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Mon & Thurs: 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM | Tues, Wed, Fri: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM | Sat & Sun: Closed

Pet Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine

Lake Anna Veterinary Hospital offers pet rehabilitation and sports medicine services for dogs and cats in Mineral, VA. Whether your pet is recovering from surgery, managing a chronic condition, or working to maintain peak performance, our team builds individualized plans to support their strength and mobility.

Movement Is Medicine

Active pets, working animals, and aging companions all have one thing in common—they depend on their bodies to live full, engaged lives. When pain, injury, or surgery gets in the way of that, the right rehabilitation plan can make a profound difference in how quickly and completely your pet recovers.

At Lake Anna Veterinary Hospital, our sports medicine and rehabilitation services combine evidence-informed therapies with individualized treatment planning. We assess each patient’s specific condition, goals, and physical capacity to build a program that works for them. Our team treats every pet—from agility competitors to senior dogs managing arthritis—with the same level of attentiveness and care.

Who Benefits from Pet Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine?

Our rehabilitation and sports medicine services are designed for a wide range of patients, including:

  • Working and sporting dogs, including agility competitors, hunting dogs, and performance animals
  • Pets recovering from surgery, including orthopedic and soft tissue procedures (learn more about our pet surgery)
  • Pets with orthopedic injuries, including ligament, tendon, and joint injuries
  • Senior pets managing arthritis, degenerative joint disease, or age-related mobility decline (learn more about our senior pet care)
  • Overweight pets who need safe, low-impact exercise options
  • Pets with chronic pain or inflammatory conditions affecting movement and quality of life
If your pet has recently had surgery or is managing a musculoskeletal condition, rehabilitation can be a valuable complement to conventional treatment. Our pet acupuncture and chiropractic care also pair well with rehabilitation to provide broader pain management support.

Our Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Treatments

Laser therapy

Our therapeutic laser delivers focused light energy deep into tissues to stimulate cell regeneration, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain. Laser therapy can accelerate healing of soft tissue injuries, support post-surgical recovery, and provide meaningful relief for pets with arthritis or chronic pain conditions. Learn more about our dedicated pet cold laser therapy services.

Shockwave therapy

Shockwave therapy uses targeted sound waves to promote healing and reduce pain in bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments. It stimulates blood flow and cellular repair, making it particularly effective for chronic conditions like osteoarthritis and tendon injuries. Shockwave therapy is non-invasive and well-tolerated by most patients.

Underwater treadmill

Our underwater treadmill combines the therapeutic benefits of hydrotherapy with controlled, guided exercise. The buoyancy of the water reduces stress on joints while still allowing your pet to build muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance. This makes it an ideal option for post-surgical patients, overweight pets, and animals with conditions that limit weight-bearing activity.

Land-based therapeutic exercises

Customized land-based exercise programs target specific muscle groups and movement patterns to improve strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility. These exercises are tailored to your pet’s individual condition and adjusted as they progress. They’re an effective tool for both recovery and injury prevention.

Joint injections

For pets with significant joint pain or inflammation, targeted joint injections can provide meaningful relief. Options include corticosteroids for inflammation management and hyaluronic acid to support joint lubrication and cushioning. Our team determines the most appropriate option based on your pet’s diagnosis and overall health.

Regenerative medicine—Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy uses concentrated platelets drawn from your pet’s own blood to support tissue regeneration and healing. PRP can accelerate recovery from ligament, tendon, and joint injuries while reducing inflammation through the body’s natural healing mechanisms. It’s particularly well suited for active pets or those recovering from orthopedic procedures.

How We Approach Treatment Planning

Every rehabilitation patient at Lake Anna Veterinary Hospital receives an individualized treatment plan. We begin with a thorough evaluation of your pet’s condition, medical history, and functional limitations. From there, we identify the combination of therapies most likely to support their specific recovery or performance goals.

Treatment plans are adjusted as your pet progresses. What works in the early stages of recovery often evolves as strength and mobility improve. Our team monitors each patient’s response closely and communicates with you throughout the process so you always know how your pet is doing.

When imaging is needed to inform a rehabilitation plan—particularly for orthopedic cases—our in-house pet digital imaging and VIMAGO CT scan capabilities allow us to evaluate your pet’s condition with precision before treatment begins.

FAQs About Pet Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine

How do I know if my pet needs rehabilitation?
If your pet has recently had orthopedic surgery, is recovering from an injury, has been diagnosed with arthritis or a degenerative joint condition, or is showing signs of pain or reduced mobility, rehabilitation may be beneficial. Your veterinarian will evaluate your pet and discuss whether a rehabilitation program is appropriate.
How long does a rehabilitation program last?
Program length varies depending on the condition being treated and how your pet responds. Some patients benefit from a short course of targeted therapy, while others—particularly those managing chronic conditions—benefit from ongoing maintenance care. We'll give you a realistic timeline at your initial evaluation.
Can older pets benefit from rehabilitation?
Absolutely. Senior pets with arthritis, degenerative joint disease, or age-related muscle loss can benefit significantly from rehabilitation and sports medicine services. Low-impact options like the underwater treadmill and laser therapy are particularly well suited for older animals.
Is rehabilitation only for dogs?
No. While many rehabilitation patients are dogs, cats can also benefit from certain therapies—particularly laser therapy, joint injections, and targeted exercise. Our team will assess your cat's individual needs and recommend appropriate options.

Helping Pets Move Better, Feel Better, and Live Better

Pet rehabilitation and sports medicine represent some of the most impactful care we offer at Lake Anna Veterinary Hospital. Whether we’re supporting a dog through post-surgical recovery or helping an older cat move more comfortably, our team brings the same level of commitment and individualized attention to every patient. For pets across the Lake Anna region dealing with pain, injury, or mobility challenges, we’re here to help them get back to living fully.

Veterinary Services

Pet Wellness & Preventative Care

Pet Dentistry
Pet Digital Imaging
Pet VIMAGO CT Scans
Pet Spays & Neuters
Pet Surgery

Senior Pet Care

Puppy & Kitten Care
Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine
Pet Acupuncture and Chiropractic Care
Pet Dermatology
Pet Behavioral Counseling
Pet Nutritional Counseling
Pet Cold Laser Therapy
Pet Internal Medicine