About Animal Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy can help with a wide range of conditions, including:

• Joint problems such as degenerative joint disease; elbow and hip dysplasia, injury, pain/swelling/stiffness
• Post operative rehabilitation including stifle or hip surgery
• Soft tissue injuries including muscle, ligament or tendon tears
• Spinal problems such as disc disease or post surgery
• Neurological conditions
• Post fracture to facilitate healing and restore function
• Sports Injuries
• Performance problems in working or competition animals

Physiotherapy is widely used in the human field to treat orthopaedic and neurological conditions, and help people to recover after surgery. Physiotherapy for animals is very similar. In fact, physiotherapy can be used for any condition which leads to pain, reduced movement at joints, loss of muscle strength, reduced function and fitness and loss of normal movement patterns.

Physiotherapy uses physical agents to help heal tissues and return the patient back to normal function. A full assessment of each patient is done before any treatment can take place. The types of treatments that can be used by a physiotherapist include manual therapies, electrotherapies, gait re-education, and exercise and rehabilitation programmes to improve strength, range of movement, fitness and proprioception. Physiotherapy also includes advice and education relevant to the condition being treated.