Contact
New Bolton Center Kennett Square, PA
Emergencies & Appointments:
610-444-5800
Directions
Ryan Hospital Philadelphia, PA
Emergencies:
215-746-8911
Appointments:
215-746-8387
Directions
anesthesia-header2

Sports and Performance Medicine


The Penn Vet Canine Sports and Performance Medicine Service specializes in diagnosing and treating various canine mobility and performance-related conditions. We cater to dogs with diverse needs including working dogs, canine athletes, and companion dogs. Our service is here to provide your dog with lifelong comprehensive care for optimal mobility, quality of life, and athletic performance.

Conditions We Treat

We diagnose and treat canine patients with a variety of mobility disorders and fitness levels ranging from performance limitations and enhancement in working dogs and canine athletes to rehabilitation and pain management of osteoarthritis of all dogs.  Some of the conditions we commonly see include:

  • Types of Conditions
    • Lameness and mobility issues
    • Soft tissue (muscle, tendon, ligament) injury recovery
    • Post-operative return to functional movement
    • Osteoarthritis and pain management
    • Non-surgical orthopedic conditions (e.g.,. hip and elbow dysplasia, stifle disease)
    • Non-surgical neurologic conditions (e.g.,. spinal cord injury, lumbosacral disease)
    • Posture, balance, strength, and gait abnormalities or insufficiencies

Our Services

We diagnose, treat, and manage common conditions like lameness, soft tissue injuries, post-op recovery, osteoarthritis, orthopedic problems (e.g., hip and elbow dysplasia), and neurological issues (such as herniated discs or spinal cord injuries). It also addresses posture, balance, strength, and gait problems.

  • Services We Offer
    • Fitness assessments for pets, canine athletes, and working dogs
    • Occupational health assessments for working dogs
    • Pain management of musculoskeletal conditions
    • Canine athlete conditioning evaluation, and conditioning plan development
    • Lameness evaluation and treatment
    • Diagnostic imaging (e.g., radiographs, musculoskeletal ultrasound, CT, MRI)
    • Therapeutic exercises
    • Physical conditioning to return to sport or work

Our Care Team

Cynthia Otto, DVM, PhD, DACVEC, DACVSMR, CCRT
Service Chief, Sports and Performance Medicine
Professor, Sports Medicine and Working Dog Sciences
Executive Director of Penn Vet Working Dog Center
 
Meghan Ramos, VMD
Lecturer, Sports Medicine and Working Dog Sciences
Medical Director of Penn Vet Working Dog Center
 
Gretchen Powers, DVM, MS, CCRP
Resident, ACVSMR- canine

All Residents and Interns
 
Gail Morenzetti, CVT
Sports and Performance Medicine Nurse/Coordinator

More about Nursing

What to expect during your appointment

Your scheduled visit to the Sports and Performance Medicine Service begins with check in at the reception desk. If any diagnostic imaging is necessary, do not feed your pet in the morning before the appointment in the event that sedation is needed for imaging. You will be greeted in the waiting room by a member of our team and brought to a private examination room or to an outside area.

Your pet's history and a physical examination will be performed by either a student or technician, followed by further assessment by a resident or faculty member, and a full sports medicine (including orthopedic and soft tissue) examination. We may recommend further testing, and will discuss with you potential diagnosis, next steps, cost and logistics.

You may be asked to leave your pet in our care for certain tests or imaging if same day services are available. Depending on the outcome of the appointment we will discuss therapeutic options and help you choose the best course of treatment for you and your dog.

Getting Prepared for Your Visit

Read about what to expect from your visit.