Noah’s Ark Animal Hospital

What is physical rehabilitation?

Physical rehabilitation utilizes many of the same concepts of human physical therapy to help your pet regain movement, strength, and function.

How does it work?

During the initial visit, your pet’s abilities will be assessed and an individual therapy plan will be discussed. Specific exercises and modalities such as physioralls, and balance board will be used to help improve your pet’s quality of life. Manual therapies such as weight shifting and passive range of motion exercises will help improve his joint function and mobility.  

What are the benefits of rehab?

Benefits of physical rehabilitation include increased muscle mass and strength, and decreased pain and inflammation. Your pet will also improve his balance, joint mobility, and function while regaining range of motion and improving his quality of life.

Is my pet a candidate for rehab?

Many patients benefit from physical rehab including those suffering from hip dysplasia, arthritis, back or neck pain, or other chronic conditions. Patients recovering from orthopedic surgery such as torn ligaments, TPLO, or luxating patellas will often recover and heal faster with rehab. Rehabilitation is also beneficial to patients with neurologic diseases such as nerve damage or intervertebral disc disease. Athletic and working dogs can use rehab sessions for conditioning while overweight animals can use them to help with weight loss.  

How many sessions are involved?

Since each treatment plan is unique to each pet and their goals, it is difficult to make broad statements regarding the length of treatment. However, most patients are seen at the hospital 2-3 times a week for 1-2 weeks and then 1-2 times a week for another 1-2 weeks. Your pet will be reevaluated weekly to assess his response to treatment if any changes are warranted.

Will I be required to follow up with home exercises?

Yes, in order to maximize the benefits of the rehab sessions performed in the clinic, we often recommend exercises be continued at home. The exercises will be specific to your pet’s condition and will be discussed before discharge. It is important to keep the pet moving at home.                                                                                                                 

Who will my pet see during the session?

Maria Brotten is a Licensed Veterinary Technician who has   successfully completed five courses in canine rehabilitation through the University of Tennessee. She will work closely with your veterinarian to provide the best care for your pet.

Please feel free to contact our offices for further information.

Gunston Animal Hospital       (703) 339-7725   

Dale City Animal Hospital     (703) 670-6181

Traveling with your Pet

Traveling with your pet—whether short or long distances—requires forethought and planning. The best thing you can do prior to traveling with an animal is to see your veterinarian. She can decide whether your pet will be able to withstand the strain of a car trip and what kinds of precautions you will need to take before heading off into the great blue yonder. An unhappy pet makes for a miserable trip, and an unsafe pet may bring heartbreak.

Don’t be a Dummy

We’ve all seen the dummies on television. They crash into walls, lose limbs, and generally convince you that wearing seat belts saves lives. Did you ever think this might apply to your pet as well?

Riding unrestrained in a car or truck is as dangerous for your pet as it is for you. Think about it: your four-legged friend has far less ability to keep himself upright in a careening vehicle than you do. In an accident, Rover is likely to go straight through the windshield, and the chances of him surviving impact upon landing are slim.

“But my dog loves to hang his head out the window!” you say. “Am I supposed to deprive him?” Yes, you should. As you’re traveling on the highway and Rover happily is taking in the breeze, he is at the mercy of flying rocks, debris, and branches that can easily put out an eye or otherwise cause permanent damage to his head. Save headache and heartache for both of you and buy a restraint for your pet.

Riding Shotgun

They make several types of seat belts for animals, and most are available at your local pet supply store. Wholesale pet supply companies might also have what you’re looking for, and you don’t have to be a veterinarian or a pet shop owner to use them. Seat belts for your dog are available in several sizes, and they work with a harness piece that goes over the chest and attaches to the car’s seat belt. The dog can sit and see the scenery or lie down for the duration of the trip.

Car seats for smaller pets (up to ten pounds) are available, though not many people have heard of them. It looks somewhat like a square cloth bucket attached to the back of your vehicle’s seat and can be raised or lowered to allow your pet to see out the window. The seat contains a safety harness, and it retails for about $50.

No Carrot Cake for Rover

Another option for restraining a cat or dog inside a vehicle is a carrier, which has the added bonus of portability. These sturdy, well-ventilated carriers can be a comfort zone for your pet if you get him used to it by taking him on short, frequent trips at first. And in a carrier, he can’t (out of sheer boredom) eat the carrot cake you’ve left on the dash or otherwise destroy the interior of the Chevy. When choosing a carrier, keep in mind that it should:

• Allow your pet to sit, stand, or lie down comfortably
• Have no interior protrusions that may injure the animal
• Be well-ventilated, with exterior rims to keep other objects from blocking airflow
• Be equipped with handles or grips for secure transport

• Will other pets be staying there
  at the same time? If so, what
  kinds of animals?
• Will there be fees or deposits for my pet? Are the fees per pet or per room? Daily or one-time only? Is the deposit refundable?
• Will I be limited to a certain type of room?
• Are there restrictions on where I can walk my pet?
• Do they offer special services for pets? (Some five-star hotels may.)

Canine Influenzia Virus (CIV) 

There has been a lot of concern lately about a relatively new virus that is infecting dogs in shelters and boarding facilities.   We have put together some facts about this virus.  Please call one of our doctors for more information if you are concerned that your pet may have been or might be exposed to Canine Flu.  

CIV is a virus spread from dog to dog though direct or indirect contact with respiratory secretions.    

There is no known zoonotic transmission at this time, meaning it is not contagious to people or other animals.  

As of right now the virus is not very prevalent in household pets, being seen more where animals are housed together (shelters, large boarding facilities etc)

The virus will live for less than a week in the environment and is easily killed with bleach or disinfectants.

After infection, there is a 2-5 day incubation period. (Nasal virus shedding peaks during this time – therefore the dog is most contagious during this time)

The dog will not typically develop clinical signs until day 5-7 and viral shedding wanes by 7-10 days post infection in most cases.  Therefore the course of disease is relatively short.

The virus is highly contagious between dogs, however ~ 80 % of infected dogs will have a mild form of the disease.  Symptoms can include coughing, sneezing, lethargy, decreased appetite, fever and a runny nose.  These dogs will typically recover with out any form of treatment (or if needed just supportive treatment). 

10-20 % of CIV infected dogs MAY progress to a more severe disease that is indicated by the development of pneumonia.  5 to 8% of  these  more serious  CIV infections lead to death.   Treatment for this more severe form of disease includes hospitalization for fluid therapy and IV antibiotics.

Vaccination:

The CIV Vaccine is a killed virus vaccine.  It will NOT prevent the dog from becoming infected, but it will lesson the severity of the disease if they were to become infected.

Because this is a killed vaccine, it requires two initial vaccinations to establish protection, 3-4 weeks apart.  Significant protection is likely not established until 7-10 days after the SECOND immunization. Therefore, owners of dogs who have the possibility to be exposed in those situations must plan ahead if they expect the vaccine to provide any preventative effect. 

Currently vaccination is only recommended in dogs that are at a high risk of coming in contact with the virus.  These include shelter animals, dogs that travel and dogs that go to dog shows.  It may also be recommended for dogs that board a lot or go to daycare on a daily basis. 

Dale City and Gunston Animal Hospitals are carrying limited quantities of this vaccine for at-risk dogs.  Please call today for an appointment if you feel your dog is in a risk category.  

Lasers in Veterinary Medicine

by Terri Levinstein, DVM

Lasers have been used for medical purposes since the 1960's. However, their practical applications were extremely limited due to the size, expense, and difficulty of maintenance of these first lasers. With recent advances in technology, lasers have made the transition to many applications in human and veterinary medicine.

Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. What this means in practical terms is that energy is used to excite atoms and produce photons that resonate in a laser chamber. These photons excite other atoms in the laser chamber until a highly concentrated beam of light is produced. In veterinary medicine we use a Carbon Dioxide Laser. This light is in the ultraviolet spectrum which means that it is not visible to us.

Lasers can provide the surgeon with a tool that can vaporize abnormal tissue, make paper thin incisions, provide hemostasis (control of bleeding), and gives the surgeon unparalleled precision. All of this is accomplished with virtually no damage to surrounding tissue. In addition, the laser seals nerve endings, lymphatics and small blood vessels. To the animal this means less pain, less swelling, and less bleeding. To the veterinarian, this means better visualization of surgical fields, more precision, and less surgical time.

Laser especially lends itself to declaw procedures in cats because of the precision, the ability to do the surgery without tourniquets and the marked reduction in pain and discomfort to the cat. Most veterinarians who are proficient at laser declaws, now refuse to do them any other way.

Other Laser surgery applications are surgery of the oral cavity, ear surgery, tumor removal, skin mass removal, ovariohysterectomies (spays), castration (neuters), and eye surgery.

A Consumer's Guide to Elective Surgery

by Allison Moser Mayo, DVM

Thank you for recognizing the need to spay or neuter your pet. Many people shop around for the best price on this surgery without the knowledge of why the cost varies among veterinary practices. This guide was put together to help you find the best fit between the veterinary practice and your expectations for the care of your pet.

Questions to Ask and Why to Ask Them

Will my pet receive a complete physical examination prior to surgery?

This is important for a number of reasons. It is our first defense against performing surgery on an animal that may have infectious disease, a heart murmur, or be debilitated from parasites. Pre-surgical blood work should be offered to screen for low red-cell counts (anemia), liver/kidney function (these organs are most involved in clearing the anesthetic agent) as well as glucose levels and several other basic chemistries which can indicate an underlying problem that is not yet manifesting overt symptoms.

What safety precautions will be taken with my pet during surgery?

While most surgery is uneventful, emergencies sometimes arise. Early detection of impending problems greatly aids our ability to intervene and correct the problem. A breathing tube should be placed on all anesthetized patients. This keeps the airway open and allows for supplemental oxygen or gas anesthesia as needed. A heart (EKG) and oxygen monitor allows the surgeon to keep track of heart rate and rhythm as well as the amount of oxygen in the blood. The placement of an intravenous catheter prior to surgery makes it easier to administer any intra-operative medications that may become necessary. The practice should also have a “crash box” handy, which contains emergency drugs and supplies. Licensed Veterinary Technicians should be on staff to provide care and monitoring before, during and after surgery.

What safety precautions will be taken with my pet after surgery?

Surgery patients lose body heat through anesthesia and the opening of body cavities. If patients get too cold, the heart can be affected. Patient temperature should be monitored at regular intervals after surgery and supplemental heating provided as needed. Your pet’s gum color, pulse and respiration should also be monitored.

Who cares for my pet overnight after surgery?

Ideally, a staff member trained in the specifics of post-surgical care will be in the hospital overnight and can continue to monitor surgical patients. Dale City Animal Hospital is one of the few hospitals in the area that does have such a staff member available the five days a week on which surgeries are scheduled.

How will pain be controlled for my pet?

This is very important – surgery hurts! The anesthetic will not provide pain control once your pet wakes up. Oral pain control, or injectable pain control until the pet is awake enough to swallow a tablet, should be offered.

Will I receive written post-surgical care instructions for my pet?

Aftercare of surgical patients is very important for proper healing. The hospital should provide written discharge instructions for your pet.

Is your Dog at Risk for Bloat?

Gastric dilatation volvulus syndrome, more commonly known as bloat, is a serious condition in dogs. Bloat is when the stomach twists on itself and cuts off its blood supply along with that to other organs. At the same time, air and gas trapped in the stomach accumulate causing a distended abdomen. Shock and organ failure due to the lack of blood complicates the condition and may lead to death. Obvious symptoms include a distended abdomen, non-productive vomiting, salivating, and an inability to get up.

There has been an epidemic of bloat during the past decade although no one really knows why. Most at risk for bloat are older, deep-chested, large breed dogs. (However, smaller dogs can also get bloat.) There is also a genetic predisposition to bloat. Nervous or fearful dogs are more prone to bloat than calm dogs, indicating that stress could be a factor.

If you suspect that your dog may be experiencing bloat, it is an immediate emergency. A dog can die from it in a matter of hours. Treatment for bloat includes immediately releasing the gas by inserting a stomach tube orally or inserting a needle into the stomach to release the gas. Surgery is usually required to untwist the stomach. Since there is an 80 % chance of the bloat happening again, the surgery usually includes suturing the stomach to the abdominal wall to prevent a recurrence.

There is no definitive method for preventing bloat although there are a number of suggestions that may decrease the probability. They include: more frequent but smaller meals, raising the food dish on a platform, decreasing stress, and methods to keep your dog from eating too fast.

The most important thing to remember is that if you suspect your dog has bloat, it is an emergency and must be treated immediately.