CANINE PHYSIOTHERAPY

Does my dog need physiotherapy?

All dogs of any age can benefit from physiotherapy regardless of whether they are a working dog or family pet. 

Treatment goals can vary from maintenance sessions keeping your dog comfortable and functioning while maintaining fitness, to the treatment of sudden injuries or chronic conditions.

Dogs that compete in flyball, agility or obedience as well as working service and gundogs will benefit from regular treatments to maintain healthy muscle tone and reduce the chance of subtle asymmetries developing which could result in injury and time off work and exercise.

At Siobhan Hall Veterinary Physiotherapy each dog is treated as  an individual and will have personalised treatment plans and exercise prescription programmes to optimise health and well being.

Some signs that your dog may need physiotherapy include:

• Lameness and stiffness

• Heat or swelling around joint

• Muscle asymmetry and wastage

• Difficulty jumping in and out of the car or onto beds and sofas

• Behavioural changes and reluctance to exercise and go on walks 

• Weight shifting and offloading

• Reactive to touch areas

• Reluctant to lift paws 

• Tripping or toe scuffing

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Common conditions and injuries that benefit from physiotherapy can include:

• Reduced performance in competition

• Stiffness

• Weakness

• Obesity

• Amputees

• Hip and elbow dysplasia

• Muscle, tendon or ligament strains

• Muscle atrophy

• Wounds

• Osteoarthritis

• Fracture repair

• Hip replacements

• Spinal surgery

• Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD)

• Neurological conditions:​​

• Pre and post surgical care

• Palliative care

• Traumas

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