Canine Veterinary Physiotherapy

We all want the best for our dogs. It can be very upsetting for you as an owners if they become injured or start showing signs of pain. Veterinary Physiotherapy can provide alternative treatment to help support your dog in recovery, pain management and improve performance. Every dog is an individual and should be treated as such, from agility performance dogs to working dogs to our lovely loyal pets.

All animals at any age or condition can benefit from a routine veterinary physiotherapy check-up, just like when you have your animals annual health check. Prevention is always better than cure and early intervention can reduce long-term compensatory issues.

If your animal is unfortunate and has an underlying health condition then veterinary physiotherapy is an absolute necessity.

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Here are a few common conditions aided by veterinary physiotherapy.

  • Muscle weakness

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Dysplasia (Hip, Elbow)

  • IVDD

  • Tendonitis

  • Luxating patella

  • Fractures

  • Spondylosis

  • Scar Tissue

  • Behavioural issues associated with pain

  • Obesity

  • Performance decline

  • Abnormal gait pattern

  • Limping/ Lameness

  • Mobility issues

A beagle dog running through a grassy field, with ears flapping and tail raised.

Canine physiotherapy session will include as standard:

  • A thorough taking of your dogs veterinary and behavioural history.

  • Asking your main goals for veterinary physiotherapy treatment

  • Talking through concerns regarding the dogs ‘normal’ behaviour’ such as changes in the way the dog walks, reluctance to do any tasks such as go up stairs.

  • Static assessment of the dog, looking at the way the muscle is distributed, any abnormalities, conformational analysis and how the dog naturally holds themselves when stood, sat and lay down.

  • Dynamic assessment. Watching the dog in a straight line in walk and trot (if possible). Optional: A sit to stand, walking over poles or other exercises may be used. If you are a returning client we will always ask you to demonstrate your exercises for us.

  • Optional: A neurological assessment of deep pain, reflexes, paper slide test, knuckling response and other techniques where appropriate

  • Palpation assessment of muscle tone, areas of soreness and tightness.

  • Massage using myofascial release and specialised techniques to improve muscle tone

  • Electrotherapies: PMFT, Laser, TENS, NMES.

  • Stretches

  • Exercises using equipment where appropriate such as poles, balance board and wobble cushion.

  • Exercise and rehabilitation plan.

Our aims for the first session is for us to meet your dog, introduce the treatment and electrotherapies using positive reinforcement, take full clinical history and get to know you, the client. A longer session is usually required on our first meet, so that an appropriate plan can be made.

A black and white dog standing in a grassy area near a small pond, surrounded by trees and bushes, with a wooden fence and house in the background.

Check out our blog page to find out about some of the different conditions treated by physiotherapy

Learn more

What can I offer to your dogs?

Every session is slightly different as it is tailored to the specific needs of that animal, however as a general rule I provide a full gait assessment including active range of motion exercises, a full range of motion assessment and a palpation assessment. I will also perform neurological testing if required. Following this I will provide the dog an appropriate treatment using a combination of  of electrotherapies (LASER, PMFT, TENS, NMES etc.) and manual therapy (massage, myofascial release, stretching etc.) and I will then provide the dog with an appropriate exercise and rehabilitation plan.

Did you know that pain can make dogs more reactive and have behavioural changes?

Veterinary Physiotherapy has been scientifically proven to help reduce pain and improve a dogs quality of life. Using kind, gentle methods of handling and treatment to ensure all dogs have a positive experience. The results speak for themselves, with dogs having immediate relief from musculoskeletal pain. If your dog has behavioural concerns you would be better booking our behavioural pain assessment.

Regular veterinary physiotherapy has been scientifically proven to help post-surgical recovery, prevent future injury, improve muscle strength and reduce the severity of pain using alternative treatment especially from chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis. I truly believe that all dogs should be able to live pain free, and with dogs who have had trauma in their lives they often suffer from mental pain which can be reflected through their body. 

A woman with dark hair in a ponytail, wearing a blue vest and black pants with boots, is kneeling on the ground and holding a small brown dog with floppy ears and a blue collar. The woman appears to be looking down at the dog. The background shows a
A young woman with brown hair in a bun, dressed in a black jacket, is lying on a tan carpeted floor, petting a large, white and black dog that is lying down. In the background, a decorated Christmas tree with blue lights and white ornaments is visibl
A young woman kneeling on the floor playing with a large brown dog indoors near a Christmas tree decorated with lights and ornaments.
A girl with a bun hairstyle and black jacket playing with a black and white dog on a beige carpet in a living room decorated for Christmas. In the background, a decorated Christmas tree with lit lights and a wrapped gift bag beside the girl.
A beagle dog sitting on a blue yoga mat on a carpeted floor, next to a wall.
A happy black and white dog with large ears and a red collar sitting on an exercise balance ball in a kitchen.
A person in a black jacket with their hair in a bun is grooming a small black and white puppy on a blue grooming platform in a living room decorated for Christmas. There is a decorated Christmas tree with white and blue ornaments and lights to the ri
A dog wearing a harness jumps over yellow agility training hurdles on a grassy field, with people and trees in the background.
A woman sitting on the floor petting a black and white dog in a living room decorated for Christmas with a decorated Christmas tree in the background.
A brown dog with floppy ears sitting on a blue yoga mat indoors, with a black wall and a white cabinet behind it.
A woman with dark hair tied in a bun, wearing a black jacket, interacts with a small dog on a raised platform in a living room decorated for Christmas with a decorated tree in the background.
A woman kneeling on a beige carpet with a brown dog in front of her, holding its paw. A decorated Christmas tree with lights and ornaments is in the background.
A small dog with a white body and brown markings on its face and ears, standing on a beige carpet, with a person's hand gently holding its side. In the background, blurred green trees are visible through a window.
Three dogs sitting on green grass in a rural outdoor setting, with trees and a partly cloudy sky in the background.