If your dog is in pain, their symptoms may be subtle. If you notice any of these behaviors or changes in your pet, it would be a good idea to schedule an appointment with our team!
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Limping
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Licking a specific joint repeatedly
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Slowing down on walks
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Reluctance to climb or descend stairs
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Trouble jumping on the couch or bed
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Yelping or crying when moved or picked up
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Restless sleep
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Arched back
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New aggression
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Grumpy or reluctant to be touched
What makes us different from other animal rehab clinics in Chicago?
We offer comprehensive canine rehabilitation in Chicago tailored specifically to the pet’s needs and is inclusive of all services. While most of our patient's are dogs, we also treat cats!
Some veterinary rehab clinics will offer services a la carte i.e. laser therapy or underwater treadmill, but if a pet is more sore after a weekend of longer walks, they aren’t able to modify the plan resulting in decreased productivity during the session. Here at Healing Tails, we are able to modify rehab on the spot for your animal because a vet is always overseeing the plan, not a tech or assistant.
Our expert veterinarian, Dr. Arielle, is trained in chiropractic care, rehab, acupuncture and herbal medicine. This means your pets get the most comprehensive treatment plan recommendations possible!
We Develop a Partnership with Pet Parents to Get the Best Results for our Patients!
It is important for us to develop a partnership with you! As your pet’s caregiver, you know them the best, so teaching you how to help them live their best quality of life possible is an important part of what we do!
What Happens During the First Exam
The initial exam is an hour and the most comprehensive exam your pet will ever get in order to create a custom treatment plan just for them. We even sometimes find lumps and bumps or other issues that have been missed as we check every inch of the pet!
We are also able to prescribe and/or recommend medications and supplements if needed. From vet visits, to rehab, to supplements, Healing Tails has you covered for all of it!
Your pet will be examined on a soft mat on the floor where they are most comfortable. We utilize treats and low stress handling techniques (including treats) to make sure that the visit goes smoothly - we want them to be excited to come to see us!
What We Offer
Underwater Treadmill
This uses warm water to support your pet's weight while they are walking on the treadmill. With underwater treadmill we can work on improving your pet's joint range of motion, strength and mobility.
Therapeutic Exercise
This is one of the most important aspects of comprehensive rehabilitation programs! An exercise plan is designed specifically for your dog and implemented by the therapist. This can involve a variety of exercises and equipment and can be utilized to help improve your pets strength, balance and coordination.
Laser Therapy
At Healing Tails we utilize a class 4 laser called the K-laser. This treatment is non painful and utilizes different wavelengths
of light to target the affected tissue. It can be used to accelerate wound healing, reduce pain, stiffness, swelling and muscle spasms.
It can be utilized for patients recovering from surgery, strains, sprains, muscle spasms, arthritis, tendinitis, and certain internal medical conditions such as kidney disease and cystitis.
Manual Therapy/
Massage/Stretching
This is a non-invasive technique which can help relieve chronic pain, increase range of motion and reduce inflammation.
Chiropractic Care
This treatment focuses on the health of your pet's nervous system. A healthy nervous system is important because the nervous system ultimately controls everything in your pet's body! Chiropractic care ensure that the spine and all of the associated components are moving appropriately and communicating effectively with the rest of the body. Sometimes clients who have experienced chiropractic care for themselves are a little nervous to pursue this treatment for their pets, but the adjustment are light and gentle, there's generally not a loud popping sound and no aggressive manipulation involved.
Acupuncture
This involves placing needles in specific points on your pet's body. The needles are very thin, in fact most pets do not even notice when we're placing them. Acupuncture works to re-balance the body's flow of energy of blood and can be used to relieve painful conditions such as arthritis or internal medicine conditions such as gastrointestinal issues, anxiety, or kidney disease. The effects are cumulative and typically patients come in for weekly treatments for the first 4-6 treatments.
Orthotic Fitting
Sometimes pets need a little extra support for an unstable joint either due to their body structure or injury. If your pet requires an orthotic device, we can help fit your pet with a customized orthotic.
Home Exercise Program
The home exercise program is an important part of the treatment plan! After your pet's first session, you'll receive a program tailored just for them. It will be sent via email. If you have any questions or concerns, you can always film a short video and we can provide you with pointers on how to improve your technique.
