Acupetvet

10/31/2026

Blog post #2 Recovering not only through strength, but neurologically too!

🧠 Did You Know? Rehabilitation Isn't Just About Healing the Body — It's About Retraining the Brain, Too!
When our pets experience an injury, whether orthopedic (bones, joints, and muscles) or neurological (the brain, spinal cord, or nerves), the effects can reach much further than the original injury site.

The nervous system plays a major role in how our pets move, feel, balance, and coordinate their bodies. Following an injury, the brain and nervous system can change how they communicate with the rest of the body, affecting movement and muscle function even as the original injury begins to heal.
One example is Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition (AMI). This occurs when an injury or inflammation in a joint causes the surrounding muscles to become less active as the body tries to protect the injured area. Over time, this can lead to muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass, even when the muscle itself wasn't directly injured!

So, how can rehabilitation help? Our brains have an amazing ability called neuroplasticity, which allows the brain and nervous system to adapt, learn, and create new connections. Through repetition, movement, balance exercises, sensory stimulation, and targeted strengthening, we can encourage the brain and body to communicate more effectively and reinforce healthy movement patterns.

❤️ The Takeaway: Recovery isn't just about healing where the injury happened. It's about helping the entire body work together again! By addressing both the physical and neurological effects of injury, we can support more complete rehabilitation and help our patients return to moving with greater strength, confidence, and coordination.

Because sometimes, getting the body moving again starts with retraining the brain! 🐾

Every rehabilitation journey is unique, and treatment plans should be tailored to each patient's individual needs and abilities.
Contact Acupetvet with any questions or concerns about your pet's condition. 💚💙

📚 Source / Further Reading
Onlinepethealth. Overlooked Pathways of Communication: Equine Neuroplasticity and Neurodynamics

10/28/2026

Most of you remember when Archie was a puppy… well he celebrated his 3rd bday today and he wanted everyone to sing happy birthday to him!!

10/27/2026

Waffle came in for treatment today dressed up for Halloween as a hotdog 🌭
We’re happy to report that rehab went well, but several staff members are now craving hotdogs 🤣🐾

10/26/2026

🐾 16 YEARS YOUNG AND STILL GOING STRONG! ❤️🐕
Meet Jane! At 16 years old, this sweet girl is reminding us that age is just a number! 🥰
When Jane first came to Acupetvet, she was struggling with weakness, mobility challenges, and even stairs. But with rehabilitation, pain management, and the dedication of her amazing family, she's making wonderful progress!
❤️ She's putting more weight through her legs and getting stronger.
🐾 She's getting up from sitting more easily.
💪 She's navigating stairs again — something she wasn't doing when we first met her!
🌸 And our favorite part? Jane was recently caught RUNNING and JUMPING around her garden! Something she hadn't done in quite some time. And once she got going, she just kept going! 🥹❤️
Her family reports that she's enjoying walks, is motivated to do her home exercises, and is finding joy in being active again.
Jane still has some weakness we're working on, but seeing her confidence, comfort, and enthusiasm for life return is exactly why we love what we do.
At 16, it's not about turning back the clock. It's about making every day the best it can be. ❤️
Keep going, Jane! We're cheering you on! 🐾

10/20/2026

🐾☀️ Velcro’s idea of a perfect day? A little acupuncture, a little sunshine, and plenty of relaxation. 💙

During his treatment at Acupetvet, Velcro found the perfect sunny spot to recharge and soak up some rays. Acupuncture can help support comfort, mobility, and overall wellness, but we're pretty sure the sunshine was his favorite part. 😎☀️

We love seeing our patients feeling relaxed, happy, and living their best lives. Thanks for making our day a little brighter, Velcro! 🐾❤️

☀️🐕

10/15/2026

We want to help our Community by understanding our modalities more! Welcome to our first Blog post about research being done in the Rehabilitation side of Animal Studies!

🐾 Piezo Shockwave Therapy: More Than Just Pain Relief?

Did you know that shockwave therapy may offer benefits beyond treating orthopedic injuries? Emerging research suggests that Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) may also help support nerve regeneration and functional recovery!

🔬 What Does the Research Show?
Studies in animal models, particularly rats, have found promising results, including:

🧬 Nerve regeneration: Faster regrowth of injured nerve fibers.
💪 Nerve repair: Changes in biological processes involved in nerve healing.
🐕 Functional recovery: Earlier improvements in sensory and motor function, including gait.
These findings suggest that shockwave therapy may influence the body's natural healing processes in addition to helping manage pain.

💙 What Does This Mean for Our Patients?
Nerve injuries can affect an animal's strength, coordination, balance, and mobility. Shockwave therapy is being explored as an additional tool in rehabilitation programs to help support recovery and improve function.
When appropriate, it may be incorporated into an individualized rehabilitation plan alongside other therapies to help animals work toward their mobility and recovery goals.

A Note About the Research: More clinical research is needed to determine how these results translate to dogs, cats, and horses. Shockwave therapy is not appropriate for every patient, so treatment should always be tailored to the individual animal.

🐾 At our clinic, we love staying informed about advances in veterinary rehabilitation so we can continue exploring ways to support our patients' comfort, mobility, and quality of life!

Have questions about shockwave therapy for your pet?
Contact our team to learn more! 💙

Source: ELvation Marketing Team, “Shockwave Therapy and Nerve Regeneration for Veterinary Rehabilitation,” April 2, 2026.

10/13/2026

🐾 Exciting News from Acupetvet!

We’re proud to share that Dr. Tasha Wilson, DVM, CVMA, CCRT, will be presenting at the Elevation User Forum this October!

Her presentation, “Beyond the Stifles: Piezo Shockwave for Lumbosacral-Associated Hindlimb Stiffness,” will explore a fascinating clinical case highlighting how piezo shockwave therapy can make a meaningful difference in canine mobility.

Dr. Wilson will be sharing her clinical experience and insights with fellow veterinarians, helping advance the understanding and use of this innovative treatment in veterinary rehabilitation.

At Acupetvet, we’re passionate not only about helping our patients move better and live more comfortably, but also about sharing knowledge that can help more animals beyond our own practice.

Congratulations, Dr. Wilson! We’re so proud to see your expertise making an impact in the veterinary community! 💙🐾

10/09/2026

🐾 Lois has discovered the best part of rehab… the window seat! 😂
While the rest of us are busy working on those muscles, Lois is busy monitoring the neighborhood, supervising clinic operations, and making sure absolutely NOTHING suspicious happens outside. 👀
Rehab? ✔️
Great view? ✔️
Keeping tabs on the squirrels? VERY ✔️ 🐿️
Just another hard day at the office for Lois at Acupetvet Animal Rehabilitation Clinic! 💕🐶

10/08/2026

10/07/2026

Clay coordinated outfits with Dr. Wilson for his shift as clinic dog today!