Animal Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Speak to Priory Veterinary Group, for professional advice regarding rehabilitation options for your pet
Complementary Therapies
Complementary therapies such as animal physiotherapy, are now considered an important addition to medical and surgical management of many conditions, including osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, lumbosacral disease, soft tissue injuries, cruciate ligament disease and rehabilitation following surgery, or traumatic injury.
Animal Physiotherapy
We recommend, and work closely with Chartered Physiotherapists who have undergone extensive training in both human and animal physiotherapy techniques, and are closely regulated by the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (A.C.P.A.T.)
Chartered Physiotherapists have thorough training in anatomy, biomechanics, physiology and pathology, which enables them to perform various techniques to restore and maintain mobility and function. These include joint and soft tissue mobilisation and manipulation, and electrotherapy, e.g. Ultrasound, laser, and muscle stimulators. Not only will they fully assess your pet to ensure only appropriate techniques are utilised, they will also advise on exercises that you can perform with your pet at home, to get the optimal results.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy helps to strengthen your pet’s muscles. The water provides resistance to work the muscles effectively whilst supporting their body weight, therefore reducing the load on their joints. Hydrotherapy is especially useful to build muscle, following surgery or traumatic injury. It can also improve overall fitness, and work wonders as part of a complete weight-loss program, in addition to being a fun activity in a safe environment, for dogs who enjoy a swim!
It is important to note that the treatment of animals should only be performed with the permission of a Registered Veterinary Surgeon, under the Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order 2015. This means that all practitioners offering complementary therapies should be seeking referral from your vet prior to starting treatment. This is especially important so that we can give information on any medications or concurrent health concerns which may affect their treatment. Unfortunately, this market is not well regulated, and inappropriate treatments performed by unsuitably trained persons can do more harm than good. We work closely with a small number of certified practitioners, who we are confident can provide excellent standards of care for our patients.
Contact Us For Further Information
If you would like to discuss how complementary therapies may be introduced to optimise the management of your pet’s condition, please contact us for an appointment with one of our vets. They will be able to advise you on the best options for your pet, and help refer you to an appropriate practitioner/facility.