Please note: We will be closed on Monday, September 7 for Labor Day.

Rehabilitation and Pain Management

Appointment

Pain Management and Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation – Dr Walden will be finishing her Rehabilitation Certification by the end of the year. She is taking her coursework through Canine Rehabilitation Institute in Springfield Missouri. She is excited to be learning about joint mobilization, soft tissue work, learning about the multitude of ways that rehabilitation can help our patients and improving her diagnostic skills. Matt Walden is also taking classes and will be a Certified Veterinary Rehabilitation Assistant by the end of the year. He has all the patience in the world and you will often see him in the treadmill with the dogs as they get used to it, walking them through exercises and guiding clients on how they can work with their dogs at home. He enjoys the biomechanics of physical therapy and rehabilitation and can’t wait for this part of the practice to grow. It was his idea to have our large backroom added on when we built the hospital just so we could eventually add this service.

Acupuncture

Dr Walden took her acupuncture training and became certified in Animal Acupuncture at Colorado State University in 2004. In Chinese medicine, acupuncture has been practiced for more than 2000 years. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses acupuncture to balance the body and allow for normal flow of “Qi”. During an acupuncture visit you can expect a full exam the first time and Dr Walden will go over your pet’s history and make a plan. She will then insert very thin needles into the acupuncture sights and trigger points. These needles can help relax surrounding tissue, release the body’s natural pain modulators and help stimulate neurostimulation. She frequently uses it in patients that have osteoarthritis, muscle strains, neurologic disorders and soft tissue pain. Some pets do well with just dry needling and you can expect the needles to stay in for 20-45 minutes. Cats typically need shorter time periods. Some conditions and pets benefit from Electro-acupuncture where a small current is passed between needles and an alternating slow and faster pulse is turned on. This is typically not done at the first visit. Some pets benefit from it, but some pets don’t require it or tolerate it. Aquapuncture is the placement of sterile B12 at some of the acupuncture sites just under the skin. This bleb of fluid will stimulate the acupuncture site longer

Laser

Laser Therapy (Photobiomodulation) is used for a variety of conditions. We have found it very helpful in acute inflammation situations such as post surgery inflammation, soft tissue injuries, intervertebral disc disease, orthopedic injuries and arthritis. Our Laser is a Class IV laser meaning that it has been shown to be powerful enough to get to the site of injury. It can help decrease inflammation, bring in cells to help with healing and encourage healthy cell

It not only improves healing but also helps with pain. Some pets benefit from several treatments and some do well with just one.

Hydrotherapy/Water Treadmill

We couldn’t be more excited to have the space to have a water treadmill on site. The treadmill can be used in different ways. It can be filled to a level where it takes extra weight off overweight dogs, senior dogs, or other dogs that need to get back to normal range of motion and build muscle. The water can be lowered the act as resistance to help patients get more strength. This is really helpful for sporting dogs trying to safely build more endurance and strength. The sessions start off slow to get the dogs used to the treadmill. We even have life jackets for the tiny guys. With each session we love to watch the progress of our patients building muscle and strength. Building strength often leads to better mobility and less pain in our senior patients. Our post op TPLO patients get back their muscle mass faster while at the same time protecting and strengthening the opposite leg that has been compensating for so long.

PEMF Therapy for Dogs and Cats

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy is a non-invasive therapeutic modality that may be incorporated into a comprehensive veterinary rehabilitation program for dogs and cats. PEMF technology delivers controlled electromagnetic fields to targeted tissues and is used to support musculoskeletal health, mobility, comfort, and functional recovery.  

PEMF therapy may be considered as an adjunctive treatment for patients following orthopedic injury or surgery, as well as those with chronic musculoskeletal conditions or age-related mobility limitations. 

During treatment, your pet relaxes comfortably on or near a specialized PEMF device. Sessions are quiet, painless, and typically well tolerated by many animals.

We often find patients gravitating to these beds

**Cannot use if pet or owner has a pacemaker 

Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy, also known as extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), is a non-invasive treatment modality that may be incorporated into a comprehensive rehabilitation plan for dogs and cats. The therapy uses targeted acoustic pressure waves to stimulate biological responses within treated tissues and support the body’s natural healing processes.

The treatment is short, feels good as the pets can feel the sound waves penetrating the deep and sore tissue. The machine does make a lot of noise, but surpisingly the dogs and even cats get used to the loud but rhytmic sound.  Treatments occur evewry 2-3 weeks for 2-3 treatments then every 4-6 months as needed

Shockwave therapy may be recommended for certain musculoskeletal conditions, including tendon and ligament injuries, chronic soft tissue conditions, joint-related pain, and other orthopedic concerns.  We like it especially for dogs with elbow dysplasia and/or arthritis 

Treatment is individualized based on your pet’s diagnosis, physical examination findings, comfort level, and rehabilitation goals. Shockwave therapy is often combined with other rehabilitation modalities, such as therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, and veterinary-directed pain management, as part of a multimodal approach to care.

Our goal is to help your pet move more comfortably, regain function, and return to the activities they enjoy. Our rehabilitation team will carefully evaluate your pet to determine whether shockwave therapy is an appropriate component of their personalized treatment plan.

Massage & Soft Tissue Therapy

Massage and soft tissue therapy are hands-on techniques that may be incorporated into a comprehensive veterinary rehabilitation program to support comfort, mobility, and overall musculoskeletal function. Through gentle, targeted techniques, soft tissue work can help address areas of muscle tension and restriction while supporting relaxation and normal movement.

These techniques may be beneficial for pets recovering from orthopedic injury or surgery, managing chronic musculoskeletal conditions, experiencing mobility changes, or participating in an ongoing conditioning and rehabilitation program. Often, soft tissue work is the first step in a rehabilitation program, helping to soften stiff tissues and improve flexibility. This can help improve comfort and mobility, allowing us to progress toward therapeutic exercise and muscle strengthening.

Lymphatic massage is another gentle hands-on technique that may be incorporated into a pet’s rehabilitation plan when appropriate. The lymphatic system plays an important role in maintaining fluid balance and supporting normal immune function. Gentle lymphatic techniques may help encourage lymphatic flow and support the management of swelling and fluid accumulation as directed by your veterinary team.

Our rehabilitation staff have completed additional multi-day training in canine massage and bodywork through Canine Body Works, expanding their knowledge of safe, purposeful hands-on techniques for dogs. We are trained to ensure that each session is tailored to the individual patient, with consideration given to their diagnosis, physical condition, comfort level, and rehabilitation goals.

Our goal is to provide compassionate, individualized care that helps your pet feel more comfortable, move with greater ease, and maintain the best possible quality of life. And just like us, many pets enjoy the relaxation and comfort that massage work can provide! 

We cherish your pet as though they were family.

Address

3300 Woodall Dr.
Cedar Park, TX 78613
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Contact

Hours

Mon-Fri: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sat: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sun: Closed
*We close for lunch from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. Appointments during this time are by special request only.

Click here to request an appointment online.