Small Animal Rehabilitation, Fitness Center accepting new patients

Pets that suffer from physical ailments related to orthopedic and neurologic disease, arthritis or obesity may benefit from a variety of treatment tools now available at the University of Florida's Small Animal Rehabilitation and Fitness Center.

The rehabilitation service launched officially last year with an underwater treadmill. Since then the program has expanded to include low-level laser therapy, a land treadmill, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, extracorporeal shockwave therapy and stem cell therapy.

"We will begin accepting new patients this month, but until completion of our new small animal hospital, the rehabilitation and fitness center will have a limited number of appointments," said program director Kristin Kirkby, D.V.M., a board-certified small animal surgeon who is pursuing her Ph.D. in veterinary rehabilitation. "Initially, four to six new patients will be seen on Mondays of every week, excluding holidays.

"The remainder of the week will be dedicated to treating these patients, in addition to postoperative cases and hospital inpatients," added Kirkby, who also is certified in canine rehabilitation.

Kirkby's team includes Wendy Davies, a certified canine rehabilitation assistant and veterinary technician who has worked at the UF Veterinary Medical Center for more than 10 years. Davies will assist with new patient appointments on Mondays and be responsible for performing therapy sessions the remainder of the week. Amy Reynolds, a neurology service technician trained in canine rehabilitation, will also be involved in therapy for neurology patients.

"The first and most important part of rehabilitation is establishment of a complete diagnosis," Kirkby said. "Often animals with an obvious or not so obvious injury in one limb will develop compensatory changes in the rest of the body. A thorough orthopedic and neurologic examination will be performed and all musculoskeletal abnormalities documented and addressed."

Kirkby added that examinations will be performed regularly to assess the effects of therapy and changes in the body.

"Based on the results of the examination and patient history, an individualized treatment plan will be developed for each patient," she said. "A home exercise plan will be a key component, and exercises will be demonstrated to owners during the initial consult."

For more information about the Small Animal Rehabilitation and Fitness Center, go to http://www.vetmed.ufl.edu/patientcare/services/rehab/ or call the small animal hospital front desk at 352-392-2235.