabled Pets Day.
National Disabled Pets Day, May 3, is an effort to promote recognition of disabled dogs like Frankie. Organizers hope to draw attention to the disabled, special-needs and geriatric pets awaiting adoption. The day is also intended to encourage animal lovers to volunteer time or donate money to organizations that assist disabled dogs and other disabled animals.
“Watching Frankie persevere, I knew we had an amazing opportunity to educate others that animals with disabilities can and do live quality lives if we give them a chance,” says Techel, who has written two books about Frankie “the walk ’n’ roll dog.” Frankie even works as a therapy dog, visiting the residents in a seniors’ facility. While Frankie’s back legs don’t work, he runs and plays like any other dog, happy to be alive.
Celebrating Disabled Dogs
Frankie is far from alone, says Laura Bradshaw, executive director of Healing Hearts Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, where disabled dogs and other special-needs animals are given a permanent home or placed for adoption, when possible. “Not everybody knows that these disabled dogs can have fun, full, happy lives,” says Bradshaw. “We’re trying to get that perception changed.”
Owners of disabled dogs are often eager to share their pals’ tales. Here are just a few:
Gidget keeps up at the local dog park by playing smart. She will anticipate other dogs’ moves and “cut them off at the pass,” explains Kaufmann. The irrepressible Cocker Spaniel even digs for clams on beach vacations, despite having just one front leg.
Help for Disabled Dogs and Their Owners
Dog owners can be overwhelmed when confronted with a disabled dog’s needs, says Lisa R. LaVerdiere, executive director of Home for Life, a Minneapolis animal sanctuary that takes in disabled dogs. “A lot of times, people with a disabled animal need some coaching and support,” she says.
If your dog is disabled or you are considering adopting a disabled dog, you’ll find a number of resources online, says LaVerdiere. You can also seek advice from organizations such as Home for Life or Healing Hearts. Companies like Eddie’s Wheels sell carts or wheelchairs for dogs, and you’ll even find diaper covers and special harnesses and slings for dogs that need assistance.
“I would tell owners of disabled dogs that their dogs can live a great life because these dogs don’t think about what they can’t do,” says LaVerdiere. “They think about what they can do.”
Kim Boatman is a journalist based in Northern California. She is also the managing editor of ExceptionalCanine.com. Boatman’s work has appeared in The Miami Herald, the Detroit Free Press and the San Jose Mercury News. She is a lifelong lover of animals, and a frequent contributor to The Dog Daily.
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