cartersmom said:

http://unionlak.....rehab.html

 

This is where I was going to go.  This clinic always seemed to have the most up to date treatments and vets with different specialties.  Vs mine who is 68 now and I fear would just tell me to put Carter down. 

That looks like a good place! I tried calling to ask some questions for you but got their voice mail. What I was going to ask was what our friends at CARE recommend asking the clinic if they have:

• rehabilitation staff with the “CCRT” or “CCRP” credentials
• an on-site veterinarian also certifed in canine rehabilitation
• several rehabilitation modalities and treatment options available
• custom treatment plans and “homework assignments” for patients
• answers all of your questions promptly

 Look for Credentials

In our Tripawd Talk Radio interview with Dr. Jessica Waldman of California Animal Rehabilitation Center in Los Angels, Dr. Waldman emphasized the importance of finding a rehabilitation practice that has both a licensed veterinarian certified in rehabilitation therapy and a credentialed canine rehabilitation practitioner. A certified canine rehabilitation practitioner is without a doubt someone who understands the current gold standards of veterinary rehabilitation therapy.

 The rehabilitation center's practitioners should have the initials “CCRT” (Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist) or “CCRP” (Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner) after their name. Anyone who has these initials has graduated from one of only two accredited courses in the world recognized for outstanding training and education:

 If you choose to see a practitioner who hasn't graduated from these programs, that doesn't necessarily mean they aren't qualified, but there are extra steps you should take to ensure you're dog isn't at risk of further injury and that you're getting your money's worth.

 Also...Look for a Clinic with a Variety of Treatment Options. CARE's Dr. Waldman states that another key factor in finding an effective practice is to find one that places a primary emphasis on pain mangement strategies. “Remember that with all rehab, pain management is key, number two is flexibility and then once you've attained those things, then you work on strengthening,” she said in our interview.

The practice should provide a diagnosis on what is causing your Tripawd to be in pain and be able to alleviate pain through different modalities ranging from prescription NSAIDs to accupucture (another reason why its so critical to have a veterinarian on staff, since physical therapists cannot prescribe pain relief drugs or administer accupuncture).

Hope this helps! Let us know how they respond to your questions.