Services

The UWTM is a form of hydrotherapy which allows safe exercise and rehabilitation in weight bearing positions within the water. The properties of the warm water promote many positive benefits including:

• Improved circulation
• Increased muscle and joint range of movement
• Reduced swelling
• Strengthening of weak muscles
• Raised fitness levels and tolerance to exercise
• Safe exercise for dogs with poor mobility or for those who are not allowed to exercise normally on land

The UWTM is tolerated well by animals, even those who do not like water and full support is given by the hydrotherapist during each session.

As part of our complete service we require all animals to undergo an assessment prior to their first UWTM session; this helps to determine suitability, each individual’s needs and to develop a programme.

Examples of conditions which benefit from UWTM include:

• Arthritis, dysplasia and developmental joint disease
• Cruciate ligament, patella luxation and other orthopaedic disorders
• Spinal and neurological conditions
• Post surgical and fracture rehabilitation
• Obesity & weight management
• Lameness and poor mobility
• Muscle, tendon and ligament injuries

For an animal to receive hydrotherapy it is necessary for a veterinary surgeon to make a referral and provide details regarding the history of the pet and the condition to be treated.

To refer an animal for physiotherapy please click here to download a referral form.

Insertion of these needles at specific points helps to block pain messages and encourage the central nervous system to produce more of the body’s own natural painkillers.

Acupuncture is not painful and is performed whilst patients are conscious, occasionally they may react to the initial insertion of the needles, with the anticipation of pain, however they soon relax and positively enjoy the experience.

A typical course of treatment would be a minimum of four weekly sessions. We can then assess and modify your pet’s treatment plan to suit each individual, reducing the frequency of sessions or adding sessions as required.

Both pain and functional conditions which can be treated with acupuncture:

• Arthritis
• Muscle strains
• Disc disease (neuropathic) and bony changes of the spine
• Constipation in cats
• Irritable bowel type problems in dogs

Physiotherapy can encourage independence, increased function and improve the wellbeing of animals for as long as possible.

The profession of Physiotherapy can also help maintain health in animals of all ages, manage pain and prevent disease.

Types of conditions / situations where physiotherapy is appropriate as part of management:

• Spinal problems and back pain
• Joint complaints such as pain, injury, arthritis, swelling and stiffness
• Muscle, tendon and ligament injuries
• Rehabilitation following surgery to aid recovery and return to function
• Neurological conditions
• Obesity and promoting weight loss
• Injuries sustained during sport, work or competition

Treatment techniques used:

• Soft tissue release techniques
• Manual joint and spinal mobilisations
• Heat / cryotherapy
• Kinesiotaping
• Neuro-muscular electrical stimulation
• Low-level laser therapy
• Pulsed biomagetic therapy
• Exercise and rehabilitation programmes
• Education and advice
• Ergonomic advice and strategies
• Measuring for splinting / orthotic supports

For an animal to receive physiotherapy it is necessary for a veterinary surgeon to make a referral and provide details regarding the history of the pet and the condition to be treated.

To refer an animal for physiotherapy please click here to download a referral form.

Therapeutic lasers deliver specific red and near-infrared wavelengths of light to induce a photochemical reaction and therapeutic effect. The laser light delivers energy to the tissue at a cellular level, interacting and increasing metabolic activity within the cell, causing a cascade of reactions that increase cellular function and enhance tissue repair.

Physiological effects include increased circulation, reduced inflammation and pain as well as enhanced tissue healing. Lasers also decrease the number of microorganisms such as bacteria by inducing white blood cells to the area treated so are particularly useful when treating infected or granulating wounds.

Treatment times for the patient are short, on average up to five minutes per area and shaving or gel is not required.

It is thought that pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMFT) interferes with nerve transmission in small nerves, blocking pain transmission and increasing oxygenation in damaged areas.

This treatment is often used successfully in conjunction with physiotherapy and hydrotherapy treatment. The patient simply needs to sit or lie within the magnetic field, on or under pads.