SMALL ANIMAL PHYSIOTHERAPY


Veterinary physiotherapy for small animals can aid recovery following injury or surgery, to manage pain, optimise healing and to regain range of motion, muscle balance and re-establish normal movement patterns. Physiotherapy can also help with the long-term management of musculoskeletal conditions, managing pain and inflammation, and maintaining range of motion, muscle support and co-ordination. Elderly patients could also benefit from regular physiotherapy to keep them comfortable and mobile in their older years. The musculoskeletal systems of athletic or working dogs are frequently subject to abnormal/ excessive strain and are therefore prone to injury. Physiotherapy can help manage the effects of these stresses and strains, identify issues earlier and optimise performance. However, all animals can benefit from regular musculoskeletal assessments and physiotherapy, to optimise general wellbeing and comfort and to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal dysfunction.

  • Rehabilitation following injury
    • Fractures
    • Soft tissue injuries
    • Neurological conditions
  • Post-surgical rehabilitation
    • Hip replacement
    • Cruciate ligament surgery Eg. TPLO
    • Spinal surgery Eg. Hemilaminectomy
  • Management of ongoing conditions
    • Osteoarthritis
  • Supporting elderly animals
  • Performance enhancement and maintenance for athletic and working animals
  • General wellness sessions

Common conditions that can benefit from physiotherapy include…

  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Cranial cruciate ligament injury
  • Patellar luxation
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Medial shoulder instability
  • Bicipital tenosynovitis
  • Intervertebral disc disease

What does a session involve?

Small animal sessions take place in your own home. For many animals, being in a familiar environment allows them to be more relaxed, allowing improved assessment and treatment. Please ensure there is a quiet area for your animal to be treated, away from other animals, children and any distractions. Appointments are approximately 1-hour.

Following a full clinical history, a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment will be performed. The assessment involves the evaluation of the posture, conformation and movement to identify areas of dysfunction. A thorough palpation will also be performed to identify areas of pain or tissue dysfunction, and range of motion assessments used to appraise joint health and function. Neurological and spinal assessments also allow more detailed evaluation and further inform the treatment plan.

A tailored treatment session, including manual therapy techniques and electrotherapeutic modalities, will then be performed. A home physiotherapy plan will also beformulated, and all exercises will be demonstrated to you at the end of the session. The home environment, including flooring will be discussed with the owner, to help optimise the management of your animal’s specific issues. You will be provided with a full report of the assessment and treatment, which will also provide details of the recommended exercises to be performed at home.

Is Veterinary Physiotherapy covered by insurance?

The majority of insurance companies provide policies that include veterinary physiotherapy cover. However, we recommend checking with your insurance provider to be sure.