WHAT IS VETERINARY PHYSIOTHERAPY?

Physiotherapy involves helping animals recover from injury, following surgery or for general maintenance, providing manual therapy including soft tissue work and using various electrotherapies. It is a vital part of recovery to ensure tissue healing and strengthening, so the animal can regain normal function. An initial assessment is done first to analyse the animal stood and in motion and assesses the musculoskeletal system’s condition. Following this, a treatment plan can be put in place as well as an exercise prescription plan, specifically tailored to the individual, along with advice to achieving the client’s goals.

MEET OUR QUALIFIED VET PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Eden Cirket is the qualified, insured and registered veterinary physiotherapist of Umm Sequim Veterinary Hospital. She holds an undergraduate degree in Animal Therapy and furthered her studying to a post graduate diploma degree in veterinary physiotherapy. She qualified in September 2021 from the Nottingham Vet School in the UK and carries extensive experience in the field having previously worked at other veterinary practices and hydrotherapy centres as well as treating various patients privately.

PHYSIO TREATMENT OPTIONS

Treatment options during a session dependent on the stage of healing can include the following:

  • Manual or soft tissue work such as massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, active/passive stretching, active/passive range of motion.

  • Electrotherapy such as pulse magnetic field therapy or the class four therapeutic laser.

  • Hydrotherapy using the underwater treadmill.

  • Ground exercise equipment and conditioning such as cavaletti pole exercises, the raised pad, wobble board and peanut.

Some of the common clinical conditions seen include the following:

  • Cruciate ligament rupture • Muscle/ joint/tendon - soreness or strain

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia • Back/SI pain

  • Arthritis • Neurological disorders

  • Intervertebral disc disease • Lameness

  • Sub luxating patella • Fractures

WHAT IS HYDROTHERAPY?

Hydrotherapy is a water-based therapy and exercise tool very useful for strengthening. The underwater treadmill is a form of this and provides a safe, secure, and controlled area for exercising. The treadmill settings such as the speed, water height, temperature can all be altered to suit the individual and their rehab/maintenance needs and to target muscles efficiently and effectively for strengthening.

There are extensive benefits to implementing hydrotherapy for treatment following injury or for fitness. The water has various properties such as buoyancy and resistance to aid in strengthening. It also provides support to the joints, reducing concussive forces, allowing full joint range of motion during movement and therefore enabling muscle building and strengthening. This also means that the animal’s gait becomes improved and an overall improved posture. The properties of the water will help with the animal’s recovery and strengthening. This includes the water height, buoyancy, speed, resistance, temperature.

If you are interested in our physiotherapy program and would like to schedule an assessment for your pet, call us on 04-321-0799 or 04-348-3799. We look forward to helping you and your furry friend regain excellent mobility and experience the joy of movement together!