Canine Physiotherapy
How can physiotherapy help your dog?
Physiotherapy can be beneficial to all dogs whether they are a high level competition, sporting or working dog or a family pet.
Dogs can become injured from simple tasks, such as playing ball, jumping on the furniture or getting in and out of the car.
Some dogs can develop chronic conditions or be born with a genetic breed specific condition such as elbow dysplasia or Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).
Working alongside a veterinary surgeon, physiotherapeutic techniques can be applied to reduce pain, improve performance, correct muscle asymmetries and restore normal muscle function or simply improve your dog's quality of life.
I will always provide an individual tailored approach to your dog's rehabilitation whether that be from surgery or injury, to maintain or restore mobility, for performance and fitness conditioning or simply for general maintenance and health.
In addition to manual therapies and exercise prescription I also offer electrotherapy treatments using
🔹 THOR class 3b laser
🔹 Westville Biomag (Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy)
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If you think your dog would benefit from regular physiotherapy, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Physiotherapy can play a vital role in helping dogs to recover/adapt post injury or surgery:
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By restoring muscle function
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Maintaining/ improving muscle mass
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Enhancing proprioception
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Maintaining/ restoring joint mobility
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An alternative to pharmaceutical pain management.
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In some circumstances physiotherapy can be a conservative alternative to surgery - see Thando's story below.
Vet Consent
Why is veterinary consent required?
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The Veterinary Surgeon's Act (1966) requires Veterinary Physiotherapists to have permission to assess or treat an animal. This ensures that the animal is suitable to undertake a physiotherapy assessment and treatment. This consent and/or notification will be required before physiotherapy treatment can start.
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For animals not currently under veterinary review or treatment, consent is not necessary. However, LHB Vet Physio will notify your vet practice prior to treating your animal. All prices for the initial assessment includes a written report for your vet or insurance company if required. Veterinary Physiotherapy is often covered by insurance companies, please call to discuss.
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Case Study : Thando's story
"My dog Thando has bilateral fragmented coronoid process. He had arthroscopy surgery and I was told he had absolutely no cartilage left in his left elbow. I have to admit I gave up hope of him having a normal life and was sad about the life he was going to lead. Thando has a fantastic hydrotherapist and one of the vets where I work recommended adding in physiotherapy as I wanted to do everything I could for my boy. I’m so glad she recommended Laura.
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Laura is professional, knowledgeable and kind. From the very first session she built up a lovely rapport with Thando. He loves Laura and is so relaxed he falls asleep in his sessions. Laura did a thorough assessment and now uses a combination of laser therapy, massage and exercises such as pole work, sits to stands & weight shifting. The improvement is amazing. He still has a slight limp but is pretty much leading the life a young Labrador should be leading.
I restrict his exercise but he enjoys his walks, his beach trips and he initiates play and zoomies with my new puppy . I couldn’t have dreamed he would be able to have such a happy life. Laura gives me exercises to do to help Thando at home to strengthen his core and hind limb strength and to take the pressure off his elbows. A combination of medication, supplements, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy is keeping my boy as pain free as he can be & is giving me hope he can lead a happy active life.
Laura is an absolutely amazing veterinary physiotherapist, she has my complete faith, trust and gratitude. I would absolutely recommend".
Michaela McMillan