OrthoPets Japan
Dr. Takayuki Kobayashi, DVM PhD DJCVS CCRP
Animal Clinic Kobayashi
Address: 715-1 Sakai, Fukaya, Saitama 366-0813, Japan
Phone: +81 48-573-1906
Website: www.ackobayashi.com
Dr. Takayuki Kobayashi has been attracted to bone and joint surgery since he was a resident. His supervisor, Prof. Pierre Montabon at University of Zurich in Switzerland, trained him in a broad array of subjects from basics to artificial joint surgery in clinical orthopedic practice. Currently, Dr. Kobayashi works as an orthopedic surgeon covering areas including arthroscopic surgery, ultrasound diagnosis of musculoskeletal system, artificial joint surgery, joint malalignment, complicated bone fracture, regenerative medicine, and arthritis. Yet, as mentioned in “Complication” by Dr. Atul Gawande, diverse issues take place in everyday clinical practice. Thus, Dr. Kobayashi realized how rehabilitation is important to provide better medical treatment and built up his knowledgebase through education by Dr. Van Dyke at CRI (Canine Rehabilitation Group) and Drs. Canapp at VOSM (Veterinary Orthopedic Sports Medicine Group). Dr. Kobayashi quickly realized that, although surgery used to be the only approach, it is not always appropriate based on a patient’s advanced age, chronic disease, or owner’s desires.
While visiting a friend at Colorado State University, Dr. Kobayashi was stunned when Dr. Felix Duerr showed him a patient diagnosed with a cranial cruciate ligament rupture and was utilizing an orthotic rather than undergoing surgery. Dr. Kobayashi then went to OrthoPets and met Martin and Amy Kaufmann, founder and CEO of OrthoPets respectively, who explained the concept of animal orthotics and prosthetics. Armed with the knowledge and know-how, Dr. Kobayashi was very eager to introduce OrthoPets-designed orthotics and prosthetics to Japan.
Currently, Dr. Kobayashi has a team in charge of OrthoPets Japan, composed of two veterinarians, one of whom is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist, and two physical therapists, one of whom is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist. His team has applied OrthoPets devices to a number of cases and has received positive feedback from owners that their pets were back to enjoying their lives and were happy again. Dr. Kobayashi and his team continue to work on their knowledge of adjustments, repairs, rehabilitation, and application of prosthetics and hope to continue to educate their clients.
