Have you ever considered physiotherapy treatment for your dog?
Physiotherapy is great for dogs with all sorts of aches and pains. Whether your dog may be recovering from surgery, have a recent injury or an ongoing condition they are struggling with, physiotherapy could be the answer to helping them feel themselves again. It is also great for helping to keep fitness dogs at the top of their game and can help them age gracefully.
Surgery recommended by your vet is a brilliant first step in your dogs a path to recovery, but it is often just the start of your dog’s rehab journey so what comes next?
As with everything that depends on your dog, the reason for their surgery, how they are recovering and your vet’s advice. For many dogs surgery is not quite necessary or may not be suitable and so you may opt for conservative management of your dogs condition, including physiotherapy and hydrotherapy treatment to aid their recovery.
If your dog has had a routine or preventative surgery then their recovery is usually pretty quick after surgery and in this time you might need to alter how much your dog does, which your vet will be able to advise you on.
But if your dog has had spinal surgery for IVDD, cruciate surgery or surgery on their hips or patellas they’re going to need extra help.
After a musculoskeletal surgery, your dog will need a period of rest where they don’t get to go on their normal walks or get to play as they normally would. Which can lead to them getting stiff and losing some of their muscle.
This means that as they are building up to their normal exercise routine they are more at risk of injuries and can be in pain.
Physiotherapy helps your dog to gradually build up their strength without risking injury or overuse and also helps to control any pain or muscle tension associated with the period of rest they have had.
Physiotherapy treatment can aid the healing of surgical sites and in reducing pain, through electrotherapy's such as TENS, PEMF and laser or through medications prescribed by your vet
Physiotherapy can also improve range of motion (ROM), either actively or passively. Active ROM is usually used when your dog is no longer resting as they are carrying out different exercises, but passive ROM allows us to move our dog’s joints keeping them healthy even during their rest period.
Massage is also used in physiotherapy treatment, to reduce muscle tension. This can be done at any time and is something that you will need to keep on top of to keep your dog as comfortable and pain free as possible.
Through physiotherapy exercise plans tailored to your dogs needs, they will build muscle strength and mass over time. As exercises are introduced to help them gradually improve their muscle mass and strength before they return to their normal activity. These can also be carried out by you at home, once demonstrated and explain by your physiotherapist, to aid your dogs recovery further.
They are then in the best position possible to allow them to get back to what is more normal for them.
Physiotherapy at House of Hound Hydrotherapy Centre
Physiotherapy can help with mobility, movement, muscle strength and function. Veterinary physiotherapy sessions will comprise of an assessment, treatment and a rehabilitation plan that can be continued at home before the next visit. Treatment can include the use of massage, electro-therapies and rehabilitation exercises.
Massage is an effective tool for relieving muscle tension. Massage increases blood flow and lymphatic return, therefore it is effective in aiding warm up and cooling down. Massage is also a relaxing technique which is useful to use especially if the patient is stressed or nervous. Massage is comprised of many different techniques. Massage can be used alone or as part of a physiotherapy appointment. We offer manual therapy, electrotherapy, exercise therapy, laser therapy and Theraplate. All dogs leave with a home programme to continue between sessions.
Electro-therapies include:
TENs- used for pain relief
NMES- to increase muscle mass and strength
Pulse electromagnet- reduces pain, alters circulation, increases fracture healing, increase neurological healing
Laser/phototherapy- for wound healing, reduction of pain and reducing healing time
heat- to alter circulation and reduce pain and spasm including the use of the Epiony thermal wand
cold- to alter circulation and reduce pain and spasm
Appointments are made in the same way as hydrotherapy with the form provided and completed by your vet.
Physiotherapists at House of Hound Hydrotherapy Centre
Our in-house physiotherapy service is available for both fitness and rehabilitation dogs. Lisa runs both Equifit Physio and Canine Fit Clinic and works in close conjunction with House of Hound Hydrotherapy offering in house physiotherapy appointments to both humans and animals alike. Lisa Emerson is our ACPAT Chartered Physiotherapist (CAT A) (RAMP) who attends the clinic for weekly land based sessions. Physiotherapy compliments all aqua therapy for both healthy dogs, in the case of maintenance or rehabilitation clients. We also have Louisa Purkiss (RAMP) and Zoe Hindle are both Veterinary Physiotherapist (NAVP) and Registered Canine Hydrotherapists (RCH).
Physiotherapy at Home
Does this sound like your dog, but you struggle to travel to our centre or may struggle to travel with your dog? If so, we also offer at home physiotherapy treatments, where our physiotherapists Louisa and Zoe are able to treat your dog at your home. Offering treatment in the Huddersfield, Leeds and Wakefield areas. If this is something you're interested in, please do not hesitate to contact us for further details or to book an appointment.
Contact us
Call : 01484 218062
Email : office@houseofhoundhydrotherapy.co.uk