dog physio
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dog physio

Pet Physio

Physiotherapist lead referral centre for Hydrotherapy and Laser Therapy

 

At Oak Tree Vet Centre, we have a dedicated hydrotherapy suite connected to the main veterinary practice. Within this purpose built, air-conditioned  suite we have a heated 12-foot therapy swimming pool and underwater treadmill. Accessible steps, safety ramps, non-slip floors, hoists, life-jackets and fur-drying facilities are all provided for your pet to make their visit go swimmingly!

What happens at a Pet Physio?

Initial Consultation

Your pet’s current condition and abilities will be assessed by our qualified physiotherapist. They will structure an individual treatment plan tailored to your pet’s needs.

Treatment Sessions

A registered veterinary nurse will carry out your follow up sessions in accordance with your pets individual treatment plan.

Home Care

Your physiotherapist will discuss what you can do at home to aid your pet’s rehabilitation in between their sessions. These can be incorporated into your pet’s daily routine and may include;
• Massage techniques
• Range of movements
• Exercise adjustments
• Dietary advice
• Adaptations to your home

Meet our Physiotherapist

Rachel is a fully qualified physiotherapist and ACAPAT registered.

Her Initial consultation clinics are run on each Friday of the week.

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Physiotherapist

Frequently Asked Questions

Orthopaedic surgery, Arthritis, Spinal issues, Lamesness, Tendon and ligament injury, Muscle Wastage and Obesity.

During each hydrotherapy session almost every muscle of the anatomy is exercised whilst avoiding impact to joints and bones.

  • Encourages joint movement in reduced weight conditions.
  • Improves muscle tone
  • Promoting tendon repair without imposing undue stress on damaged tissue
  • Improving cardiovascular stamina
  • Reduces weight

Laser therapy is a non-invasive therapy used to treat a range of conditions from arthritis to surgical wounds.

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anti- pain (analgesic)
  • Accelerated tissue repair and cell growth
  • Reduce fibrous tissue formation
  • Improve nerve function
  • Immunoregulation

This is the first question we usually get asked and it varies from each patient, their condition and/or their surgery they have had.

Treadmill therapy Primarily designed for rehabilitation after surgery, the water treadmill provides your pet with a precise and controlled exercise, as both the depth of the water and speed the treadmill goes can be adjusted, according to your pet’s requirements and stage of recovery.

Swimming Pool Our 12ft X 4ft swimming pool is considered a high therapeutic benefit to patients suffering with muscle wastage, arthritis an obesity.

If all this sounds like hard work – it is – that’s the idea! For a dog, a 5 minute swim is a serious burst of energy expenditure, but the natural buoyancy of the water and the fact that sudden twists and falls are impossible makes hydrotherapy a safe and effective form of exercise for a dog. It’s also very enjoyable for most animals!

Of course! We want you to be able to fully understand your pets abilities and limitations and how physio can help.

Muscle wastage occurs with any lameness, beginning within days of any factor reducing the use of the limb. Therefore to prevent further weakness or injury it is important to rebuild, through safe exercise, any muscles that have deteriorated.

Swimming and water walking is ideal for rebuilding the muscle both prior to an operation and after the stitches have been removed and the skin healed.

Arthritis When walking is often painful and too strenuous for the dog, on land, each footfall creates a shock wave, which travels up the limb and is absorbed by bones, tendons and joints. While these stresses are normally necessary to maintain healthy, strong bone, premature land exercise can actually damage or weaken the limb, particularly an arthritic joint or one recovering from an injury or surgery.

Swimming and water walking allows exercise and strengthening of the muscles while avoiding this potentially damaging concussion. The increased resistance to movement caused by the water means the muscles have to work harder than they would do on land.

 

Even standing a dog in warm water has a beneficial effect – the pressure of the water on the chest makes breathing more difficult, the ribcage muscles and lungs have to work harder, and therefore there is improvement to the respiratory system. The heart has to work harder in order to meet the increased demand for oxygen and fuel for all the muscles, which are being worked. Exercise and movement together with the hydrostatic pressure caused by immersion in the water can assist in reducing swelling by moving tissue fluids away from the affected area.