How Rehabilitation Can Help Pets When Surgery Isn’t an Option

A well-designed rehabilitation program, developed and implemented by credentialed veterinary professionals, can help a wide range of patients, from those struggling with osteoarthritis to those facing other challenging conditions. One recent case here at BEVS involved a healthy adult dog who developed a nonsurgical lesion in her spinal cord, rendering her unable to use her hind legs. Since surgery wasn’t an option, it was up to the BEVS Rehabilitation team to help Haley get back on her feet.

Haley – Mixed Breed Dog

Patient: Haley, 8-year-old FS mixed breed, good health, adopted by owners October 2021

Reason for visit: Initially seen in ER for possible back injury. Haley was running in the yard, came in acting oddly, biting at back leg, progressed to knuckling, then dragging her right hind leg.

Exam/Diagnostics: Upon presentation in the ER, Haley was painful on caudal spinal palpation; otherwise nonpainful on long bone or joint manipulation/palpation; non-ambulatory monoparesis in LH, monoplegia in RH with absent deep pain sensation.

Localization: T3-caudal myelopathy, right.

Treatment: Initial diagnostics (CBC/CHEM/UA, chest and abdominal radiographs) were unremarkable. Haley was admitted to the hospital and started on methadone, Solu-Medrol® (once), pantoprazole, gabapentin, and tramadol. The following morning, she was examined by Alison Cowan, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology), and an MRI was performed.

MRI report: Acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion L3/4 right lateralized.

Our Rehabilitation team evaluated Haley before discharge, and she received an electroacupuncture treatment by Pamela Brown, DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVPP (image below). Rehab nurse Lyn Garson, CVT, CCRP, demonstrated some proprioceptive exercises for owners to start at home.

Neurological Examination at Discharge: Non-ambulatory paraparesis (plegic with absent deep pain sensation on the right, grade II on the left). Absent femoral and sciatic reflexes on the right, intact on the left. Bladder small to moderate size, easily expressible. Remainder of neurologic and general exam wnl.

Rehabilitation Plan: Haley was discharged with prednisone, gabapentin, omeprazole, trazodone, and was set up with activity restriction for four weeks and a plan for physical rehabilitation. This video shows her condition on the first day of rehab. Electroacupuncture was continued weekly for a total of four outpatient treatments. Haley then began underwater treadmill therapy (view video here) twice weekly in addition to her owners being diligent with her home exercise program.

One week after discharge, deep pain was noted in the fourth and fifth digits of the right hind. The following week, she began getting up on her own and showing early motor in the right hind (as shown in this video.) She continues to improve and is walking on her own.

Takeaway: Haley had a nonsurgical lesion in her spinal cord. With dedicated owners, and the ability to start electroacupuncture and exercises early in her condition, she became a functional and happy dog.

We Can Help Your Patients Enjoy a Better Quality of Life

There’s a reason veterinarians refer their patients to BEVS for physical rehabilitation. It works! Improving quality of life through better mobility and reduced pain is always the goal, and most of our patients end up having fun while they’re healing

Rehabilitation can help your patients with:

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
Fibrocartilagenous Embolism (FCE)
Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, shoulder disorders
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
Lumbosacral disease
Pain management
Post-operative orthopedic and neurologic recovery
Osteoarthritis
Vestibular disorders

At BEVS, patients enjoy success through a variety of modalities. Our state-of-the-art rehabilitation department services include:

Pain management
Underwater treadmill
Class IV therapeutic laser
Acupuncture
Manual therapy (massage, stretching, range of motion, tissue and/or joint mobilization)
Therapeutic exercise programs
Neuromuscular stimulation (“E-stim”)
Mobility cart and assistive device fittings

Meet the BEVS Rehabilitation Team

Our experienced Rehabilitation Team is uniquely trained and takes the time needed to identify pain and dysfunction to develop an individualized plan, while empowering owners to take an active role in their pet’s healing.

Pamela Brown (formerly Levin), DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVPP

Dr. Brown is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist, a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, and the only veterinarian in the state of Vermont credentialed through the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) as a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP).

Lyn Garson, CVT, CCRP

Lyn completed an extensive program through the University of Tennessee and earned certification as a Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner. Lyn is also certified as a small animal massage therapist and is pursuing additional certification in manual therapy techniques.

A Truly Collaborative Approach

The best relationships successfully serve the interests of both partners. Our goal is to support you, your practice, and your patients in a manner that works well for all parties.

If you have any questions about our Rehabilitation services or would like to discuss a patient, please call us at 802.863.BEVS (2387). To help expedite the referral process, you can fill out our Patient Referral Form online or visit our Referring Veterinary Portal. We’re here to help in whatever way we can.

Burlington Emergency and Veterinary Specialists

1417 Marshall Avenue, Williston, VT 05495 | 802.863.2387 | bevsvt.com

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