Chiropractic

Dr. Sayre performs MONTHLY chiropractic workshops in State College (2j4paws The Training Academy | Dog Training | 121 Kennel Ln, Port Matilda, PA, USA) and Altoona (HeartDog | Altoona PA | Facebook). The workshops are announced in advance on our Facebook page and interested pet owners are emailed directly a month in advance to set up an appointment time. If you would like to be included on this email list, please contact us at msayre@zenpet-vet.com.

The chiropractic “adjustment” seeks to re-establish normal mobility to the spine and legs, which in turn leads to a variety of happy results. Many of us have personal experience with chiropractors so are familiar with its effects. While certainly not a cure-all, the benefits of having mobile joints (there are more than 10 joint spaces between two vertebrae!) are numerous. Nerves going to the front and rear legs, tail and all organs of the chest and abdomen exit the spinal cord through very small foramina, or spaces. If the joints between two vertebrae are restricted, the nerves in this area are affected. This can lead to pain (at the site or at a distant site) or dysfunction of the tissue the nerve is traveling to.

A thorough chiropractic treatment should always include an analysis of the dog’s gait, and a thorough palpation of muscles, long bones and all joints for asymmetry and/or pain. Chiropractic issues are often secondary-from repetitively using the body in certain ways (for instance, a dog running a fence line, or jumping up to see out a front window), or from an arthritic joint, a muscle or fascial restriction, or trigger point. That’s why chiropractic shouldn’t exist in a vacuum-identification of underlying problems must be part of a good chiropractic exam.

If a sore muscle or fascia restriction is noted, the animal will be referred to the appropriate manual therapy provider for treatment. If a thickened joint is noted with decreased mobility, referral to the pet’s regular veterinarian for diagnostics will be recommended.

Physical Rehabilitation

Just as you would go to your physical therapist after an injury or surgery, physical therapy exists for pets as well.

Dr. Sayre can meet you either at your home or her Port Matilda office to design a rehabilitation program for your pet.

Issues that might benefit from a formal rehabilitation program:

• Post-injury such as a CCL strain, iliopsoas strain, shoulder injury, hyperextended carpal joints (wrist), or back injury
• Senior dog who is having trouble navigating daily activities such as stairs, slippery surfaces, standing to eat or eliminate.
• Post-surgical cases such as TPLO, FHO, hemilaminectomy, fractures

Rehabilitation may include any of the following:

• Evaluation of movement through observation (often with the benefit of video), palpation, measurement
• Pain control (via pharmaceuticals, massage, laser, shockwave, joint injections, PEMF)
• Stretching
• Strengthening exercises

It is beyond the scope of our business to offer multiple visits, however we can accommodate a preliminary visit, and a final (discharge) visit. Depending on the comfort level of the owner and the specific issue being addressed for rehabilitation, referral to another professional (eg. massage therapist, exercise instructor, acupuncturist) for more frequent care will be made.

Low-level laser therapy a.k.a. photobiomodulation

Low-level laser therapy a.k.a. photobiomodulation. Our Aurora Class IV laser emits near-infrared light waves in the 808-940 nm range. Many studies have shown an increased rate of tissue healing, decreased pain and inflammation in association with the use of this type of light therapy. Animals don’t feel anything, and treatments are quick: less than 10 minutes.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

New to the practice in 2023 is our Pulsevet. This therapy uses an electrohydraulic charge to create a wave of energy that is released as sound and applied to the affected tissue.

Research has been impressive thus far in the treatment of lower back pain, tendonopathies, muscle sprains such as iliopsoas injury, forelimb pain due to osteoarthritis,and post-operative healing (specifically after TPLO surgery for Cranial Cruciate Ligament injury and malunion fractures). Research is ongoing into its role in the non-surgical treatment of partial cranial cruciate tears.

The treatment will last 2-4 minutes per site, depending on the size of the pet and condition treated. It does create a loud noise, so ear protection for the humans and pet will be provided. Most dogs tolerate these treatments well and without sedation.

Massage therapy

Our practice works very closely with a local massage therapist and canine conditioning coach, Stacey Brown. Many will recognize Stacey from the office if you were previous clients. Stacey is a certified canine massage therapist and is working toward her conditioning certification. She has years of experience in both fields and Dr. Sayre consults with her on many cases that require her services.

Within the realm of a formal physical rehabilitation program for a specific condition, Dr. Sayre will prescribe manual therapies such as massage, myofascial release and stretching, as well as strengthening of affected muscles and tendons. Strengthening can only occur through exercise. As you can imagine, targeted exercises in dogs require their 100% participation. Stacey will help select and teach the proper exercises with the proper form. She will be available through email for questions you may have. She may ask you to record yourself performing exercises with the patient so that she can detect challenges, poor form or other problems. Stacey sees patients in two locations (1 in in State College, 1 in Altoona), and at the patient’s home.

She can be contacted by phone at 814-644-1537 or email at puppyclean17@gmail.com. More about her services can be found on her Facebook page.

Hospice

Dr. Sayre offers skilled and compassionate euthanasia in your home. This service is for dogs, cats and exotic species of any size.

Making this decision is never easy and we encourage all pet owners to discuss the timing of humane euthanasia with their regular veterinarian.

In addition, various Quality of Life checklists exist on the internet to assist your decision-making process. The one we recommend is Quality-of-Life Assessment | Lap of Love.

Once the decision has been made, you can reach out to us by email (msayre@zenpet-vet.com), and we will discuss the details of the day. Because these visits must be by appointment only, some planning must take place.

To allow for a better understanding of the process, listed below are general guidelines.

1. Scheduling and Preparation:

• By email communication: a day, time and location for the planned passing of your pet will be set.
• This will be based on the urgency of the situation and the availability of everyone involved.
• This will need to be done via email to allow for a digital trail of communications (so that nothing is forgotten).
• Complete the Client Information form
• The Euthanasia Authorization (see attached) form is here for you to review, however, it does not need to be filled out ahead of time. Dr. Sayre will have the form with her for you to sign in person.
• If you have concerns that your pet may need a sedative prior to the appointment, please let us know. These medicines can generally be obtained from your regular veterinarian and can be very helpful in cases where there is suspicion that your pet may become agitated or frightened if a new person comes into the home. These medicines often are given the evening before and the morning of the procedure.
• Decide who you would like to be present. Many people ask about having other pets present. Dr. Sayre recommends that other pets be permitted into the room before and after euthanasia, but not during the procedure to avoid distractions.
• Decide on a location in the home (or outdoors, weather permitting) that you think would be most relaxing for your pet.
• If your pet is over 50 pounds and you elect cremation, Dr. Sayre may need to bring a technician for help in transportation.

2. The Day of Euthanasia

• Feed your pet whatever they want to eat, if they are eating
• Give the oral sedatives as prescribed.

3. The Euthanasia Process

• Dr. Sayre will arrive and briefly assess, where appropriate, the animal to affirm the necessity of euthanasia.
• She will answer any questions you may have
• She will then give your pet a sedative injection to relieve pain and ease anxiety. This injection takes a variable amount of time to work, but it is usually between 5 and 15 minutes. During this time, you will have the opportunity to quietly sit with your pet, stroking her/him, and saying your final goodbyes.
• Once your pet is fully sedated, a tourniquet will be placed on the pet’s leg and a shot will be given into a vein in the leg. The shot will take effect quite quickly; your pet should pass peacefully within a minute.
• Dr. Sayre will confirm that your pet has passed and you will then have an opportunity to be with your pet after this, if you so desire.

4. Aftercare

• Aftercare options available are home burial, private cremation, communal cremation.
• Local laws regarding home burial should be followed if you elect to bury your pet at home
• If you would like to have your pet cremated, Dr. Sayre can take your pet and have him/her cremated. You can elect a “communal cremation”, where several pets are cremated at the same time, or a private cremation, where only your pet is cremated and their remains are returned to you in a carved wooden box, along with their pawprint in clay.
• If you are interested in additional aftercare services and products, you may view the catalog here.