Pet Rehabilitation in Bellingham, WA
Pet rehabilitation helps dogs and cats recover from injury, surgery, and age-related aches. At our veterinary hospital in Bellingham, we offer an underwater treadmill, stem cell therapy, and therapeutic laser to support healing. Many pets regain strength, mobility, and comfort with these tools.
What Is Pet Rehabilitation?
Pet rehabilitation uses targeted therapies to support recovery and improve quality of life. It can help pets heal after surgery, manage chronic joint pain, or regain strength after an injury. We tailor each rehabilitation plan to the individual pet and their specific condition.
Underwater Treadmill Therapy
Our Oasis underwater treadmill has significantly expanded how we treat joint and muscle problems. The water is warmed to body temperature, which helps relax sore muscles and joints. Because water creates buoyancy, pets get a low-impact workout that’s gentle on healing joints.
The water’s resistance also helps rebuild muscle weakened by injury or inactivity. We can customize each session by adjusting speed and incline, tailoring the workout to your pet’s needs.
Pet Stem Cell Therapy
We’ve offered stem cell and platelet-rich plasma therapy for dogs and cats with joint problems since 2011. This treatment can help with many types of orthopedic issues, and we use it most often for dogs with knee problems, including torn cruciate ligaments.
A torn cruciate ligament is commonly treated with a surgery called a TPLO, which involves cutting the bone below the knee joint. It’s an established, effective option, though recovery can take time. For some dogs, stem cell and platelet-rich plasma therapy may offer another path, and we’ll help you weigh the options.
Pet Therapeutic Laser
Therapeutic laser is an FDA-cleared method for treating injuries and conditions linked to chronic pain. It may help with arthritis, joint pain, tendon and ligament injuries, wounds, muscle sprains, neck and back pain, and hip dysplasia. It can also support healing after surgery.
Laser therapy is thought to work by boosting cellular energy and improving circulation, oxygen flow, and nutrient delivery to damaged tissue. This process may help reduce pain and swelling, ease muscle spasms, and support flexibility and healing.
Each session is pain-free, non-invasive, and takes just a few minutes. Some pets show improvement after the first treatment, though most conditions respond best over several sessions. We use a Class IV laser, powerful enough to treat deep tissue in large dogs while remaining gentle enough for more surface-level conditions.
Signs Your Pet May Benefit from Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation can support pets in many different situations. Consider asking us about it if your pet has:
- Recently had surgery, especially orthopedic surgery
- Arthritis or ongoing joint pain
- A torn ligament or tendon injury
- Reduced mobility or muscle loss with age
- Chronic back, neck, or hip discomfort
We’re happy to talk through whether rehabilitation could help your pet.
What to Expect
We’ll start by evaluating your pet’s condition and goals to build a personalized plan. Many pets benefit from a combination of therapies, such as laser treatment alongside underwater treadmill sessions. We’ll monitor progress along the way and adjust the plan as your pet responds. Rehabilitation is often used alongside pet acupuncture as part of our integrative approach to care.
Trusted Integrative Care Since 1986
Families across Bellingham and Whatcom County have trusted us with their pets since 1986. Our veterinarians bring decades of combined experience, including specialized rehabilitation therapies since 2011. We’ll always explain your options, their benefits, and the costs, so you can choose what’s best for your pet.