Expert Veterinary Care
What physiotherapeutic facilities are available at The Veterinary Physiotherapy Clinic?
Manual therapy
myofascial release, joint mobilisations, trigger point release and stretching. These help to reduce muscle spasm and pain so that your dog or horse is more willing and able to use muscles correctly.
Ice and heat Therapy
Ice therapy is the application of ice or cold therapy to a specific area to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation to promote healing. This is particularly useful in the immediate post-operative phase, especially with joint surgery cases. The treatment can be applied as the patient leaves the operating theatre and repeated at intervals throughout the day until the swelling has reduced.
Exercise Therapy
During rehabilitation, most patients have experienced a time of immobility or disuse of a limb and muscle groups. This can have a significant impact overall on core stability and strength. Core stability can be challenged by using various modalities to target the major supportive muscle groups of the limbs, trunk and spine. These modalities are also very beneficial for ‘fine-tuning’ smaller muscle groups used for more intricate movements. We use facilitated movement, gym balls / wobble cushions / Therabands – core stability and strength training. Horses may need pole work, long reigning and isometric exercise.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve stimulation (TENS)
TENS is the use of an electric current generated by a device and delivered through adhesive electrodes placed on the skin of the patient stimulating nerves to provide pain relief. TENS works most effectively when it is introduced early in the postoperative or injury phase but can also be used in chronic conditions.
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)
Elicitation of muscle contraction using electric impulses generated by a device similar to TENS and delivered through adhesive electrodes placed on the skin in direct proximity to the muscles to be stimulated.
Muscles can be artificially stimulated if, for example, a patient is recumbent and unable to elicit a muscle contraction itself. The units provide “nutrition” to the muscle by stimulating blood flow to the area. The machines maintain a muscle’s current state to prevent further wastage and can be used to provide more stimulation later on in rehabilitation when controlled loading of a muscle is needed.
Canine Indoor Exercise Area
Rehabilitation progression requires specific advanced exercise therapy. We provide an area that has exercise equipment. We use this at various stages of a patient’s recovery and can adapt the equipment to suit even the less able patient. We use the equipment to demonstrate how an owner might be able to replicate certain exercises at home.
Canine Hydrotherapy Treadmill
Hydrotherapy is beneficial for rehabilitation of orthopaedic problems, post-operative recovery, arthritis, weight management, neurological conditions and to increase mobility generally. The higher the water level rises in relation to the patient’s body the more buoyancy is provided, meaning reduced loading and impact through the joints and it resists the body part, which assists with strengthening. Once the appropriate water level has been achieved the treadmill is started at the appropriate speed to encourage steady walking or trotting gait. The combination of the water and therapeutic facilitation makes for successful outcomes. Our heated hydrotherapy treadmill is accessible for patients of all sizes and breeds.