Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to some of the common questions we’re asked about veterinary physiotherapy, appointments and getting started.
About physiotherapy
Veterinary physiotherapy uses a range of assessment techniques, hands-on treatments, electrotherapies and therapeutic exercises to support an animal’s movement, comfort, strength and function.
It can be used as part of rehabilitation following injury or surgery, to support animals with ongoing conditions, or to help maintain fitness and performance in active dogs and horses.
Physiotherapy can be beneficial for a wide range of conditions and goals, including rehabilitation following surgery or injury, osteoarthritis and other long-term conditions, mobility problems, neurological rehabilitation, muscle weakness and supporting sporting or working animals.
If you’re unsure whether physiotherapy would be appropriate for your animal, we’re always happy to discuss their individual needs.
No. Physiotherapy isn’t only for animals recovering from injury or surgery. It can also be used for prevention, maintenance, fitness and conditioning, particularly for sporting, working and active animals.
Treatment is always adapted to the individual animal and their comfort, temperament and stage of rehabilitation. We work at their pace and use appropriate techniques to make sessions as positive and comfortable as possible. If an animal is uncomfortable or becomes stressed during treatment, we will adapt the approach accordingly.
Before your appointment
We ask for relevant veterinary information and consent before commencing physiotherapy where this is required. If your animal has an injury, illness, diagnosed condition or is recovering from surgery, we will liaise with your veterinary practice before treatment. If you’re unsure, just get in touch and we can advise you on the appropriate pathway.
That’s absolutely fine. We understand that every animal is different. We take time to allow them to settle and adapt our approach to their individual temperament and needs. Where appropriate, home visits may also be considered for animals who are particularly anxious about travelling or unfamiliar environments.
Your appointment
Your first appointment begins with a detailed history and discussion about your animal, their lifestyle, veterinary history and what you would like to achieve.
We then carry out an individualised assessment, which may include observing movement, palpation, range-of-motion assessment and functional or objective measurements where appropriate.
The findings are used to develop a treatment and rehabilitation plan tailored to your animal.
Initial assessments usually take around 1–1.5 hours, depending on the individual animal and what is required.
Follow-up appointments are generally around 1 hour, although this can vary depending on the animal and stage of rehabilitation.
This depends on your animal’s condition, goals and response to treatment. Some animals may benefit from more frequent appointments during the early stages of rehabilitation, while others may only need occasional maintenance sessions.
We will discuss a suitable treatment plan with you and adjust it as your animal progresses.
After your appointment, we’ll discuss what we’ve found and the next steps for your animal. Where appropriate, you’ll be given exercises, management advice or other recommendations to continue their progress between appointments.
Treatment plans are reviewed and adapted as your animal progresses.
Veterinary care & insurance
Yes. We believe good rehabilitation works best when everyone involved in an animal’s care is working towards the same goal.
With appropriate consent, we can communicate with your veterinary practice and provide treatment updates or reports where required.
No. Veterinary physiotherapy is intended to complement veterinary care, not replace it.
If we identify something during an assessment that requires veterinary investigation, we’ll recommend that you speak to your vet.
Many pet insurance policies cover veterinary physiotherapy, but this varies between insurers and individual policies.
We recommend checking your policy or contacting your insurer before treatment if you intend to make a claim.
Sport & performance
Yes. Physiotherapy isn’t only for rehabilitation. Regular assessment and appropriate conditioning can help support mobility, strength, flexibility and physical performance in active and sporting animals.
It can also help identify changes in movement or muscle function that may warrant further investigation.
Practical
Appointments are available at our clinic at Operation K9 in Sherburn, North Yorkshire. Home visits may also be available where appropriate, particularly for animals who are unable to travel or would benefit from being assessed and treated in their usual environment. Home visits are considered on an individual basis depending on your animal’s needs and location, with an additional home visit fee applied.
You can get in touch by phone, email or through our contact form. Tell us a little about your animal and what you’re looking for help with, and we’ll get back to you to discuss the next steps.
READY TO GET STARTED?
Get in touch to discuss how physiotherapy could help your animal.