Veterinary Physiotherapy
There are a large range of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions that can be treated with Veterinary Physiotherapy. These can include pre and post-surgical, or injury treatment, pain management, performance development and management of age-related issues such as arthritis. Veterinary Physiotherapy is non-invasive and uses a range of techniques as well as collaborating with other veterinary professionals to ensure an effective, tailor made treatment plan is put into place to accommodate your pets specific needs.
Which animals can benefit from Veterinary Physiotherapy?
Although the animals most commonly treated with Veterinary Physiotherapy are dogs and horses, a large variety of animals can benefit from treatment such as cats, rabbits, cows, sheep and other small and farm animals. For more information about how Veterinary Physiotherapy can help your dog or horse, please select from the buttons below. For additional information about physiotherapy treatments for other animals, please contact us here.
Treatment Techniques:
Massage
Massage is a great physiotherapy treatment and can be incorporated into every treatment plan regardless of the diagnosis. Gentle stroking, rubbing and kneading of the muscles and connective tissues increases the pliability of these tissues, as well as increasing blood and lymphatic flow, helping to reduce pain and inflammation. Massage is great as a treatment itself and both before and after exercise to warm up tissues and reduce post–exercise soreness.
Stretching
Stretching is beneficial in improving muscle and joint flexibility, increasing joint range of motion and reducing tension in tight muscles whilst also increasing their tensile strength which reduces the risk of injury. Contrary to popular belief, stretching is recommended to be performed after a period of exercise or massage to reduce the occurrence of post–exercise pain and to keep your animal flexible.
Passive Range of Motion (PROM)
PROM exercises involve moving a limb through its full range of motion without assistance from the animal, and are typically used in cases of recumbency, muscle inactivity and muscle atrophy to maintain the quality and function of joints and the flexibility of soft tissues.
Home Management Advice
It is important that we discuss you animal’s home/usual environment with you. This enables us to make suggestions on how the environment can be adapted in order to aid recovery and ensure the best possible rehabilitation plan for your animal. This may include medication and supplements, nutrition, exercise regime, their housing and more.
Home Exercise Programme
As part of your animal’s physiotherapy treatment plan, you may be prescribed some exercises and activities to do at home with your animal between physiotherapy appointments. These could include any combination of massages, stretches and exercises, all to speed up the rate of recovery and get your animal back to their normal selves sooner.
Remedial Exercises
Exercises are an important part of rehabilitation. Strengthening exercises challenge the animal’s muscle strength and balance through a range of activities, such as cavaletti rails, weaving, weight–shifting, stair climbing and sit–to–stands. Exercises also allow joints to move through their full range of motion and encourages the use and correct motion of all limbs, whilst also providing proprioceptive feedback.
A Veterinary Referral Form is required prior to any appointment or treatment taking place. We can send this to your vet directly or you can download a copy and return the completed version to us (at least 24 hours before your appointment).