Canine Services

Dogs

Physiotherapy can beneficial to all dogs both working and pets.  Examples of benefits include:
  • Maintaining mobility and suppleness in older dogs to reduce stiffness and pain to enhance quality of life
  • Aid healing, reduce pain and inflammation following injury or surgery to assist recovery with the aim of returning your dog to full health and fitness
  • Assisting in gait re-education in chronic conditions 
  • Improving strength, suppleness and performance in competition dogs as well as maintaining performance longer term
Conditions that may benefit from physiotherapy include:
  • Osteoarthritis/stiffness 
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia 
  • Cruciate injuries - conservative management and post-surgery 
  • Luxating patella
  • Neurological conditions 
  • Fractures
  • Wounds
  • Muscular strains/tears/atrophy
  • Neck/back pain
Reduced performance in competition dogs can also benefit from physiotherapy which can improve strength, mobility and flexibility, reduce any tension or stiffness and monitor any changes that could indicate an underlying issue.  Physiotherapy can help in the run up to a competition to enhance performance, after a competition to aid recovery and maintain health and wellbeing long term.

Signs that my dog may benefit from physiotherapy:
  • Stiffness after rest or exercise
  • Difficulty climbing the stairs or getting in/out of your car
  • Reluctance to work/exercise
  • Showing their age/slowing down 
Initial Treatments 

Before your dog's initial treatment, permission will be obtained from your Veterinary Surgeon, this can be done by us or by you using the consent form below.  Either way this permission is required prior to any treatment.  It is a legal requirement under Sections 19 and 20 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order 1962 to gain this permission prior to physiotherapy treatment. 

Initial treatment sessions are 75 minutes duration and include taking your dog's full history and any aims/objectives you may have,  a static, dynamic and a thorough palpation assessment to a identify any movement abnormalities, areas of tension/soreness, weaknesses and asymmetries and provides a baseline for any future visits.   

Following assessment a logical and thorough treatment plan will be devised including manual therapy and an individual remedial exercise plan devised to target any movement issues.  Manual therapies include massage techniques, myofascial release and stretches to relieve pain, tension and improve movement.  Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy is also available to provide pain relief, enhance healing (fantastic for fractures) and reduce swelling.  Any findings and the best way to proceed for you and your dog will be discussed with yourself and any involved professionals including your Vet to provide the best possible programme, a holistic approach and a successful return to function.   

You will receive a report containing details on any findings, treatment and exercises prescribed and follow-up advice will be available as required. Depending on your dog, the type of problem and how well they respond to the initial treatment will dictate if, when and how many follow-up sessions will be required.  

Follow-Up Treatments

 A follow-up treatment is 60 minutes duration and involves the same process as an initial but as you and your dog's details will be known it will be catching up on progress and any changes in circumstance or performance to ensure that progress is maintained.  

Treatment Charges

All treatments are charged at £40, if you are over 25 miles away from my base there may be a travel charge of £5 however, I will try to arrange my diary so that there are several clients in the same area to avoid this charge.

Photizo Vetcare Phototherapy Units

Strides VP now have Photizo Vetcare units available to hire. The Photizo Vetcare is an LED device that emits red and infrared light that penetrates the skin to stimulate energy production (and other metabolic processes) in targeted areas. Infrared light can create a healing effect and injured cells can actually be rejuvenated by light energy. Photizo Vetcare relieves pain, swelling, inflammation and stimulates healing. It can be used between physiotherapy sessions to help manage chronic issues or post-surgery / injury to aid recovery. The Vetcare unit is safe and easy to use, if you would like some more information about the unit or hiring one please email me. Hire charges start at £25/week and purchase price is £279 (any hire charges incurred will be deducted).
Consent Form
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