Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists (GCVS)

Conditions We Treat

We provide expert physical rehabilitation for pets recovering from surgeries or managing a wide variety of medical conditions. Our tailored approach addresses each pet’s unique needs to improve mobility, alleviate pain, and restore quality of life.

Most Commonly Treated Conditions:

• General Maintenance Therapy: For pets requiring ongoing care to maintain mobility and strength

• Joint Disorders: Hip and Elbow dysplasia, Osteoarthritis (OA), and degenerative joint disease (DJD)

• Lameness: Diagnostic workup for limping, skipping, or any change in gait

• Neurologic Disorders: Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), degenerative myelopathy (DM), Wobbler syndrome, vestibular disease, and lumbosacral disease

• Orthopedic Conditions: Tendon injuries, muscle strains, fractures, neck and back pain

• Pain Management: Targeted therapies to alleviate chronic and acute pain

• Post-Surgical Rehabilitation: Enhances recovery and returns to normal function after surgery, such as TPLO, FHO, MPL repairs, and more

• Prehab: proactively strengthens the musculoskeletal system to prevent injuries or improve surgical outcomes, resulting in a faster, more complete recovery with reduced pain and a lower chance of complications

• Sporting Dogs: Evaluations to enhance performance, recovery, and long-term health

• Weight Management: Supporting healthy weight loss for improved mobility and health, resulting in better quality and longevity of life

• Working Dogs: Prevention of injuries, improved longevity of service, recovery from injuries, and return to work

Our Rehabilitation Services Include:

• Acupuncture: Stimulates specific points to promote natural healing, reduce pain, and improve overall wellness

• Braces & Wheelchair Fittings: Custom-fit mobility aids to support injured joints, compensate for weakness, or restore independence

• Chiropractic Therapy: Realigns joints and the spine to restore movement, improve function, and reduce discomfort

• Chronic Pain Management: Ongoing treatment plans to help pets with long-term pain, maintain comfort, and quality of life

• Cold Therapy: Reduction of swelling and inflammation, and improvement in pain

• Electrical Stimulation: Stimulates muscle contraction, aids in pain relief, and helps prevent muscle atrophy

• Epidurals: Targeted pain control for severe spinal or pelvic discomfort

• Heat Therapy: Relaxes muscles, improves circulation, and tissue plasticity

• Home Exercise Programs: Tailored instructions for at-home activities to maintain progress between rehabilitation sessions

• Joint Injections: Delivers targeted medication to reduce inflammation and improve joint comfort

• Lameness Work-Up: Comprehensive evaluation to pinpoint the cause of gait changes or mobility issues

• MRI/CT: Advanced imaging for the detailed evaluation of soft tissues, bones, and neurological structures

• Musculoskeletal Ultrasounds: Non-invasive imaging to assess muscles, tendons, and ligaments for injury or inflammation

• Post-Op Rehabilitation: Structured recovery plans to restore function, prevent complications, and optimize healing after surgery

• Shockwave Therapy: Decreases pain and enhances the healing process, particularly in chronic or non-healing injuries

• Therapeutic Exercises: Improves muscle strength, weight-bearing ability, range of motion, and neurological response

• Therapeutic Laser: Promotes cellular regeneration and reduces pain, swelling, and inflammation

• Therapeutic Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and break down scar tissue to improve mobility

• Underwater Treadmill Therapy: Improves muscle strength, gait, and controlled exercise for activity restriction, helps to channel pent-up energy/improves behavior

• Weight Loss & Weight Management: Nutritional guidance and tailored exercise plans to help pets achieve and maintain a healthy weight