river pet resort & rehab
offers physical rehabilitation for dogs with orthopedic problems
with aquatic and cross-training exercises
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Dr. Karen Zelinski is a certified in canine physical rehabilitation. She received her veterinary degree in 1993 at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Zelinski has practiced small animal medicine for 15 years. During that time she spent several years in emergency practice. Dr. Zelinski took her certification training for canine physical rehabilitation at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. She currently evaluates and treats the rehabilitation cases at river pet resort and also sees regular cases at our affiliate hospital Animal General. Dr. Zelinski strives to provide excellent veterinary care and work closely with your regular veterinarian when your dog is a rehab patient at river pet resort.
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Special Cases at river pet resort & rehab
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Froggie is a five year old neutered male French Bull dog. His rear legs suddenly became paralyzed in June 2010 because of intervertebral disc protrusion commonly known as a "slipped disc in the back". Froggie had surgery to relieve compression on his spinal cord caused by the "slipped disc". He has been recovering slowly since surgery as his rear legs are gradually regaining function.
Froggie has been visiting river pet resort twice a week for physical rehabilitation. His treatment sessions include passive range of motion exercises, balance exercises, assisted underwater treadmill walking and swimming. Range of motion exercises are important to reduce stiffness of muscles ligaments and tendons which can occur in a dog that is not walking for a period of time. Balance exercises done on a balance ball or rocker board are useful to retrain the legs to shift left and right. Water treadmill walking assists the dog in re-learning a normal walking motion while strengthening the muscles. Swimming is used for overall strength training. Two months after surgery Froggie is starting to use his rear legs more and he can chase a rolled basketball for fun! We will continue to work with Froggie as he regains his ability to walk and play.
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| Assisted swimming Froggie |
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Zero is a six year old neutered male Jack Russell. He became acutely paralyzed in December 2010 due to intervertebral disc protusion. He had surgery to remove disc material that was pressing on his spinal cord. Zero is recovering well. His owner works with him patiently doing daily exercises at home and walking him with a sling for support.
Zero has been coming to river pet resort & rehab twice a week after surgery for physical rehabilitation sessions. Zero's treatments include balance practice on a physioball, obstacle course walking to practice turns and stepping, swimming and water treadmill walking. Two months after surgery he is beginning to walk on his own and he now loves swimming!
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| Cola walking in the water treadmill |
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Cola is a 4 year old female spayed mixed breed dog. Even though Cola is a young dog she has severe bilateral elbow arthritis. She also had hip surgery as a very young pup for hip dysplasia. Cola began coming to river pet for physical rehabilitation after she had an infection in her left elbow in 2007. She required a sling to help her walk at that time. Cola recovered with antibiotics and rehab exercises which included passive range of motion, stretching and water treadmill walking. Cola currently takes joint supplements and anti-inflammatory medication and she continues with weekly aquatic exercises to maintain her mobility. Cola has become stronger over time and she can now do varied water workouts which include incline work, weights and resistance bands while she walks in water.
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