Physical therapy and rehabilitation can help with a variety of issues. We often see animals with pain issues, but most commonly we're dealing with mobility issues related to joint problems, orthopedic issues, arthritis, tendon problems, soft tissue problems, or muscle issues. We also handle neurologic issues. Anything that's causing a mobility issue is something that we would aim to treat.

Physical therapy and rehabilitation can help with pain and mobility issues. If you notice changes in your cat's behavior, such as a decrease in jumping or activity, that is a clear indication to seek help. We first address pain and then work on strength and mobility, which improves their mobility and overall quality of life.

There are many things involved in cat physical therapy and rehabilitation. We have to consider the cat's mindset as they are a bit different than dogs. We primarily address mobility issues, which may not always be easily recognized in cats. The methods we use for helping them with mobility and comfort include laser treatment, acupuncture, underwater treadmill, and sometimes manual therapies like massage. What we do greatly depends on what the cats will allow us to do, but usually, we can significantly improve their comfort with physical rehab.

Extractions or surgical removal of a tooth is not something that any of us as veterinarians want to do. We will only make that decision if it's in the best interest of your pet. Those reasons for needing an extraction would be pain, infection, or in rare situations, if we're trying to save another tooth that is sometimes a more important tooth from a structural standpoint. When we do perform extractions, those are surgical extractions. It's oral surgery where we make sure that we're providing any pain relief and medication necessary to keep the pet comfortable following that extraction. But in most situations, that tooth has been compromised to the point where we can no longer keep that tooth healthy and it's in the animal's best interest to extract or surgically remove that tooth.

Here at Aspen Vet Clinic, during any of our wellness exams or wellness visits, our doctors are evaluating a full physical exam, including looking at your pet's mouth and oral health. During that initial examination, we can get a pretty good idea of whether or not it's important for your dog to undergo a dental procedure or a dental cleaning in order to properly clean and evaluate the full health of your pet's mouth.

The only way for us to know the full health of a mouth is to take oral x-rays or radiographs, which give us an idea of what's happening below the gum line. When you look at your dog's mouth, all you can see is the crown of the tooth, which is kind of like the tip of the iceberg. It's the top half of the tooth, but ultimately the bottom half of the tooth, the part that's stuck in the jaw is the most important part of that tooth. The only way that we can evaluate that is by taking oral x-rays or radiographs.