Dr JM Gatley-Roach
one woman team
Hi, I'm Margie.
I qualified in 1981 at Onderstepoort Faculty of Veterinary Sciences through the University of Pretoria and have been a veterinarian ever since.
After spending some years in 'mixed practice', involved in the care of companion and production animals, I decided to focus more on predominantly dogs and cats at Westville Veterinary hospital where I worked for 18 years. During this time I have obtained my Honours degree in Companion Animal Medicine and Clinical Pathology.
I am now based in Hilton, near Pietermaritzburg in Kwazulu Natal, where I'm currently employed as a full time veterinarian at Umgeni Veterinary Clinic - here I've developed an interest in avian care (to look after your feathery friends). I am also involved in wild animal rehabilitation through Free Me and offer my services on a pro bono basis. Through seeing avian patients, I have become interested in raptor medicine and have been involved in the care of some of the residents at the African Bird of Prey Sanctuary on the Umlaas road near Pietermarizburg. I have also managed to complete a Masters Degree in Veterinary tropical diseases during this time - which I find very applicable to practising veterinary health care in South Africa.
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I have recently expanded my scope of practice and obtained a Certificate in Canine Rehabilitation Practice (CCRP) to become a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner. This qualification, together with my other degrees allow me to DIAGNOSE and GIVE THERAPY to your pet.
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IS YOUR DOG A CANDIDATE FOR REHABILITATION?
YES YES YES!!!
GENERAL - ALL animals with disease may benefit from rehabilitation in one form or another.
POST SURGERY - Rehabilitation after a surgical procedure is critical as it improves the surgical outcome and enables the pet to regain strength and movement and reduce post operative pain.
JOINT DISEASE - Animals with arthritis and age related joint disease are prime candidates for rehabilitation therapy. There are many interventions that can improve their lives. This holds true for animals with congenital joint disease such as hip or elbow dysplasia.
SOFT TISSUE INJURY - Strains or tears of the muscles, tendons and ligaments can benefit from rehabilitation to aid healing and preventing the formation of chronic problems
SPINAL DISEASE - Aminals can develop a variety of spinal conditions which may or may not require surgery. These conditions can vary from total paralysis to weakness and sensory impairments but all of them can benefit from rehabilitation intervention.
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Our Services
PHYSICAL REHABILITATION
Including exercise, joint mobilization, therapeutic stretches and massage.
ELECTRO-STIMULATION
Electrical Stimulation in rehabilitation involves both neuro-muscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
NMES is used most commonly for muscle strengthening particularly in cases where animals are unable to voluntarily contract their muscles eg. dogs with spinal disease.
TENS is used most commonly for pain relief often post operatively.
THERAPEUTIC ULTRASOUND
Therapeutic ultrasound uses sound waves as a treatment modality. As the sound waves move through the tissues energy is absorbed. There are two effects of therapeutic ultrasound The first is its ability to heat tissues. It can be used to heat tissue to depths greater than can be achieved with superficial heating agents. Heating results in increased blood flow to the affected area which helps improve healing and also improved extensibility of tissues. The main indications are for the treatment of scarring and contractures, subacute and chronic inflammation and pain.
A second effect is not related to heating but to the ebergy released by the sound waves. this effect is used to treat acute soft tissue injuries and peripheral nerve injuries.
AQUATIC/HYDROTHERAPY
The use of hydrotherapy relies on the fact that the buoyancy of water allows the pet to exercise without placing a lot of stress on the legs and joints. It is a useful modalitiy of animals with spinal disease that are unable to support themselves allowing them to "stand" while being supported by the water. It is also useful for elderly arthritic dogs that cannot cope with long distance walking and running to help them maintian cardiovascular fitness and joint movoment while being supported by the water.
LASER THERAPY
Laser therapy uses light of a wavelength that can penetrate tissue to various depths. Laser can be used to treat superficial wounds but as regards rehabilitation it us used to treat sprains and strains as well as muscle injuries, inflammation arthritis and is thought to help with healing of spinal cord and nerve injuries.
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rates
depends a lot on your pet and its condition....
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useful links
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CONTACT US
Interested in what we can do for your pet? Fill in the contact sheet below, or alternatively, contact me directly on:
Dr Margie
hiltonanimalrehab@gmail.com
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