New Leash on Life: Pet rehabiltation therapy evolving

To her surprise, Able learned that Angus needed a knee replacement or Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgery.

Just as physical therapy has helped humans treat pain resulting from an injury or surgery, it is also being used to rehabilitate pets like Angus that suffer from the same conditions.

Angus is treated at Nemacolin Wooflands Pet Care Center in Farmington, which provides rehabilitation treatment for pets with orthopedic injuries, neurological dysfunction, chronic osteoarthritis, geriatric concerns, and performance difficulties.

While Able said she wasn’t sure how Angus injured his leg, she noted he has always been an active dog that loves to run, jump and swim in a creek behind her home in Chalk Hill.

Angus was evaluated in October at Wooflands, which referred him for surgery to the Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center.

On the drive home, Able said she received a phone call from the center inquiring if Angus had heart problems.

Able said instead of having knee surgery, Angus ended up receiving a pace maker that night.

“We call him the million dollar dog,” said Able.

If left untreated, Able said Angus would have eventually died.

Following a two-month recovery, Angus finally underwent TPLO surgery at the Pittsburgh facility.

According to Top Dog Health and Rehabilitation, TPLO is a common surgery performed on a canine’s cranial cruciate ligament, or CCL – similar to the ACL in humans.

It involves cutting and rotating the tibia in such a way that the dog’s own weight bearing stabilizes its joint.

After the tibia is cut and moved, a metal plate is screwed to the tibia to keep it in its new position.

“It’s a lot more involved than I thought it was,” said Able.

Angus is now on the road to recovery at Wooflands, where he receives physical therapy twice a week from a laser and water treadmill to help strengthen his joints.

According to Dr. Nicholle Hebert, veterinarian and head of the pet rehab program at Wooflands, the need for physical pet therapy is becoming more recognized.

“Most people are coming around to the idea and seeing the benefits of it,” said Hebert.

The center, which opened in 2009, is family owned and operated by Fayette County business mogul Joseph A. Hardy.

It also provides pet boarding, doggie daycare, pet grooming and styling, professional training and veterinary care.

Katie Diamond, certified veterinarian technician at the center said, individualized treatment plans are based on a pet’s specific needs in the areas of trauma recuperation and surgery, degenerative joint disease, or chronic pain.

Services are also geared to maximize function, reduce pain and inflammation, and slow the progression of orthopedic and neuromuscular disease.

Diamond, who is in the process of becoming a certified rehabilitation specialist, said the majority of pets are referred to the center by local veterinarians. Some of the elderly pets referred receive treatment for arthritis.

According to Diamond, pet owners drive as far as Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Maryland for services.

On average, Diamond said the center has about six dogs that receive treatment on a weekly or bi-weekly rotation with some that are treated weekends. Cats also receive therapy at times.

Before a pet can receive therapy, Diamond said a consultation is required with the owner and the pet must undergo a complete exam and evaluation.

From there, Diamond said a rehabilitation program is developed and tailored to meet a pet’s individual needs.

Able said Angus has responded well to his physical therapy, that also includes daily home exercises.

“He’s healing great and his bone is about 100 percent,” said Able. “He walks on a leash in the snow perimeters because it makes him work hard and that’s good for his leg muscles.”

While Angus has an occasional limp, Able said every day he is one step closer to recovery.

“He knows the routine,” said Able.

A balance board and swimming pool have also been incorporated into Angus’ most recent therapy program.

With Angus now able to climb stairs and have good muscle movement, Able said he’s expected to be back to his old self in about a year.

“I’m so grateful that (Wooflands) is out there,” said Able. “Many dogs don’t get this opportunity because it is expensive.”