Veterinary Health of Westminster

Your veterinarian will be able to recommend rehabilitation services based on a physical exam. Some common issues that rehabilitation services are used for include post-surgical recovery (commonly TPLO or other crutiate surgeries, luxating patella, IVVD and other “back dogs” (and FHOs), lameness (where surgery is not an option or is not elected by the owner), neurologic disease that causes abnormal gait, muscle contractures, sports injuries, and arthritis. Feel free to ask your veterinarian whether your pet would be a good candidate.

YES! Some dogs even need dental cleanings twice a year. It is recommended by the American Association of Veterinary Dentists that dogs and cats start having yearly dental cleanings at one year of age. That “dog breath” we all complain about is not normal. It is a build-up of bacteria in the mouth that causes painful destruction of the teeth and mouth and can affect our pet’s hearts and livers. Even if we were perfect at brushing our pet’s teeth twice daily (which few of us are), there would still be a need for a professional cleaning yearly. Humans brush regularly and are still recommended to have cleanings every 6 months –why would we not do the same for our pets?

Making an appointment is streamlined and easy. Check out the home page to easily book an appointment online or the ‘Appointment’ button in the navigation bar. You can also use our mobile site to book or, of course, you can call us! To book an initial rehabilitation assessment, you first need a general health appointment.

Whereas having some basic commands is nice, no training is necessary! We have a lot of tricks (and treats!) up our sleeves for getting our patients confident in the movements and equipment necessary for rehabilitation. We never force a pet to do something they are uncomfortable doing and have many variations and methods to getting the results we want. We work with your pet to find a routine they are comfortable with, which will get us the best possible outcomes.

Rehabilitation services in pets carry the same benefits as physical therapy does for humans. Rehab can get your pet back to full strength faster, minimizing long term negative effects as well as protecting other areas of the body from compensatory issues. Rehab also prioritized the elimination of pain, so your pet gets comfortable faster and hopefully uses less pain medication overall.

At Urban Paw, we like to take the hassle out of caring for your pet. Once we have an established relationship with you and your pet, we move to in-hospital appointments. This means you leave your baby in our care for anywhere from 1 hour to all day, depending on what services are needed. This allows us to provide the highest level of care, taking breaks when your pet needs a break, running lab work, and creating a personalized treatment plan based on results all before you take your pet home. Comprehensive healthcare can be provided to your pet while you are not stuck waiting in an exam room. It’s a win-win!

The vaccine schedule for your pet will be based on a physical exam, complete history, and exposure risk analysis from a licensed veterinarian. Every pet is a bit different, and your doctor will be able to partner with you to decide what’s best. In general, flea/tick and heartworm preventions are recommended for all dogs and cats unless there is a specific medical condition that makes it unsafe.

Like everything else at Urban Paw, we want your first visit to be streamlined and enjoyable. Please fill out our online history form prior to your visit and stop at our check-in kiosk in the lobby when you arrive to check yourself in. Standard COVID-19 questions will be asked first, and your temperature will be taken to ensure everyone’s safety.