Injury Rehabilitation and Veterinary Physiotherapy
Speak to us, for professional advice regarding rehabilitation & veterinary physiotherapy options for your pet
Rehabilitation and Veterinary Physiotherapy
Priory is delighted to collaborate with vet Jane Oatley to offer a comprehensive service dedicated to injury rehabilitation and veterinary physiotherapy. This specialised service is designed for pets who would benefit from a higher-level of expertise to optimise the management of their condition, ultimately enhancing their overall quality of life.
Jane is an Advanced Practitioner in small animal orthopaedics and certified canine rehabilitation therapist. She has a special interest in sports injury rehabilitation and pain management and is experienced in working-up and managing challenging lameness cases from those with chronic pain associated with degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis to more subtle, performance-limiting injuries in agility and working dogs. She has undergone further training in performance dog rehabilitation including the use of musculoskeletal ultrasonography, western acupuncture and laser treatment as well as working closely with local physiotherapists to provide a truly holistic approach to pain management for pets.
Complementary Therapies
Complementary therapies such as veterinary physiotherapy, laser, acupuncture and hydrotherapy, 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.
Veterinary Physiotherapy
Acupuncture
Acupuncture entails the precise insertion of thin needles into specific anatomical points. This acts via the central nervous system, resulting in the release of endorphins and modulation of neural pathways. In small animal veterinary medicine, acupuncture is often integrated as a complementary therapy, particularly in cases of arthritis, musculoskeletal pain, and neurological disorders. This holistic approach aims to optimise physiological balance and potentially reduce reliance on pharmacological interventions. Prior to starting acupuncture, we recommend a thorough consultation with Jane to ascertain the appropriateness and potential efficacy of incorporating acupuncture within the overall treatment plan for your pet.
Laser
Lasers are increasingly employed to alleviate pain in pets by stimulating cellular activity, reducing inflammation, and promoting tissue repair. This non-invasive approach can be particularly beneficial for chronic conditions like arthritis or acute injuries as part of an overall pain management strategy. Laser therapy sessions are typically quick, painless, and well-tolerated by animals, offering us a safe and effective option to enhance our patient’s quality of life.
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.