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| Rehabilitation | Acupuncture | Chinese Herbal Medicine | Chiropractic |
 Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy |
| How often will my dog need physical therapy?
This depends on the animal's initial physical condition and disease. It is difficult to predict recovery rates as each animal is an individual and responds at a different rate. Most pets come in for rehabilitation and physical therapy 2-3 times weekly for 4-6 weeks. How long does it take to see results? This depends on the pet's age, physical condition, and the disease or injury. Typically some progress is seen within the first 2-4 treatments. |  |
| How long is a physical therapy session?
A physical therapy session is approximately 30-60 minutes, depending on the techniques used by the therapist. How soon after surgery can my pet start rehabilitation? Rehabilitation can begin within 24 hours post surgery, typically beginning with cold therapy and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). However, most animals seen by our center don't begin until the sutures have been removed by their surgeon, in 7-10 days. What should I bring to my initial rehabilitation appointment? A copy of your animal's medical/surgical record from your primary care veterinarian, and any x-rays taken. The initial consultation takes approximately 45 minutes. My dog doesn't like water. What can be done about this? Most dogs, even if unsure about hydrotherapy initially, learn to accept being in the water within the first 1-2 sessions with some extra attention, time, patience, and a few good treats! |
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| Acupuncture |
| Is acupuncture safe? Acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medical treatment for animals when it is administered by a properly trained veterinary acupuncturist. Side effects are rare, and are usually seen in the form of lethargy and/or sleepiness for 24 hours following a treatment. Does acupuncture hurt? No. Most animals pay little attention to the needles being placed and often get sleepy during treatment, especially during electroacupuncture treatment. |  |
| How long does an acupuncture treatment last?
Stimulation of an individual acupoint can take as little as 10 seconds or can last up to 60 minutes. It depends on the technique used and the condition treated. A typical treatment lasts 15-20 minutes. How often will my pet need acupuncture? The length and frequency of acupuncture depends on the condition being treated and the technique of acupuncture used. Typically, most animals need acupuncture at least once weekly for 4-6 treatments as a minimum. How long does it take to see the beneficial effects of acupuncture? This varies from animal to animal. In some cases a response can be seen after only one treatment; however to achieve a maximal positive response will take approximately 4-6 treatments. Acupuncture treatments build on each other and a series of treatments is necessary. Does my pet need maintenance acupuncture? For chronic cases, yes. Acupuncture is typically done weekly until a maximum therapeutic response is achieved and then tapered off to the least number of treatments necessary to maintain the animals condition. Can acupuncture treatments be performed during the same time period as physical therapy? Yes. Acupuncture is part of the rehabilitation process and is often performed 1-2 times weekly along with physical therapy (PT). Faster results are often seen when both acupuncture and PT are combined. Why are acupuncture and herbal medicine used together? Because clinical results can be obtained more quickly by using Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture together. The combined effects are also stronger, which is especially important in the treatment of difficult cases. |
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| Chinese Herbal Medicine |
| To review the IVC Chinese Veterinary Herbs General Use Guidelines, click here. |
| Where do herbal medications come from?
Most herbal medications are obtained from China, Taiwan, and from companies which grow herbs in the U.S. They are tested for quality and purity and are from the same companies which sell herbs used to treat people. No products from endangered species are used in these herbal formulas. Do herbal medications have side effects? Chinese herbs are safe and effective when prescribed by a trained, experienced Chinese herbologist, especially as compared to conventional medications. Side effects are usually seen in the form of mild vomiting and diarrhea which stop after the medication has been discontinued. There are some herbal medications that can invigorate the blood circulation, and because of this property must be discontinued prior to any surgical procedures as they may cause an increase in bleeding. |  |
| How often do herbs have to be given?
Herbal prescriptions must be given consistently 2-3 times daily, the same as conventional medications, in order to obtain a therapeutic response. How do I give my pet herbal medications? The same way as with conventional medications. Herbal powders are usually mixed into food and taken 2-3 times daily. Pills and tablets are given with a food treat for easy administration. How long does it take to see a response from herbal medications? This depends on the animal and the condition being treated. The average time is 3-14 days. The length of herbal treatment for chronic conditions is difficult to predict. It depends on the animal's disease, other medications they may be taking, and how long their condition has been present. Why is the herbal medication changed even when my pet seem to be doing well on the current prescription? This is because over time your pet's condition and his or her response to the herbal medication changes. The herbal must be reformulated to take these changes into account in order to maintain or resolve your pet's problem. |
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| Chiropractic |
| Is chiropractic safe for animals? Yes. Chiropractic is a noninvasive form of treatment when administered by a properly trained animal chiropractor. It can bring immediate relief of pain and discomfort. Each adjustment given is designed to be specific and appropriate to the pet's medical condition, age, breed, weight, temperament and past medical history. Does the adjustment hurt? No. Each pet responds differently to the adjustment depending on age, breed, temperament, and whether the condition is acute or chronic. In general, your pet will have immediate symptom relief and begin to show signs of increased mobility and decreased pain. Some animals may exhibit mild muscle soreness from the treatment because the body has been returned to its normal alignment from a previously abnormal position. This soreness usually only lasts for 24 hours and then subsides, leaving the animal feeling better than before coming in for the adjustment. How many treatments will my pet need and how long before results are seen? Each patient is an individual and responds differently to the treatments. It largely depends on your pet's medical condition. In general, the more severe or chronic the condition, the greater the number of initial adjustments required. Immediate results are often achieved and noticeable changes in the animal's behavior are commonly seen after the first treatment. On the average most animals begin to show a good response after 4-6 treatments. Will my pet need chiropractic treatments on a regular basis? Each chiropractic adjustment builds on the previous one until maximum results are achieved. Chronic and degenerative diseases such as those seen with repetitive injury or geriatric conditions typically require periodic maintenance treatments. Acute conditions may require only one adjustment. |
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| General Information |
| Does IVC perform any vaccinations or other general practice veterinary services in addition to rehabilitation? No. IVC does not provide general practice veterinary medicine. As a client, you will need to choose a primary care veterinarian. We are largely a referral based practice, and all requests for general, routine veterinary services are referred back to your primary care veterinarian. Will my regular veterinarian get a report on what type of rehabilitation my animal is receiving? Yes, upon request a report can be faxed to your veterinarian that describes the rehabilitation program recommended for your pet and their progress. |
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