Call Us: 417-860-2429

River Canine Rehabilitation

Springfield, Missouri

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Cryotherapy & Thermotherapy

Cryotherapy

We use an ice compression unit called Game Ready around a painful area to reduce pain by blocking pain fibers as well as reduce swelling by increasing lymphatic flow. The combination of pain relief and reduction of swelling will help to regain range of motion in a post-op joint. For our post op patients, we can focus on pain control initially with this modality, then as they become more active, we can use it at the end of our sessions to provide comfort after working hard.

If using ice packs on your pet at home, be sure to only apply for 5-10 minutes at a time. Place a soft cloth between the ice pack and the pet’s skin to avoid tissue damage.

Homemade gel ice packs

What you need:

  • 1 quart or 1 gallon plastic freezer bags (depending on how large you want the cold pack)
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup rubbing alcohol

Instructions:

  1. Fill the plastic freezer bag with 1 cup of rubbing alcohol and 2 cups of water.
  2. Try to get as much air out of the freezer bag before sealing it shut.
  3. Place the bag and its contents inside a second freezer bag to contain any leakage.
  4. Leave the bag in the freezer for at least an hour.
  5. When it’s ready, place a towel between the gel pack and bare skin to avoid burning the skin.

An alternative filler is simply to use dish soap, which has a gel-like consistency and will also freeze/retain the cold.

Thermotherapy

Using heat packs or exercise in warm water can help to relieve pain, relax muscles, and increase oxygen uptake which then speeds tissue healing. We use heat on patients with more chronic conditions such as arthritis as the heat can increase irritation of an acutely painful area.

If you use heat at home, be sure the pet can move away from the heat source to avoid getting overheated as well as prevention of thermal burns to the skin.

How to make your own homemade heat pack:

Supplies needed

  • Two hand towels
  • Ziplock bag
  • Microwave

Steps

  1. Wet both towels with water, squeezing out the excess water until they’re just damp.
  2. Put one towel in the ziplock bag, being sure to leave the bag open. Place the bag in the microwave and heat on high for two minutes.
  3. Remove the bag from the microwave. Be careful — it will be hot! Seal the ziplock bag, and wrap the other wet towel around the bag.
  4. Apply your homemade heating pad to the sore area. The heat should last about 20 minutes.

 

Cryotherapy being performed on Jane to reduce pain in her knee.

All sessions are by appointment only.
Call 417-860-2429 to schedule a session.

Rehab sessions generally last 45 minutes. During this time, we have the patient do a variety of activities as well as pain relieving techniques if needed. We prefer for the pet owner to NOT be in the room during the sessions as this is distracting to the pets in the gym. We need the pet to focus on us to get as much out of their session as possible!

We are happy to take pictures and videos so you can see what your pet is doing in therapy and monitor the progress.

If your schedule won't allow for a specific appointment time, we do offer day boarding for an additional fee. You can drop your pet off on your way to work and pick up later in the day.

Please be on time to take full advantage of your pets' scheduled session!

Hours

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

7am - 5pm

7am - 5pm

7am - 5pm

7am - 5pm

Closed

Closed

Closed

Location

2215 W. Republic Road
Springfield, Missouri 65807

Directions

Take Kansas Expressway South to Republic Road, turn right (west), we are at the 1st stop light on the northwest corner of Cox and Republic Road.

Contact

417-860-2429
riverk9rehab@gmail.com

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