A longtime patient and friend of the MSU Veterinary Medical Center, Olive the 13-year-old dog, recently hit a momentous milestone in her wellness journey: her 300th session with the Hospital’s Rehabilitation Service.
Olive first began visiting the Rehab Service in 2017 for treatment of ongoing arthritis due to a past injury. She had suffered previous bilateral partial cranial cruciate ruptures—the canine equivalent of tearing your ACL in both legs. Due to the nature of her injuries, she had not been a good candidate for surgical repair; however, consistent rehabilitation treatments can often serve as effective alternatives for enhancing an animal’s quality of life without surgery, as was the case for Olive. With treatment and the support of her dedicated owner, Olive has made enormous strides in her mobility and pain levels as she has aged.
Walking Through Olive’s Appointment
As a seasoned patient, Olive needs little direction in her appointments—she transitions from station to station in the rehabilitation room on her own. Here is what her 300th visit entailed:
First, Olive hops into the hydrotherapy tank, where she walks in about a foot of warm water to alleviate the weight she bears on her lower joints. She wears a leashed harness for safety. This therapy takes about 25 minutes.
After hydrotherapy, Olive dries off and expresses appreciation for Stephanie Kiszka, LVT, a veterinary nurse in the Rehab Service who has worked with Olive since the “little powerhouse,” as Stephanie calls her, began her treatments.
Olive then performs a series of exercises that target her hind legs. Pictured, she is guided through elevated sit/stand movements. Many of these exercises are repeated at home with her owner for consistency.
Next, Olive begins the laser therapy section of her appointment. Wearing goggles to protect her eyes (all humans in the room wear protection too), she sits with a pulsed electromagnetic field ring placed over an arthritic limb. The ring helps to heal inflammation.
Veterinary assistant Naomi Wells delivers laser therapy to Olive’s sides using a handheld device. Like the electromagnetic field ring, the laser helps with pain and inflammation under the skin. While the treatment takes place, Olive enjoys frozen baby food in a small bowl.
Happy 300! At the conclusion of Olive’s appointment, her care team recognizes her and her family’s years of dedication to health with special treats. From the entire Veterinary Medical Center: Way to go, Olive!
