SURGERY & REHABILITATION

Veterinary Rehabilitation is a Physical Therapy approach to a patient, which is finding what is wrong with the musculoskeletal system based.  A therapist’s goal is to initially identify the muscle or bone or joint that is causing the pain or issue in the animal, and then formulate a plan to enhance the comfort on movement of the tissue that is having a problem.  This can take the form of using physical modalities like the Cold Laser, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation, or Underwater Treadmills.  There are also Manual Therapies that the therapist has learned at classes like joint mobilizations, stretches, massage and Therapeutic exercises which enhance the movement and healing and comfort of the patient. This can benefit many different animals like post-orthopedic surgery patients, dogs with disc disease, lameness evaluation and conditioning in athletes, geriatric animals, and arthritic animals.

Unlike human medicine, veterinary general practitioners are trained and encouraged to perform surgical procedures within their expertise. Central Animal Hospital’s experienced veterinarians are highly skilled in performing a variety of surgical procedures, from routine spay and neuter to corrective and lifesaving surgeries. For the occasional complex or highly specialized surgical procedure, we have several outside board-certified surgeons who regularly perform surgeries in our facility, so the pet patient’s care can still be managed by the primary veterinarian. Procedures frequently performed at our facility include:

• Cystotomy – Removal of bladder stones
• Gastrointestinal surgery – Most commonly for the removal of foreign bodies that have been ingested
• Perineal Urethrostomy – Surgery for male cats suffering from repeated urethral blockages
• Pyometra – Surgical treatment for uterine infection
• Gastropexy – Procedure to prevent gastric tortion
• C-section – Surgical method of delivery, used when the lives of the mother or babies are endangered
• ACL repair – Extracapsular method for repairing torn ligament in the knee
• FHO – Removal of the head of femur to reduce chronic pain and improve mobility in pets with degenerative bone diseases
• Medial Patella Luxation – Replacement and regrooving of the patella to improve gait and reduce pain

Central Animal Hospital focuses on providing both routine and non-routine surgeries, accompanied by complete pre- and post-operative care, at affordable prices. The cost of surgery at Central Animal Hospital is all-inclusive, encompassing any pre-surgical bloodwork, x-rays and x-ray interpretation; anesthesia; monitoring; pain medications for before and after the procedure; follow-up exams (usually two); and any other required medications or supplies. With orthopedic surgeries, we also incorporate treatment with our Companion Laser to expedite healing, reduce inflammation and pain, and support post-operative rehabilitation.

Laser therapy provides advanced healing benefits and powerful pain relief without invasive surgery, anesthesia, or side effects. It has shown to be highly effective in reducing joint inflammation in animals who suffer from arthritis, degenerative joint disease, or hip dysplasia, and it can be used in conjunction with NSAID medications for ongoing pain management.  We also use the Companion Laser as a post-surgical treatment to minimize inflammation and speed recovery after a pet’s operation. To learn more about laser therapy, download the Laser Therapy Fact Sheet.

Central Animal Hospital is excited to be one of a small number of South Bay veterinary clinics to offer animal acupuncture. Acupuncture, which entails placing tiny needles into the skin at key trigger points on the body, has proven benefits for animals, as well as humans. The 3,000-year-old healing practice of Chinese Medicine can treat a variety of veterinary conditions, including: musculoskeletal and neurological conditions; respiratory issues; ocular disorders; skin problems; and urinary tract disorders. An extremely gentle yet powerful therapy, acupuncture can safely be used in conjunction with medications, but also provides a good treatment option for owners whose pets have a sensitivity to medication.