What is Veterinary Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is used complementary to veterinary care and is commonly implemented to maximise comfort, quality of life and function; whether the animal is recovering injury or surgery, in need of palliative or conservative care, or a performance athlete.

Here at PhysioVet we are passionate about ‘proven practice’ and only utilise therapies and modalities that are backed by scientific research. Following patient assessment, a treatment plan consisting of electrotherapies, manual therapies and remedial exercises is formed based on the animal’s individual need.

“Helping each animal be the happiest & healthiest version of themselves”

We know how much your animal means to you which is why it’s so important to know who will be treating your pet & that they have they correct qualification & accreditations to do so safely, effectively & legally.

What our clients have to say

  • TULULA

    I could easily write a thousand words but nothing could ever describe my sheer gratitude to Emily and every thing she does. My little Tulula started seeing Emily around 2 and a half years ago, throughout a worrisome diagnosis. Emily has been such a bright light in the dark, not only treating our princess but being there to support us as well. Tulula would get so excited every visit as soon as she heard Emily's car pull up, and she really LOVED the sessions (we all did) and the difference in her was so visible. I am so thankful for Emily and her profession, and I am so glad we were fortunate enough to find someone so fantastic to treat our baby. I will forever recommend Emily to every body, and I truly believe because of Emily and her care and support we got to love our princess for so much longer. Thank you so much for everything xx

  • NANCY

    My dog has been so much more comfortable and happier after her sessions with Emily. She has hip dysplasia and used to chew the area around her hips. Thanks to Emily this has stopped and she is walking so much better! Thank you Emily for your help!

  • MOJO

    Emily helped us rehabilitate our dog following TPLO. She is professional, kind, knowledgable and showed our little lady so much love following her injury. We are grateful for her support and couldn’t recommend her enough. Thank you Emily!

  • HARLEY-QUINN

    EVERYTHING IS A HIGHLIGHT!

    Emily is an absolute angel on this earth. The sweetest human who truly love and care about every animal she helps.

    We can’t thank her enough for getting our pup on her feet. She has a long road to recovery, but seeing her mobile is a huge relief.

    Emily EXCELS in Physiotherapy and has shown us great exercises to continue to incorporate into our pups routine to promote her health.

    You will not go wrong with this fabulous lady and her services!

  • KEV

    Kev suffered IVDD earlier this year and had urgent spinal surgery. When he came home he was in such a sorry state, in a lot of pain and unable to stand on his back legs. We were recommended Emily via a friend and we cannot sing her praises enough! We noticed an instant improvement following our first appointment and after a couple of months of physio he is now back WALKING like nothing ever happened. Kev isn’t very fond of people but he absolutely adores Emily which says it all.. we say ‘Emily is coming today’ and he will be sat waiting by the door! Thank you Emily for all your help and giving our boy his life back.

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Pet Owners

How can we we help your best friend? We work with integrity to find the best treatment options for your pet, helping them lead a pain-free, functional life.

Vets & Allied Professionals

We only practice with veterinary consent, working in partnership with referring vets to ensure a multi-modal care approach & a seamless extension of the services you offer to your patients.

Rehabilitation Post Injury or Surgery

Post-operative care is just as important as the surgery itself! Research has shown inadequate rehabilitation following surgery a significant contributor to surgical failure. Physiotherapy treatments will vary depending on the surgery type, injury severity & a patients individual needs.

Pre-Habilitation & Maintenance

Prevention is always better than cure! All animals can benefit from regular maintenance physiotherapy, aiming to maximise general wellbeing & comfort whilst preventing musculoskeletal dysfunction. However, Pre-habilitation is popular with working & sporting animals. The musculoskeletal systems of these animals is frequently exposed to abnormal/excessive stress & strain, therefore prone to injury. Physiotherapy helps manage stresses & strains, reducing their impact & optimising performance.

Conservative & Palliative Care

Physiotherapy is a great addition to veterinary & medical care to aid with the management of long-term, lifelong conditions such as osteoarthritis & degenerative joint disease. Furthermore, surgery to correct musculoskeletal issues may not be appropriate in some patients for varying reasons, physiotherapy helps to manage these conservatively.

Why is Physiotherapy needed?

    • Relieve pain

    • Restore normal function

    • Reduce secondary compensations

    • Optimise healing

    • Re-educate gait/posture

    • Strengthen weakened areas

    • Prevent re-injury

  • Whilst discipline and patient specific, pre-habilitation generally aims to:

    • Build strength & fitness

    • Maintain/maximise joint movement

    • Manage musculoskeletal compensations/fatigue

    • Prevent injury

    • Optimise performance

    • Relieve pain & discomfort

    • Maintain movement

    • Maintain co-ordination & proprioception

    • Strengthening weakened areas

    • Manage compensations

    • Optimising comfort & quality of life

What conditions benefit from Physiotherapy?

    • Osteoarthritis

    • Osteochondritis Dissecans

    • Soft tissue injuries

    • Muscle wastage & weakness

    • Tenosynovitis/Tendinitis

    • Ligament injuries

    • Suspensory injuries

    • Navicular Syndrome

    • Fractures

    • Overriding Dorsal Spinal Processes (Kissing Spines)

    • Back pain

    • Sacroiliac Dysfunction

    • Cervical Spondylomyelopathy (Wobblers Syndrome)

    • Neurological deficits

    • Suprascapular Neuropathy (Sweeney)

    • Upward Fixation of the Patella

    • Carpal Hyperextension

    • Bicipital Tenosynovitis

    • Elbow Dysplasia

    • Medial Shoulder Instability

    • Hip Dysplasia

    • Cranial Cruciate Disease

    • Patella Luxation

    • Osteoarthritis

    • Degenerative Joint Disease

    • Osteochondritis Dissecans

    • Fractures

    • Amputation

    • Soft tissue injuries

    • Muscle wastage & weakness

    • Fibrotic Myopathy

    • Cervical Spondylomyelopathy (Wobblers Syndrome)

    • Fibrocartilaginous Embolism

    • Degenerative Myelopathy

    • Intervertebral Disc Disease

    • Lumbosacral Disease

    • Spondylosis

    • Vestibular Disease

    • Neurological deficits

“My animal has no diagnosed conditions, how do I know if they need Physiotherapy?””

Many animals are stoic, presenting only subtle signs of weakness, pain or injury. Even following an apparent injury or surgery, animals are often very good at hiding just how much they are struggling. Generally, the most common sign an animal needs physiotherapy is change. Perhaps a change in their behaviour or mood, an aversion to being touched over a certain part of their body. Are they reluctant to exercise or struggling with activities they used to be able to do with ease.

  • 1. A lack of ridden progression

    2. Contact issues

    3. Poor transitions

    4. Disunited canter

    5. Lack of hindlimb engagement

    6. Bucking, napping or rearing

    7. Reluctance/discomfort when being groomed, tacked or rugged

    8. Head tilt

    9. Unable /reluctant to stand square

    10. Stiffness following exercise/rest

    11. Uneven wearing of shoes/hooves

  • 1. Unable/reluctant to stand square

    2. Uneven sit

    3. Excessive licking/chewing to a certain part of their body

    4. Reluctance/discomfort to being groomed

    5. Difficulty jumping in/out of the car, on/off sofa, or going up/down stairs

    6. Difficulty/reluctance to walk over certain surfaces, i.e., tiles

    7. Reluctance to engage in play

    8. Reluctance to exercise, sitting down on walks or wanting to turn back early

    9. Stiffness following exercise/rest

    10. Uneven wearing of nails

“Get them back to being themselves!”

Could your animal benefit from physiotherapy? Contact Emily today.