Initial Physiotherapy Assessment

Your first appointment begins with a detailed discussion about your pet’s history, what you have noticed and what you would like physiotherapy to address. This may include changes in walking, sitting, standing, climbing stairs, getting up, playing or other everyday activities.

Danielle then observes your pet’s movement and completes an appropriate hands-on assessment. This may consider:

The first appointment is also used to help your pet become comfortable with Danielle, the environment, touch, equipment and simple exercises. Before you leave, the aim is for you to understand the main concerns, the proposed plan and the next steps.

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Post-operative and Injury Rehabilitation

After surgery or injury, animals may experience weakness, stiffness, reduced joint movement and changes in the way they use their body. A structured programme can support a gradual return to comfortable, functional movement.

Rehabilitation may be appropriate following:

• Cruciate ligament surgery
• Fractures
• Joint injuries and luxations
• Ligament or tendon injuries
• Spinal procedures or injuries
• Other orthopaedic or neurological procedures

Treatment is adapted to the veterinary diagnosis, surgical guidance, stage of healing and your pet’s progress. The goal is not simply to complete a set number of sessions, but to help your animal safely regain as much comfortable and useful movement as possible.

Joint Health and Chronic Mobility Support

Conditions such as arthritis, hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia can affect comfort, strength and willingness to move. Physiotherapy cannot reverse every underlying condition, but it can form an important part of a long-term management plan.

Treatment may focus on:

• Maintaining comfortable joint movement
• Strengthening the muscles that support affected joints
• Improving stability, balance and confidence
• Reducing unnecessary strain during daily activity
• Helping your pet remain appropriately active
• Providing practical home-management guidance

Neurological Rehabilitation

Neurological conditions can affect strength, coordination, balance, awareness and the ability to walk normally. Physiotherapy may support animals affected by spinal cord conditions, intervertebral disc disease, peripheral nerve injuries and other neurological disorders.

Treatment may include:

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Doglates Strength and Conditioning

Doglates is Danielle’s targeted strengthening approach for dogs. Instead of simply increasing the length or intensity of a walk, controlled exercises are selected to engage specific muscles that support everyday movement.

Every programme is adjusted to the individual dog. Exercises are introduced gradually and progressed according to ability and response.

Swimming Pool Hydrotherapy

Healing Paws Physio uses a swimming pool for suitable hydrotherapy and conditioning sessions. Water creates a supportive, lower-impact environment in which animals can exercise while reducing some of the weight-bearing pressure through their joints.

Swimming may help with:

• Building muscle strength and general conditioning
• Encouraging comfortable joint movement
• Post-operative rehabilitation
• Arthritis and chronic joint conditions
• General muscle weakness
• A controlled return to activity

Hydrotherapy is not suitable for every animal or every stage of recovery. Its use depends on your pet’s diagnosis, healing stage, confidence in water and response to treatment.

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Treatment Techniques

The techniques used in a session depend on your pet’s assessment, condition, comfort and response. A treatment plan may combine several of the following approaches.

Not every technique is suitable for every animal. Treatment selection is based on assessment findings, available veterinary information and your pet’s comfort.

Healthy Weight and Lifestyle Support

Carrying excess weight can place additional pressure on the joints and make movement more difficult or uncomfortable. Weight support at Healing Paws Physio is approached without blame and with realistic goals for both the animal and the owner.

Support may include:

• Reviewing your pet’s current activity
• Discussing portion awareness and feeding habits
• Creating safe and achievable movement goals
• Adjusting exercise as your pet becomes fitter
• Monitoring functional progress
• Identifying questions to discuss with your veterinarian

Age, sterilisation, lifestyle and underlying medical conditions may all influence weight. Medical or nutrition concerns should be investigated and managed with your veterinarian.

Home Exercise and Owner Education

The work completed between appointments is often just as important as the treatment performed during a session. Where appropriate, you will receive a manageable home programme designed around your pet’s condition and your daily routine.

The aim is for you to understand:

• Which exercises to complete and how often
• What good movement should look like
• When to stop, reduce or adapt an exercise
• Which changes should be reported
• When your pet may be ready to progress

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during the first appointment?

We discuss your pet’s history and the changes you have noticed, assess movement and everyday function, and complete an appropriate hands-on examination. The session is also used to help your pet become comfortable and to create an initial treatment plan.

How many sessions will my pet need?

This depends on the condition, goals and response to treatment. A post-operative programme may have a defined rehabilitation period, while a chronic condition may benefit from longer-term management or occasional check-ins.

Is physiotherapy only for animals that have had surgery?

No. Physiotherapy may also support animals with arthritis, developmental joint conditions, neurological difficulties, weakness, reduced balance, age-related mobility changes or conditioning needs.

What if my pet is nervous?

The first session is kept gentle and adapted to your pet. Time may be spent helping them become comfortable with the environment, handling, equipment and simple exercises before more hands-on treatment is introduced.

Will I receive exercises to do at home?

Where appropriate, yes. Home exercises and owner education are important parts of the programme and will be selected according to your pet’s condition and ability.

Does physiotherapy replace veterinary treatment?

No. Physiotherapy works alongside veterinary care. Some conditions require a veterinary diagnosis, investigation, medication or approval before rehabilitation begins or continues.