Frequently Asked Questions
Acupuncture
Is acupuncture on canines effective?
Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Only recently have western pet owners and veterinarians discovered the benefits of this therapy. Acupuncture treatment can support your dog’s emotional, psychological and physical health. Now recognized as a valid veterinary alternative, the World Health Organization endorses acupuncture as an effective medical treatment. It has been found to have significant therapeutic effects in approximately 90% of patients.
Why does my dog need acupuncture?
Acupuncture addresses the pain in a variety of conditions and disorders, including muscle and skeletal abnormalities, paralysis, arthritis, reproductive problems, and neurological illness. It also has a role in improving your dog’s athletic performance. By stimulating nerves, increasing blood circulation, and relieving muscle spasms, it releases endorphins, natural hormone that produce a feeling of well-being. Acupuncture’s role in strengthening a dog’s immune system results in improved function of vital organ systems.
Does it hurt?
Acupuncture is virtually painless; or far less painful than plucking out a hair. The sensations that follow range from nothing to a possible mild tingling to slight numbness. Sensations usually subside once the needles are removed. The needles used for acupuncture are much smaller than the standard hypodermic needle; they typically do not draw blood and are solid, not hollow. Most animals handle acupuncture treatments extremely well.
Do I need a referral for acupuncture?
In Texas, only licensed veterinarians can treat an animal with acupuncture. At the Canine Health Institute, we work with your primary care veterinarian so they are aware of all treatment modalities that your pet receives. We do request a basic referral form (which may cover a variety of treatments) and full medical records from your veterinarian before your pet comes in for their first visit.
How many sessions will it take?
We’ve found that a minimum of 3 to 5 treatments are necessary to determine if a patient will respond to acupuncture. The first few treatments are typically once a week and then depending on the patient’s response, treatments may be scheduled accordingly.
Will my pet bleed from acupuncture?
Bleeding is possible but unlikely. If a needle draws blood it is usually only a tiny speck. Acupuncture is very safe. However, acupuncture should not be performed on an animal that has a bleeding disorder or is taking an anticoagulant medication.
When will I see results?
Individual animals vary in their response to acupuncture. In general, we tell our patients they should start to see the benefits from acupuncture in 3-5 treatments. If the problem is acute, sometimes improvement is felt after 1 treatment, and many patients only need 4-6 treatments. If the problem is chronic and long term, it may take many treatments to help.
Am I allowed to be in the room with my pet?
At the Canine Health Institute, we not only allow but also encourage owners to stay with their pet. If an animal is receiving both acupuncture and rehabilitation, they may be with us for the entire day in which case the owner may choose to stay or not to stay.
Is the acupuncturist certified?
In Texas, only licensed veterinarians may treat an animal with acupuncture. A Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) has completed extensive post-graduate course work with an approved institute or university.
How long does a session take?
An acupuncture session generally takes about 20-30 minutes, but can sometimes take up to an hour depending on the individual case.
Chiropractic
Is chiropractic therapy effective?
Chiropractic adjustments help correct misalignments of the spine and the rest of the skeleton by restoring proper biomechanics and function of the nervous system.
Who is your chiropractor and is he or she certified?
Our chiropractor, Dr. Jackie Doval is a licensed chiropractor for both humans and animals. Dr. Doval is a graduate of Texas Chiropractic College and is the first chiropractor in Texas to become certified in Animal Chiropractic by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association.
Is this a one-time treatment?
Generally chiropractic adjustments take at least a minimum of two sessions. The second session is needed to determine if the chiropractic adjustment held. Animals with chronic conditions will need to be seen on a more regular basis. This schedule will be determined based on their response to the adjustments.
How many sessions will it take?
The number of sessions will vary with each individual. More acute problems often need to be seen more frequently. The first few treatments may be weekly but future visits may be extended out over time if the animal is maintaining the adjustments.
Does it hurt?
Most animals do not seem to show pain with a chiropractic exam or adjustment. Occasionally, an animal may experience some mild discomfort during an adjustment if the joint is significantly out of alignment.
Do I need a prescription to have this treatment?
Yes, our policy for chiropractic treatment requires a signed referral form from your animal’s primary care veterinarian prior to treatment.
Conditioning
Will conditioning my dog lengthen its life?
As in humans, conditioning can help improve the longevity of life. A dog that maintains their activity level and mobility has a much better chance of a longer, happier and healthier life as they age.
What do you do to evaluate and provide a treatment plan?
With our initial assessment, we take a variety of body measurements and evaluate joint range of motion. We also document the patient’s gait to use as a tool for a before and after comparison once treatment has been administered. The actual treatment plan will be based on the initial assessment’s findings, history, and future goals.
How do you measure the results?
Each patient’s results are based on breed, body measurements and joint range of motion. These are more objective values and can be measured. A dog’s athletic ability and function are more subjective and harder to measure but show very appreciable results.
What is a typical conditioning plan’s duration?
The duration will vary based on the patient’s needs and the underlying reason for rehab exercises. Like a conditioning plan for humans, it could take weeks or months. In some cases, athletic conditioning can be ongoing to achieve specific goals or may just be for a few months prior to a professional event or athletic season.
C-Arm Directed Injections
Are injections an alternative to surgery?
Injections can in some cases be a viable alternative to surgery. This minimally invasive procedure was designed to target the source of the pain and provide relief without surgery. C-arm guided spinal injections have been performed widely for diagnostic and management of spine and para-spinal related pain disorders in humans.
How long does the pain relief last?
The length of relief is variable, depending on the specific cause of the pain. Some patients may have no relief after injection, but many enjoy weeks, months and even years of pain relief.
Does this require anesthesia?
Yes, since this is a precise injection, an animal will either have to be heavily sedated or under general anesthesia for an injection.
Are there any dangers associated with steroids?
Small quantities of steroids injected into a joint or around a nerve typically have minimal systemic side effects.
How long does it take?
The injections themselves only take a few minutes to perform, but the preparation of the patient does take more time. The site for injection must be clipped and the skin must be cleansed to remove dirt and bacteria. This preparation is similar to that performed when a patient has surgery. The injection is done as a sterile procedure.
What will injections do for my pet?
Injections can provide quick pain relief allowing more comfortable weight bearing and range of motion in a particular joint or joints. The goal is to provide relief from the pain and discomfort that your pet suffers. The object of injection therapy is to reduce or eliminate pain, allowing your pet to be pain-free and return to normal function.
Diagnostic Imaging
How long does an MRI or CT take?
A MRI takes between 1-2 hours depending on the body part or parts to be imaged. A CT generally takes less than 30-45 minutes also depending on the body part or parts.
Does my pet have to be anesthetized for a MRI/CT?
Both MRI and CT scans require a patient to be extremely still to get the highest quality images, so they must be under general anesthesia. In rare cases, a CT might be performed with an animal only under heavy sedation.
Is diagnostic imaging worth the cost?
Since animals can’t tell us where it hurts we must accurately discover the source of their pain. Rather than spending hundreds of dollars to diagnose your pet’s problem, a diagnostic image can offer you immediate answers. A MRI, gives a very detailed picture that is far superior to other imaging techniques such as ultrasound, plain radiographs, and even a CT. A CT provides a very high quality multi-dimensional x-ray picture that can be sliced to identify details that could be missed on traditional
What happens with the image after it is taken?
Images are uploaded to our server and can be sent digitally to board certified veterinary radiologists all over the world for review and interpretation.
Are the images produced at your facility high quality?
The images from our 1.5 T MR and 4-slice helical CT scanner are of the highest quality available. These state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging units produce the same quality or better than what is available in most human hospitals.
Will my pet require special care afterwards?
Animals that have been under general anesthesia will have routine aftercare similar to any other anesthetic procedure.
How soon do I know the results?
MRIs take a little longer to interpret than CTs but we often have results within a few hours. Your veterinarian should receive results within 24 hours.
Heat Therapy
What is heat therapy?
Heat therapy is used to decrease pain and increase tissue extensibility. It is often used as a warm up to the patients exercise with a goal of decreasing tissue tightness, muscle spasms or pain.
Is heat therapy something I can do for my dog at home?
Heat therapy can be used at home but the proper heat source must be used. Electric heating pads can cause burns and should not be used.
Hydro-Therapy Underwater Treadmill
What if my pet doesn’t like water?
While some pets do not like to swim or tolerate bathing well, many appear quite comfortable in the underwater treadmill. Most canines seem to enjoy it once they get used to it. Plus, the water level is adjustable and can be slowly raised over multiple sessions when necessary to acclimate an individual that is fearful or uncomfortable with water.
Can a small dog use the underwater treadmill or is it only for big dogs?
The water level of our underwater treadmill equipment can be raised or lowered to any level. Our equipment allows treatments for both small and large dogs alike.
Why is underwater treadmill treatment effective?
The underwater treadmill provides cardiovascular and muscle exercise with decreased weight bearing on the patient’s limbs. It allows a weak, overweight, or disabled animal to exercise in a safe, healthy environment.
How is underwater treadmill different from a land treadmill?
The resistance caused by water creates a more difficult and efficient workout. Walking in water also encourages better range of motion and provides additional buoyancy, allowing the patient’s joints to be more comfortable while exercising.
What types of injuries are treated using the underwater treadmill?
The underwater treadmill is extremely beneficial for patients suffering from arthritis, obesity, neurologic disease, post-orthopedic surgery, soft tissue injuries and athletic conditioning, along with many other disease conditions.
How long does the underwater treadmill therapy take?
Initially when learning to walk in the underwater treadmill and when a canine is getting accustomed to the water, a session may only last 5-10 minutes. More experienced canines can walk up to 30 minutes.
Land Treadmill
Is the land treadmill used for exercise only?
Land treadmills are used for athletic conditioning but are also helpful for evaluating subtle gait abnormalities and gait re-training. The land treadmill is also used to improve a canines posture. For example, a technician can stand next to the treadmill and actually help correct the animal’s paw placement, improving posture, with each step it takes.
How is a canine land treadmill different from a human’s treadmill?
The treadmills used at the Canine Health Institute are designed specifically for dogs. They feature a detachable canine safety harness and low side rails to protect dogs and allow staff to continue to work with them.
Laser Therapy
What is laser therapy?
Laser therapy involves the use of light energy to help with pain, inflammation, and healing.
How does laser therapy work?
Cold lasers transfer light energy into the body to induce biochemical or cellular responses. Benefits of laser therapy include: accelerated tissue repair and cell growth, faster wound healing, and decreased pain and inflammation. Laser therapy is used for arthritis, muscle, ligament, and tendon injuries, as well as post-surgical trauma/wounds.
Do you use different types of lasers?
We use a Class III or cold laser. These are different from surgical or industrial cutting lasers.
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
What is neuromuscular stimulation?
Neuromuscular stimulation involves the application of an electrical current to elicit a muscle contraction.
On what types of cases do you use this?
Neuromuscular stimulation is used to enhance muscle performance. It helps with muscle re-education and strengthening as well as improving muscle function. It is often used to prevent muscle atrophy in a patient that has had surgery and cannot exercise or in cases where neurologic disease prevents normal muscle control. Neuromuscular stimulation can also be used to help rebuild muscle mass.
Stem Cell Therapy
What are stem cells?
Stem cells are cells found in most, if not all, multi-cellular organisms. They are characterized by the ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division and to differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cell types. For more information about stem cells click here - http://www.tellmeaboutstemcells.org/
What is stem cell therapy?
Stem cell therapy involves the use of stem cells that are extracted from an individual’s own adipose (fat) cells. Stem cells are capable of differentiating into a variety of tissue types, including tendon, ligament, bone, cartilage, smooth and cardiac muscle, liver, and others.
Why are stem cells important?
Studies show that Stem cell research has the potential to cure over 100 million people who suffer from various diseases and injuries. At the Canine Health Institute we believe that this same technology can, and will, do the same for animals.
Isn’t stem cell therapy controversial?
The stem cell controversy is the ethical debate centered only on research involving the creation, usage and destruction of human embryos; namely, embryonic stem cells. Not all stem cell research involves the creating, using and destroying of human embryos. Adult stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells, which do not involve creating, using or destroying human embryos is not controversial. Adult stem cells have been shown to be safe; since they are derived from the patients’ own tissues and they have a controlled growth in the body. Adult adipose derived stem cells are the type of stem cell therapy offered at the Canine Health Institute.
Is stem cell therapy an alternative to surgery?
Stem cell therapy can in some cases be an alternative to surgery if the body is able to heal itself. Stem cell therapy can also help animals heal more quickly after surgery. Stem cell therapy involves regeneration of the patient’s own biological tissues, while surgery often involves manipulation of the tissues, but not regeneration of them.
How long does stem cell therapy take?
The procedure for the collection of fat tissue usually takes around 30 minutes. The cell isolation procedure requires a 48-hour turn around time from the laboratory. Injecting stem cells using a C-arm and fluoroscopy usually takes around 20 minutes depending on the type and number of joints to be injected.
Is stem cell therapy expensive?
There is a moderate expense associated with stem cell therapy. The technology to isolate the stem cells and concentrate them is responsible for the bulk of the cost associated with this regenerative medicine.
Does stem cell therapy require anesthesia?
General anesthesia is required for the collection of a fat sample, which is a simple surgical procedure. The injection of stem cells using a C-arm and fluoroscopy requires heavy sedation or possibly general anesthesia depending on the type and number of joints to be injected.
Is stem cell therapy considered safe?
Adipose derived stem cells are very safe. Since they are isolated from an individual’s own fat tissue, there is no chance for rejection of the cells. Stem cells aid in the body’s natural healing process and can help regenerate healthy tissue. Stem cell therapy has been performed on thousands of animals without serious complications.
Do I need other treatments besides stem cell therapy
to have my pet reach the highest pain relief potential?
Most patients benefit from multiple modes of pain relief, depending on the nature of their condition. Although some clients report that their pet no longer needs any other form of therapy after stem cell injections, most patients may need additional therapy to control the most pain possible. Frequently, multiple different modalities are used for optimal pain control and return to function. Stem cell therapy can be safely used with NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), other pain medications, Adequan, Glucosamine, other supplements, and rehabilitation exercises.
When will I see results from stem cell therapy?
Each pet’s recovery time is dependent on the severity of his or her disease. While it does take considerable time for the body to repair chronic damage to the tissues, many clients report that they see benefits within the first few weeks of successful therapy.
Therapeutic Ultrasound
How is therapeutic ultrasound different from regular ultrasound?
Therapeutic ultrasound has higher energy and different frequencies than diagnostic ultrasound.
Do you have to shave my pet?
Hair needs to be shaved to allow for uniform heating and good contact between the ultrasound transducer and the skin.
How do you determine if this is necessary?
Ultrasound is most commonly used to: increase the extensibility of collagen in tissues to increase range of motion, decrease spasm and pain, and increase blood flow and metabolic rate to improve healing.
Is a prescription really necessary?
In Texas, the use of diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound is regulated by the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners as the practice of veterinary medicine and a therapeutic ultrasound may only be used on an animal if prescribed by the patient’s veterinarian.
Weight Management
Does my dog’s diet affect his ability to heal properly?
A high quality diet is necessary to provide the proper nutrients for correctly healing and increasing energy for daily activities. At the Canine Health Institute we promote healthy diets and offer suggested diet plans that will help a patient’s condition improve.
Are there certain supplements that can help my dog’s weight loss?
A good quality diet with controlled portions is the most important component when it comes to weight management. Additional supplements may help create healthy joints and skin among other benefits but will not necessarily help with weight control.
If my dog loses weight will this help lengthen his or her life?
Like humans, obesity is a medical condition that has serious health implications and will shorten a dog’s life. A recent study in Labrador Retrievers found that the thin dogs lived an average of 2 years longer than the obese dogs. Overweight dogs are at a much higher risk for osteoarthritis and a variety of other health problems that cause their life span to shorten.
How quickly will I see results in my dog’s weight?
Nutritionists estimate that a safe weight loss for dogs is 1 to 2% of body weight per week and the body generally needs a 3-6 month period for its metabolism to reset. Typically weight gain happens slowly over time, so weight reduction can be expected to follow the same pattern.
How many times will my dog need to visit the
Canine Health Institute for weight management?
The number of sessions per week will vary depending on your dog’s endurance and exercise ability. Most weight loss programs will start with sessions 2-3 days a week. As weight loss occurs and ability improves, the sessions can last longer and don’t have to be as frequent.
Does the Canine Health Institute provide an at
home plan to enhance the visits to your facility?
A variety of stretches and exercises can be taught for home use on days between visits.
Can I purchase food and supplements from your facility?
We offer a limited supply of food samples and medications here primarily for trial purposes. Prescription diets and medications can be purchased in larger quantities from your family veterinarian. We can also recommend reputable local pet food stores.