When should my pet start physiotherapy?
Four X Paws Veterinary Physiotherapy is a member of the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists.
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Physiotherapy in the medical profession is a well established field, and is practised in a variety of situations from specialist departments within many hospitals, to private clinics. Physiotherapists use their knowledge and skills to provide care for people of all ages, helping them to regain near normal function of muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints, following injury or debiliating disease. Many physiotherapists are also involved in sports medicine, whether it is to prevent injury, enhance athletic performance, or treat sporting injuries.
Veterinary Physiotherapy encompasses a wide range of disciplines which enables physiotherapists to treat an extensive variety of conditions including neurological, musculoskeletal, and cardiorespiratory conditions. Many of the treatments and skills used in human physiotherapy have been transferred or modified for treating animals.
Veterinary physiotherapy is a profession that is growing rapidly as more and more veterinary surgeons and pet owners realise the benefits of physiotherapy. Whether it be as part of a rehabilitation programme post surgery or after an accident, improving mobility in the elderly patient, relieving pain due to muscle spasm or associated with osteoarthritis, or to help develop the best performance from an athletic animal, your animal's physiotherapist will use their anatomical, biomechanical, physiological and pathological knowledge, in order to devise a programme of treatments that are provided on an evidence based basis, and tailored to each animal's individual needs.
Just as physiotherapy is an important part of sports medicine for humans, it is an important factor for animal athletes as well. Keeping working dogs in optimum condition, such as those involved in agility, flyball, and working trials, will help prevent injuries and can mean the difference between winning or losing a competition. Physiotherapy can also help to treat injuries that may be incurred during the sporting activity.
Here at Four x Paws we will be able to advise you on the best time to start physiotherapy for your animal, depending upon their condition. In many cases some aspects of physiotherapy can start within 24 hours following an injury or surgery.
It is worth noting that we must always receive veterinary authorisation before assessment or treatment of your animal's condition can begin.
A referral form can be requested here.
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