The initial consult is 1.5-2hrs in length and includes obtaining a comprehensive history, full examination and first treatment. A Rehabilitation Plan will be created based on this initial evaluation, and may include a combination of modalities. We work closely with each owner and develop a treatment plan which focuses on the patient as a whole, including nutrition, supplements and home exercise program. The length and type of follow-up treatment(s) are dependent on your pet’s condition(s).

Education is key; each pet owner leaves Tsavo’s with an in-depth understanding of their pet’s condition(s), a treatment plan, and knowledge that their pet will receive the best care. If we determine that your pet would be better off receiving different treatment elsewhere, we will advise you accordingly. Pets come first at Tsavo’s.

• Pulsed Signal Therapy (PST)
• Targeted Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (tPEMF)
• Cold Laser Therapy
• Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
• Hydrotherapy – Underwater Treadmill and Swimming
• Low impact, therapeutic strengthening exercises
• Stretching, Massage, Body Work
• Balance and Proprioceptive exercises
• Heat and Cold Therapy

 

Pulsed Signal Therapy (PST)

PST is a non-invasive treatment that has been successfully used in human medicine in Europe for various debilitating conditions since 1994. It has just recently been approved for use in dogs and cats here in the USA. PST provides a specific physiological signal carried on a series of magnetic field pulses to the treatment site(s). These uniquely specific energy parameters are transmitted through injured tissue to target the affected area via direct induction. It induces a tiny electrical signal that mimics physiological stimulus that normally occurs in healthy tissue, thus stimulating cellular repair. In the case of damaged and/or arthritic joints, it stimulates the production of new cartilage.

We are very excited about this new treatment modality because it truly offers a treatment that addresses the underlying problem (creating new and healthy cartilage, bone and other connective tissue), and does not just treat the symptom of pain. PST is breakthrough technology which will allow many pets to live longer and happier lives. Not only is PST effective and safe, it represents a significant costs savings by eliminating or reducing the chronic use of pharmaceuticals.

Conditions that can benefit from PST

• Osteoarthritis
• Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) – any joint
• Tendon/Ligament damage
• Soft Tissue Trauma & Wounds
• Bone Union
• IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease)

Course of Treatment
PST provides long-term benefits with no safety issues. It usually requires only one course of treatment to provide sustained relief of pain and restoration of normal mobility as demonstrated in long-term follow-up studies. The protocol for PST treatments is very simple and convenient. Each pet receives nine 30-minute sessions of PST therapy. The pet is simply coaxed to lie down on the PST treatment platform and the treatment site(s) will be comfortably targeted for the electromagnetic pulses.

When will I see results?
Some pets begin to show improvement within the first 2-3 weeks of treatment. Research shows that most pets will begin to show the most significant improvement in 8-12 weeks following treatment and this is probably a more realistic expectation. In pets, the success rate approaches 90%. For most pets only one course of therapy is necessary in their lifetime. Some cases have shown benefit from 6 months to 2 years.
Click here for a downloadable PST overview

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Targeted Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (tPEMF)

tPEMF is an FDA cleared, evidence based therapy for non-invasive, non-pharmacological treatment of pain and edema. The therapy has proven effective on pain for 3 decades particularly in Eastern European research. Pulsed electromagnetic fields are highly effective in a diverse range of therapeutic applications with no side-effects or adverse reactions. tPEMF provides a specific physiological signal carried on a series of magnetic field pulses to the treatment site(s). These uniquely specific energy parameters are transmitted through injured tissue to target the affected area via direct induction. It induces a tiny electrical signal that mimics physiological stimulus that normally occurs in healthy tissue, thus stimulating cellular repair.

tPEMF is designed to accelerate the normal anti-inflammatory activity of the body. Multiple, sometimes concurrent, biological activities take place from the initial pain and swelling, through new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) to tissue regeneration and then tissue remodeling. These processes are all related to an initial step, so accelerating that first electrochemical process should accelerate the whole cascade. Tissues will respond depending on their current state, so acutely inflamed tissue should rapidly respond by reductions in pain and swelling, while chronic wounds, for example, should see improvements in blood flow and growth factor production. Pulsed magnetic therapy research reveals that tPEMF therapy promotes various healing mechanisms, and has been found to promote bone tissue regeneration (even where bone non-union exists), connective tissue regeneration, wound tissue regeneration (even where chronic wounds exist), nerve tissue regeneration with no reported expected or unexpected adverse reactions.

We are very excited about this new treatment modality because it truly offers a treatment that addresses the underlying problem, and does not just treat the symptom of pain. Not only is tPEMF effective and safe, it represents a significant costs savings by eliminating or reducing the chronic use of pharmaceuticals, and allows the owner to perform these treatments in the comfort of their own home.

Conditions that can benefit from tPEMF

• Post-operative pain & Edema
• Osteoarthritis
• Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
• Tendon/Ligament damage – increases tensile strength
• Soft Tissue Trauma & Wound Care
• Bone Union/Growth
• IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease)

Course of Treatment
tPEMF provides long-term benefits with no safety issues. The protocol for tPEMF treatments is very simple and convenient. Each pet, regardless of condition, receives a 15-minute session twice a day for 21-consecutive days. You cannot over treat and there are no side effects.
Click here for a downloadable tPEMF overview

 

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Cold Laser Therapy

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (E-Stim)

 

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Hydrotherapy

Muscle atrophy begins within 24-48 hours following injury/surgery. When rehabilitation is delayed, there is increased swelling due to lack of movement, loss of muscle control and joint stability and increased stiffness of muscles and tendons. Full weight-bearing activities are often limited following surgery, which extends the patient’s recovery time. Hydrotherapy allows rehabilitation to begin immediately or very soon post-surgery/injury.

Hydrotherapy provides the ability to strengthen the patient's muscles in an environment of little to no pressure on the joints, due to the buoyancy of the water.  The warm water helps increase blood circulation, increases flexibility of muscles, joints and relieves pain. Water resistance helps to build muscle mass, strengthen limbs, and provide a cardiovascular workout.

Geriatric, post-surgical and obese animals can exercise without injury for longer periods of time in water than they can on land. The geriatric patient can rebuild muscle mass and prevent muscle atrophy, the post-surgical patient can have an earlier return to exercise and thus full function, and an overweight animal will experience a decrease in weight and an increase in overall fitness.   Most patients, even if uncertain about being in water, typically accept hydrotherapy after 1-2 sessions without any problem.  We are always in the water with your pet regardless.

Advantages of Hydrotherapy:

• Working more muscle groups simultaneously,
• Decreases post-surgery/injury recovery time and minimizes post-exercise muscle soreness,
• Water provides resistance throughout the range of motion, providing a closed chain, hydrokinetic exercise,
• Permitting longer than normal training periods,
• Water buoyancy reduces gravity, diminishing concussive forces, thus reducing stress on joints,
• Allows early intervention and quicker recovery times,
• Warm water assists in pain reduction,
• Geriatric patients can exercise effectively,
• Decreases the risk of overheating,
• With the Underwater Treadmill, water height is regulated to accommodate different sized animals and adjusted for weight bearing.

 

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Therapeutic Exercise

• Equipment: Inclines, exercise balls and rolls, carts, steps, cavaletti rails, obstacles, resistance bands, tugs, weave poles, and balance/wobble boards, to name a few.
• Home Care: Each patient is provided with a customized home care plan which includes an exercise regimen, massage, stretching routines, and/or a diet and supplement plan.
• Passive range of motion (PROM) exercises increase nutrition availability at the joint, stimulate new cartilage production,
• Stretching exercises and massage increase circulation and muscle flexibility.
• Proprioceptive and Weight Shifting exercises are exercises used to help the animal shift their weight to the affected limb or side, and to help the animal know where their feet are in space, improving balance and coordination.
• Strengthening exercises are used to strengthen individual muscles or muscle groups.

 

 

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