Services

Veterinary Physiotherapy is a non-invasive approach to treating a range of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, it is recognised for its effectiveness in restoring and maintaining mobility, function and performance.

Treatment is most effective in the initial stages after injury, illness or surgery, therefore improved recovery and restorative function can be enhanced by early referral.

Every animal has individual needs, different lifestyles, environments and personalities. Therefore, I provide individually tailored treatment plans, based around your animals’ specific needs. I provide a bespoke service which aims to reduce pain, restore mobility and function, accelerate healing and return patients to their optimal function. All of this is carried out within your animal’s own environment at home, this insures they are comfortable and at ease during treatment.

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Why your animal may benefit from Physiotherapy?

Patients can display signs quickly following an injury or there may be a slow deterioration over time depending on the condition/injury. Common signs which could indicate a patient may benefit from treatment include:

Irregular posture or gait.
Lame or limping (possible stumbling frequently)
Changes in behaviour, isolating themselves or showing anxiety/fearful behaviour, sleeping more.
Showing signs of stiffness after exercise or when rising from rest.
Reduction in play.
Reluctance or refusing to go for walks or slowing down.
Struggling with steps or stairs.

Finding daily activities hard such as jumping on and off the sofa, out of the car etc...
Unwillingness to be groomed.
Twitching skin or tickly spot when touched, dislike of being touched in a certain area.
Muscle asymmetry.
Toe dragging.
Excessive tail swishing or head shaking.

What conditions can benefit from veterinary physiotherapy?

Multiple conditions can benefit from physiotherapy, whether your animal has a diagnosed condition, has been displaying behavioural changes or to include conservative management and post-surgery rehabilitation.

Arthritis/ Osteoarthritis
Cranial Cruciate Disease
Degenerative Myelopathy
Degenerative Joint Disease
Elbow Dysplasia
Fractures
Gait re- education
Hip Dysplasia
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
Muscle, ligament and tendon injuries

Neurological (nerve) conditions
Obesity
Osteochondritis Dissecans
Patella Luxation
Post surgery rehabilitation & wound management
Rebalancing
Shoulder Instability
Softening Scar tissue
Spinal Cord Injury
Spondylosis

*If you are unsure whether your dog would benefit from physiotherapy, please get in touch to discuss this.

What does a physiotherapy appointment involve?

Treatments are carried out within your own home to allow your pet to be treated in the comfort of its own environment. At the initial consultation, it is vital that your pet is relaxed and comfortable and that we get to know each other. Physiotherapy appointments begin with an assessment to enable me to set goals for treatment. This consists of discussing relevant clinical history, your pet’s daily routine and management. I will then conduct a static assessment, observing your animal's posture, conformation and symmetry. Next a dynamic assessment involving the way your animal moves (gait analysis). This is then followed by palpation (muscle/soft tissue palpation) and range of motion assessment. This will help to identify any movement abnormalities, weaknesses, asymmetries and areas of tension and soreness.

Treatment

Your animal will have an individual treatment plan specialised to their needs. Physiotherapy will be provided using a combination of the following therapies and modalities, appropriate to their condition.

Manual therapy
Soft tissue massage
Passive range of movement (PROM) stretches to improve flexibility and co-ordination
Joint mobilisations
Myofascial release
Trigger Point Therapy
Neuromuscular techniques
Fitness, Conditioning and Therapeutic Exercise (Strength, balance, flexibility, proprioception & gait re-education)
Heat therapy and cold therapy
Remedial exercises, such as pole work and dynamic and static exercises

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF)
Therapeutic Ultrasound (1 and 3 MHz)
Photobiomodulation and LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) Class 3B Laser
Photizo – infrared light therapy
Optimus Therapy Lumina – infrared and blue light therapy
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Therapy (NMES)

Home Exercise Plan

As well as treating your animal, I will make recommendations for their environment and after care, to ensure the best possible recovery post injury or while managing a chronic condition. I will create an exercise plan tailored to your animal’s specific requirements with therapeutic exercises. These therapeutic exercises will be demonstrated to you, for you to carry out at home with your animal before your next treatment session.

*Veterinary physiotherapy is mainly used to treat dogs and horses; however, I regularly treat cats and other animals too. Please enquire if you would like any further information.