Veterinary Physiotherapy
Veterinary physiotherapy is a scientific treatment where the physiotherapist who has a Level 6 degree uses a functional assessment to determine a clinical treatment plan for the rehabilitation of your pet. This plan will involve hands on treatment from the physiotherapist as well as exercises on land, some of which you can do with your pet at home as well as a programme of treatment which may involve other modalities. Many pets have a session of physiotherapy initially and then a full treatment plan of laser or hydrotherapy or both.
Palpation
The veterinary physiotherapist will palpate and massage your dog or cat, identifying specific muscles or ligaments or joints with pain or discomfort to treat them.
Exercises on Land
The clinical treatment plan will involve exercises on land which the physiotherapist will teach your dog and some of them you can practice at home.
Specialist Land Exercise
Some exercises require specialist equipment where the physiotherapist will gradually teach your pet to try harder versions over a series of appointments.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy treatments can be swimming, static exercises and aquatic massage in the pool or walking in the treadmill with some static exercises. Some patient's treatment plan has alternate treatments between the pool and treadmill.
Treadmill Treatments
A hydrotherapy programme of treadmill treatment is particularly good pre or post surgery for building muscles and training effective use of all limbs for walking. This can also be used with dogs who are reactive so need to not be touched by the hydrotherapist.
Laser therapy
Some treatment plans will involve class IV laser therapy or this treatment for pain relief and healing. It accelerates the body's natural healing and reduces pain, inflammation and stiffness. It can also be given on it's own and we do human laser treatments too.