Benefits
Veterinary Physiotherapy can assist animals in many ways. The main focus for the Physiotherapist is to ...
- Reduce pain
- Prevent muscle atrophy
- Reduce restrictive scar tissue
- Improve circulation
- Normalise gait patterning
- Strengthen core stability
- Reduce risk of future injury
- Increase fitness & co-ordination
Conditions assisted by Physiotherapy
Veterinary Physiotherapy is not an alternative, but a complementary treatment to your animal's overall veterinary care. Only your vet surgeon can legally diagnose an animal's condition, and provide medical and surgical treatment, with their supplementary advice.
The Physiotherapist is often referred to following surgery or an injury of neurological or orthopaedic origin. Any condition which affects the animal's normal gait, causing compensatory movements or a change in co-ordination, may be assisted with Physiotherapy care and advice.
Common small animal surgeries include:
This list is not exhaustive. There may be good reason for physiotherapy treatment prior to surgery for reasons of comfort, maintenance of function, and muscle conditioning. Post operatively, the body can directed towards functional restoration of the tissues while the surgery is still at its acute stage. At this time, the effect is greater on scar tissue formation, nerve stimulation & compensatory gait formation. Ask for a referral prior to surgery, so the physiotherapy is arranged to make these differences in recovery.
Other conditions helped with Physiotherapy include:
Some conditions become apparent when very young (eg. hip dysplasia), while others develop over time. Early diagnosis and management treatment can slow degeneration of the joints and tissues. Once the owners know how to manage the condition, the animal is more likely to avoid injury and pain. Body conditioning exercises may become part of the daily routine, and the physiotherapist will help to intergrate this into an easy lifestyle adaptation.
Common equine causes for referring to a Physiotherapist include:
The physiotherapist may seek assistance on a case with the vet surgeon, farrier and saddle fitter. Working together as a team can be necessary in achieving a positive outcome for the horse or pony.
The Physiotherapist is often referred to following surgery or an injury of neurological or orthopaedic origin. Any condition which affects the animal's normal gait, causing compensatory movements or a change in co-ordination, may be assisted with Physiotherapy care and advice.
Common small animal surgeries include:
- Ligament tear or full rupture
- Tendon strain or full rupture
- Luxating patella
- Fracture repair
- Spinal disc protrusion or extrusion
This list is not exhaustive. There may be good reason for physiotherapy treatment prior to surgery for reasons of comfort, maintenance of function, and muscle conditioning. Post operatively, the body can directed towards functional restoration of the tissues while the surgery is still at its acute stage. At this time, the effect is greater on scar tissue formation, nerve stimulation & compensatory gait formation. Ask for a referral prior to surgery, so the physiotherapy is arranged to make these differences in recovery.
Other conditions helped with Physiotherapy include:
- Arthritis
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Cruciate disease
- Muscular spasms
- Wobblers
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Paralysis
Some conditions become apparent when very young (eg. hip dysplasia), while others develop over time. Early diagnosis and management treatment can slow degeneration of the joints and tissues. Once the owners know how to manage the condition, the animal is more likely to avoid injury and pain. Body conditioning exercises may become part of the daily routine, and the physiotherapist will help to intergrate this into an easy lifestyle adaptation.
Common equine causes for referring to a Physiotherapist include:
- Soft tissue injury (skin, muscle, tendon, ligament, joint capsule)
- Joint injury (arthritis, navicular syndrome, sprains, splints)
- Back pain
- Stiffness or lack of going forward
- Tendon damage
- Gait transition difficulty
- Physical imbalance
- Bruising or tissue swelling
- Muscle tightness or weakness
The physiotherapist may seek assistance on a case with the vet surgeon, farrier and saddle fitter. Working together as a team can be necessary in achieving a positive outcome for the horse or pony.
