Abstract: This retrospective cohort study using electronic questionnaires compared the perioperative complication rates of tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery and the 8-week, 6-month, and 1-year functional outcomes, between rehabilitation and traditional post-operative management. Dogs were placed into 1 of 2 cohort groups based on attending veterinarian’s selected management: i) “traditional” involving restriction to cage rest and leash walking, and ii) “rehabilitation” performed by a certified practitioner. There was no statistically significant difference in complication rates in the perioperative period between the 2 treatment cohorts (P . 0.1). The rehabilitation group was 1.9 times more likely to reach full function at 8 wk (P = 0.045). Conversely, the traditional group was 2.9 times more likely be categorized as having unacceptable function at 8 wk after surgery (P = 0.05). This study suggests that rehabilitation performed by a certified practitioner is safe and may improve short-term outcomes when used in the initial postoperative management for dogs treated with TPLO.

Authored: Laura S. Romano, James L. Cook

Published: Can Vet J 2015;56:942–946

Objective Abstract: Introduction: The past decade has witnessed heightened public interest in complementary and alternative veterinary therapies. Veterinary chiropractic, employed by veterinarians and chiropractors alike, is part of this emerging trend toward integration of complementary medicine with the practice of conventional animal health care.

Authored: Laura L. Taylor, Laura Romano

Published: Can Vet J Volume 40, October 1999