Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign my dog up for the T.A.P. program?
Send us a message via the “Contact Us” link. Let us know if you have any questions after reveiwing this page. We will answer questions and send back enrollment forms and available appointment dates.
How often will my dog need T.A.P. treatments?
After the initial veterinary exam, a patient has 9 visits in the first 3 months. Every 3 months after, there is a follow up veterinary exam and 2 visits per month for injections.
What results can I expect from T.A.P. therapies for my dog?
Individual response to therapy is highly variable depending on the degree of orthopedic disease we are faced with. In treating patients with mild arthritis, we often see clinical signs completely resolve. When we are treating animals with advanced disease, sometimes just slowing progression and keeping a patient walking is considered a success. Force plates are used to quantify results and are a valuable tool for measuring progression. However, the most important measurement is the overall assessment of a patient’s quality of life. Ultimately it is the owner or sometimes a dog walker who can best assess results. Most often, it is in the 3rd week of treatment when people report observing benefits.
Does the T.A.P. program provide veterinary care for anything other than osteoarthritis?
No. The T.A.P. program is focused specifically on doing everything possible to keep an arthritic dog mobile and pain free. A veterinarian will do basic blood work during the initial consult and a full physical exam every three months after. Any problems other than arthritis will be discussed and conveyed to your regular veterinarian. We rely greatly on referring veterinarians to provide non-arthritis related care. If you do not currently have a veterinarian, we will help you find one that is right for you and your dog.
Where is T.A.P. therapy provided?
Treatments and force plate measurements are done in San Francisco at the office of Golden Gate Veterinary Home Hospice in the outer Richmond District.
Does the T.A.P. program provide additional osteoarthritis therapies like cold laser, electrostimulation, acupuncture, aqua therapy or other advanced therapies?
No. The T.A.P. program is designed to provide the best core osteoarthritis therapies that are easily administered at the most affordable price. With severe cases of arthritis, some owners may elect to work with a veterinary specialist to provide additional therapies. We can coordinate with the local rehabilitation specialists and are always excited to see how much their treatments can help.
Are there any risks associated with any of the treatments used in the T.A.P. protocol?
All of the treatments used are very safe and unlikely to have any noticeable side effects. However, on occasion a patient may not tolerate any change in their dietary regimen. This may be due to an allergy or sensitivity to an ingredient in a supplement. Other times the addition of any oil in the diet may cause soft stool. In these cases we will work to find a suitable substitute for that component of the T.A.P. protocol. Both Adequan and LTCI are given by injection. In rare occasions an injection site reaction could occur causing a lump. However, this is true of anything administered with a needle. These events are unusual with the products used and typycly resolve within a week or two. Adequan is considered very safe after years of use in many species and LTCI has been given more than 200,000 times without any serious adverse effects reported.
What happens if I decide to discontinue T.A.P. treatments?
If an owner does not feel a patient is benefitting enough to continue the T.A.P. treatments, they can cancel at anytime after the first 3 months with 2 weeks notice. The first 3 months are more expensive because the cost of labs and more frequent loading doses of LTCI are included. Most of the treatments are given in the first month and the cost is bundled to spread it out over the first 3 months. Early withdrawal from the program before the end of the 3rd month results in an immediate charge to discontinue the service. Because most of the cost is generated in the first month of care, 70% of the cost for the first 3 months is charged if cancelled at the end of the first month. If cancelled at the end of the second month, 85% of the 3 month total is immediately charged.
What if my dog will not stand on the force plates, or he/she is too small?
Most dogs over 10 pounds will fit on the force plates. However, some dogs just too active, anxious, or tremble too much to get accurate measurements. The analyzer requires that a patient stand in a neutral position with the head at shoulder level for about 1.5 second to take a measurements. If your dog will not be still on the analyzer, we rely much more on the owner’s observations and assessment for determining progress.
Is there a certain age at which T.A.P. therapy should be started?
No. Individual animal may benefit at different ages for different reasons. Larger, shorter lived dog breeds need osteoarthritis treatment much earlier than small breeds. Other animals may have prior trauma or genetic issues that can lead to an earlier onset of chronic joint disease. If you are unsure, don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss your animal’s specific challenges.