Vital Feed

Orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation go hand in hand, say surgeon David Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS-SA, from Veterinary Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Group in Annapolis Junction, Maryland, and rehabilitation specialist Matthew Brunke, DVM, DACVSMR, CCRP, CVPP, CVA, from Veterinary Surgical Centers Rehabilitation in Vienna, Virginia. These former coworkers explain why it’s important for surgeons and rehab specialists to work together...

As most veterinary professionals know, the health of a patient is more than the sum of its various parts and systems. Besides absence of illness or injury, a pet’s well-being encompasses lifestyle, nutrition, behavior and exercise. Nobody understands this like veterinarians who take an integrative approach to patient care. Treatments and services such as acupuncture, phototherapy, nutraceuticals and rehabilitation are...

  FEEL NO PAIN As a CVPP, a veterinary nurse can be more involved in the analgesic plan for their patients. Image: Sarah Stowman. Picture this: you’re stuck in a career rut. You love your patients, but vaccines and skin issues are just not floating your boat anymore. Are you a credentialed veterinary technician? Do you ever wonder about other...

Today’s pet owners want veterinary care that mirrors the best practices in human medicine, and veterinary professionals are responding by offering services previously associated with human care that benefit pets and meet client expectations. One area that reflects this trend is physical therapy and veterinary rehabilitation. Originally developed for equine, and later, canine athletes, rehabilitation and physical therapy are increasingly...

The other day, a friend of mine was telling me how a couple years ago she had hired a canine hydrotherapist to work with her dog. Sophie, a beagle mix, was older, had severe arthritis and didn’t want to move around too much. My friend considered hydrotherapy and thought it would be a great way to provide relief of pain,...