river pet resort & rehab
offers physical rehabilitation for dogs with orthopedic and neurologic problems.
Programs include aquatic and cross-training exercises, laser, massage and acupuncture.
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Dr. Karen Zelinski is a certified in canine physical rehabilitation. She received her veterinary degree in 1993 at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Zelinski has practiced small animal medicine for 30 years. During that time she spent several years in emergency practice. Dr. Zelinski took her certification training for canine physical rehabilitation at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. She currently evaluates and treats the rehabilitation cases at river pet resort and also sees regular cases at our affiliate hospital Animal General. Dr. Zelinski strives to provide excellent veterinary care and work closely with your regular veterinarian when your dog is a rehab patient at river pet resort.
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Special Cases at river pet resort & rehab
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Oswald came to river pet resort in December of 2021 after having back surgery to relieve spinal cord compression due to intervertebral disc disease in November 2021. Initially he was unable to use his rear legs and had severe muscle atrophy. He has been gradually recovering and is able to support weight on his rear legs and take several steps in a row. His physical rehab sessions include walking in the under water treadmill, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, acupucnture, balancing exercises and range of motion.
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Beowulf is an 8 year old neutered male Beagle. He had right FHO (femoral head osteotomy) surgery in Feb. 2023 to treat right hip luxation and hip dysplasia. Here he is (in the image below) exercising in our under water treadmill to build strength and improve range of motion as he recovers.
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| Nana is a four year old female spayed Great Dane. She had an FCE (fibrocartilaginous emboli) that caused rear leg paresis in December 2022. Nana has been recovering well. She stayed at river pet resort for several weeks for water exercise, balance exercise, range of motion and nursing care. She can now get up and walk on her own. She is a special big girl.
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Yogi was a 7 year old neutered male German Shepard dog when he came to river pet for physical rehabilitation. He had an infection in his spine called diskospndylitis which caused rear leg paralysis in November 2013. His rear legs regained some function and he became able to walk again with some assistance.
Yogi worked hard to recover by doing exercises daily at home with his family and coming to river pet 2-3 times per week for physical rehabilitation. His treatment sessions included passive range of motion exercises, balance exercises, low level laser, acupuncture, assisted underwater treadmill walking and swimming. Range of motion exercises are important to reduce stiffness of muscles ligaments and tendons which can occur in a dog that is not walking for a period of time. Balance exercises are done using a balance ball and are useful to retrain the legs to shift left and right. Acupuncture and low level laser stimulate nerve signals. Swimming is helpful for core and leg strengthening. Water treadmill walking assists the dog in re-learning a normal walking motion.
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| Yogi swimming |
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Gordo is a two year old male ShihTzu who was rescued by "Pet ResQ" from a local shelter when he was paralyzed in his hind legs. Gordo needed back surgery for a "slipped disc" and Pet ResQ used their resources to help. They took him to the Animal Specialty Center in Yonkers for surgery to relieve spinal cord compression. Gordo has had several weeks of physical rehabilitation at river pet resort including neuromuscular electrical stimulation, balance exercises, acupuncture and underwater treadmill walking to help his recovery. The Pet ResQ group has worked with Gordo on a daily basis to sling walk him and give him lots of TLC. Gordo is actually walking without assistance three months post surgery!
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Zero is a six year old neutered male Jack Russell. He became acutely paralyzed in December 2010 due to intervertebral disc protusion. He had surgery to remove disc material that was pressing on his spinal cord. Zero is recovering well. His owner works with him patiently doing daily exercises at home and walking him with a sling for support.
Zero has been coming to river pet resort & rehab twice a week after surgery for physical rehabilitation sessions. Zero's treatments include balance practice on a physioball, obstacle course walking to practice turns and stepping, swimming and water treadmill walking. Two months after surgery he is beginning to walk on his own and he now loves swimming!
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