Patient Spotlight: Sparkle
Sparkle was found in the street paralyzed in her hind limbs from a T2 fracture and unable to urinate or defecate on her own, likely from being hit by a car. Sparkle is now able to use her litter box on her own, and as you can see in the video, is now picking up her hind legs instead of dragging them. Her left hind limb has a delay in the advancement and continues to knuckle a bit (not placing her paw on the ground properly), but she has come a long way and we think will continue to improve. 

We have been working on Sparkle’s proprioception (knowing where her foot is in relation to her body), strength and improving her mobility. She stole the heart of the person who rescued her and will steal your heart too!

For cats who don’t do well in the gym with the dogs, we have separate cat rooms and also do home visits.
Service Spotlight: Underwater Treadmill
At BARC we use the underwater treadmill as a form of hydrotherapy for dogs and even cats! The difference between swimming and underwater treadmill is that in swimming the dogs are unable to touch the floor and are only keeping themselves above water via “dog paddle” or with the use of a life jacket. In the underwater treadmill the dog is standing in a tank where the floor is a treadmill and the warm water comes in from the bottom and fills up to a level determined by our physical therapists based on the pet’s issue. Therefore, in the underwater treadmill the dog will be walking “which is what they do on land” so it more mimics real life functioning. The water level will help determine how much the pet will be weight-bearing based on the buoyancy factor, the higher the water the less weight on the limbs. As needed, we can increase the weight bearing amount by lowering the water as they improve and become more comfortable and willing to use the limb. The water level can also be used to add resistance to the pet, think of yourself walking in chest deep water, which can help with strengthening.

For our patients that have neurological issues and are trying to re-learn how to walk and pattern their back feet correctly we will often get in the tank with them to assist. The use of the underwater treadmill can help us control the speed of their front limbs thus giving their back limbs time to “catch up” and re-train their brain as to correct timing of walking. 

We use the underwater treadmill to assist pets with weight loss, injury, post-operative recovery, gait training, and overall health and wellness. And while the underwater treadmill is a great rehabilitation tool it is not appropriate for every pet and we do not use it if a pet is painful. A thorough evaluation by a rehabilitation specialist will determine if and when the underwater treadmill is appropriate for your pet.

Contact us at (310) 542-2727 if you have any questions about our underwater treadmill therapy. 
Get To Know Kim Minami - Rehab Assistant

Where are you from? I was born and raised in Torrance, Ca.
What do you like to do when not at work? I like to be outside: biking, fishing, hiking, camping, and Disneyland.
Favorite color?  Blue and black
Favorite food?  Korean BBQ
What got you interested in working in rehab?  I have a 12 year-old Corgi named "Rocky" who was diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy. He has been receiving treatment at BARC for the last year and a half which has helped him live a more comfortable life. I want to help share that same care and comfort with other furry friends.
What is a fun fact about yourself?  I collect Starbucks mugs from all the states and countries I've visited thus far, as well as theme park popcorn buckets and different versions of the Monopoly board game.
Have you been on any fun or unusual vacation spots? I really enjoy traveling and have driven across the U.S. and back twice (one time in a tiny Smart Car). Now, I'm setting my sights on exploring the world and have already crossed off Canada, Thailand, South Korea, and Japan. I am currently planning another trip to Japan, in hopes to trace my family roots. 
Dr. Elizabeth Craig, DVM, CVA, CCRT
Ouch, My Back Hurts!!

Neck and back pain, unfortunately, is a common issue we see in our pets. Signs of this are many and can be confusing. Some animals seem to have lost their appetites as it becomes painful for them to lower their heads to eat/drink. Some animals slow down and want to smell or sit while out on their usual walks. They may also have difficulty or hesitate to go up or down the stairs. Others will wave problems with moving or start dragging their feet. You may find them struggling to stand or slipping on the floors. These issues can signal a spinal cord injury that can happen suddenly or accumulate over time. The most common cause of back or neck issues is related to the intervertebral disc. The only way to determine specifically, what you are dealing with when any spinal cord issue requires an MRI or CT scan as nerves cannot be seen with an xray. A veterinarian is needed to... read more
In Loving Memory... 
Axel
Baloo
Bayou
Beaux
Bonnie
Bud
Clover
Cody
Conner
Daffy
Dakota
Domino
Ellie
Ginger
Huckleberry
Kacey
Li On Van
Lilly
Matty
Morris
Murphy
Napoleon
Pearchick
Poet
Shorty
Stanley
Suzie
Tucker
Vader
Connect with us!
Beach Animal Rehabilitation Center | PH: 310-542-2727 | Fax:310-542-2726 admin@beachanimalrehab.com | www.beachanimalrehab.com