|
Physiotherapy
Elena Saltis – BSc, PTNZ, NZPPA, CRT
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist
Elena Saltis is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist. She has taken courses in Small Animal Physiotherapy in Australia and attended the Australian Animal Physiotherapy conference as well as undergone a clinical internship in Australia in Animal Physiotherapy.
Elena is certified from The Canine Rehabilitation Institute in the USA. This is an intensive, post-graduate, Veterinary level course and clinical internship. As well as being the owner and director of PhysiotherapyNZ, Elena consults at ‘At the Vets’, works with racing greyhounds and works for GAP (Greyhounds as Pets).
|
|
|
An initial physiotherapy consultation includes a thorough assessment of your pet's condition. This enables the physiotherapist (Elena) to formulate an individually designed treatment program, including "Hands On" treatment techniques and a home exercise program allowing the owner to have an active role in their pet's rehabilitation.
The Benefits of Animal Physiotherapy
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• |
Enhance post-operative recovery with reliable, positive results
Provide conservative management for patients that do not wish to undergo surgery or where surgery is inappropriate
Improve mobility and strength
Achieve and maintain optimal health and well-being
Pain-free exercise for arthritic and older dogs
Increased owner involvement in care of pet
Pain management
Restoring and/or maintaining physical function and movement
Improved quality of life
Prevent further injury |
Rehabilitation Treatments
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
|
Initial Evaluation - orthopaedic and neurological assessment. Includes:
· complete subjective history
· active and passive ROM
· gait analysis
· transfers
· joint integrity
· functional assessment
· neuro screen/exam
· palpation
· spinal assessment
· strength
· special tests
· treatment plan
Therapeutic exercise
Post-operative rehab and instruction
ROM/stretching
Laser therapy - using a high powered, 500mW 910nM class 3B laser.
Ultrasound
Electrical stimulation
Therapeutic massage
Strengthening
Conditioning and sport specific rehab
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy
Geriatric care
Fitness training
Hydrotherapy
Joint mobilisations - manipulation
Movement re-education
Soft tissue techniques including Myofasical release techniques and Trigger Point Therapy
Balance and Proprioception retraining |
Examples of Case Types
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• |
Hip Dysplasia
Post surgical care:
· orthopaedic and neurological TPLO/post-disc/total hip replacement/FHO
· cruciate repair/elbow arthroscopy
Degenerative Myelopathy
Arthritis
Obesity and weight management
Soft tissue injuries
Neurological impairment
Trauma
Elbow Dysplasia
FCE
Vertebral Dysfunctions
Shoulder Instability
Patellar Luxation
Fracture management
Tendonopathies |
Conditions Treated
As in the human medical field, physiotherapy is beneficial in the treatment of many orthopaedic and neuromuscular disorders e.g.:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• |
Cruciate Ligament injuries, conservative and surgical management
Following Cruciate Ligament surgeries
Patella luxation Surgery
Femoral head excision arthroplasty
Hip Dysplasia (Conservative and surgical management)
Elbow Dysplasia (Conservative and surgical management)
Spinal Cord Disorders including intervertebral disc disease, Fibro cartilaginous Emboli (FCE)
Peripheral Nerve injuries
Polyneuropathies (polyradiculoneuritis - Coon hound paralysis)
Neck and back pain
Arthritis
Muscle, ligament and tendon injuries
Movement disorders/gait re-education
Strengthening following medical conditions and cancer treatments
The Geriatric patient |
|
|
