Skip To Content

Cat Rehabilitation

What Is Feline Rehabilitation?

Feline Physical Rehabilitation is similar to Physical Therapy in human medicine. Relatively new to veterinary medicine, it was developed initially to improve postoperative patient comfort by reducing pain, improving healing, and getting the pet back to normal activity faster. It now has many other applications than just after surgery including: arthritic pain, neurologic disease and wound healing; by reducing pain and inflammation and promoting normal healing.

At Viera East Veterinary Center, we offer a variety of rehabilitation services for your cat that has provided benefits to our patients through much quicker recovery and restoration of mobility following surgery or illness.  Jolanta Kandefer, CCRA, has been taking care of our rehabilitation patients since her certification in 2005.  With her annual participation in the Symposium on Therapeutic Advances in Animal Rehabilitation we can offer the newest techniques and treatments in rehabilitation and sports medicine.

Rehabilitation & Conditioning Services

Conditions that respond to rehabilitation include but are not limited to:

  • Post-surgery recovery: Knee, cruciate ligament, patella surgeries, amputation, hip surgery
  • Pain management: Osteoarthritis, muscle sprain or strain
  • Neurorehabilitation: Back injuries or other neurologic injury
  • Geriatric/Osteoarthritic patient
  • Wound healing

Treatment Modalities for Felines

Some of the Treatment Modalities we provide include:

  • Therapeutic Laser Class 4, which is companion laserelectromagnetic field therapy treatment in cats at Viera East Vet
  • Therapeutic Laser Class 3B, which is a SpectraVET
  • TENS unit, Estim (Electrostimulation)
  • Therapeutic Ultrasound
  • Therapeutic Exercises
  • Manual Therapies (Massage, Mobilizations, Neurodynamics, Tractions, Fascial Releases, Trigger Points)
  • Acupoints w/ Laser Treatment
  • Targeted electromagnetic field therapy treatment, which is a localized treatment in the form of Assisi Loop
  • Digital Thermal Imaging Camera (digital thermal imaging screening)

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy stimulates cells to divide, which speeds healing following surgery. Viera East Veterinary Center uses laser therapy for post-operative recovery, dental patients, wound patients. Rehabilitation patients include patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis, IVDD which is Intervertebral Disc Disease, hip dysplasia, shoulder injuries and elbow injuries.

Cats

We also see feline patients as well, it's not only about dogs always. There are a lot of cats that we can help with laser therapy. Rehab kind of depends on what they allow us to do. Cat patients include those with pain issues, osteoarthritis, and post-surgery.

Goals of Rehabilitation

Our goal is to bring your pet back to a normal activity level by being pain-free with good functionality and good mobility for the patient so that they can do all the daily activities of the owner.

What to Look For

If you notice signs or symptoms of pain and change in your pet's behavior, notify our practice right away if you notice any of the above signs so we can take action to assist your pet.

Some common signs of pain in your pet may include:

  • Limping
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and / or vomiting
  • Vocalization
  • Change in temperament or behavior
  • Licking a specific area
  • Change in bathroom habits
  • Panting
  • The appearance of the third eyelid
  • Hiding

At Viera East Veterinary Center, our veterinary staff is here to help ensure that you and your dog are able to enjoy a long, healthy and happy relationship and we believe that starts with compassionate health care. Make an appointment today to discuss how rehabilitation and therapy may be able to improve the quality of life for your dog. One of our caring staff members is available to take your call now at (321) 339-2250.

Back To Top