Canine Physiotherapy

What I offer

Physiotherapy is beneficial for a variety of canine patients. These include management of arthritis, improving performance in sporting dogs or rehabilitation after injury or surgery. Physiotherapy works to reduce pain, improve movement and restore function. 

Treatment approaches

  • Advice on environment and exercise regimes

  • Manual treatment to muscles and joints – reduce pain, improve movement and function

  • Tailored exercise programmes – stretches, strengthening and balance

  • TEN’s and Neuro-muscular stimulation – reduce pain, improve muscle strength.

  • Splints or joint supports – can also be used to help manage long-term conditions

Working with vets

At Affinity we work closely with the Canine’s Veterinarian to provide the best possible and most effective recovery or management for your canines needs. It is a legal requirement that Veterinary consent is gained prior to working with any animal. Please ask your Vet to fill out the consent form below and have this available for your first appointment.

Consent Form

Laser therapy

Gina is able to provide cold laser therapy during her physiotherapy sessions. There are many benefits to using laser therapy to assist with recovery and for pain management. 

 Helps speed up healing by stimulating mitochondria to produce more energy in the cells (ATP). This helps regenerate muscle, bone, nerve, ligaments and tendons. 

  • Improves blood flow, which speeds up the healing process

  • Accelerates the removal of local inflammation, which in turn reduces pain. 

Beneficial conditions to use laser

  • Arthritis 

  • Post operatively on wounds, bone healing (e.g. TPLO and IVDD)

  • Muscle pain and spasm

  • Tendon injuries 

  • Joint dysplasia’s such as elbow and hip. 

Get in contact

Signs your Dog may need Physiotherapy

Difficulty getting up and down from the floor

Difficulty using stairs

Stiff after laying down or after exercise

Licking/chewing of joints

Change in behaviour including reluctance to perform usual activities

Change in performance in sporting dogs

Restlessness

Panting (when not hot)

What clients say…

  • "Gina has been fabulous with our young anxious dog, which is mostly because she has been in pain for so long with hip dysplasia and arthritis, but Gina has followed advice from our canine behaviour therapist and has holistically put our dogs needs first. Gina has gone at the dogs pace and has earnt the 'right' to treat her and the relationship and trust will pay off long term. Highly recommended"

  • "‘Gina came to the rescue each week with her calmness, kindness, and obvious genuine care and love for animals."

  • "Gina was really great. Very sensible suggestions she made for exercises and managing our dog while she recovered from her cruciate ligament surgery . Margot liked her too, Gina was calm and kind. I would thoroughly recommend her to anyone."

  • "Gina recently did his first physio session with my dog following a neurological injury and has given him tailored exercises to do every day. She has been super helpful via email/WhatsApp and answered any questions, as well as given recommendations for additional things to help his recovery. She is both friendly and professional which has made me and my pup feel at ease! Thank you :)"

Feline Physiotherapy

Feline physiotherapy combines the use of manual therapy (such as massage and range of movement exercises), electrotherapy (such as laser) and exercise therapy, to restore function and improve comfort. 

Common conditions seen in cats

  • Pelvis stabilisations following road traffic accidents

  • Arthritis 

  • Neurological pathology following injury

Signs your cat could benefit from physiotherapy

  • Reluctance to jump or not able to reach surfaces they could previously reach 

  • Difficulty going up and down stairs 

  • Issues with grooming

  • Reluctant to be touched e.g. on back

  • Stiffness / lameness

Working with vets

At Affinity we work closely with the Canine’s Veterinarian to provide the best possible and most effective recovery or management for your felines needs. It is a legal requirement that Veterinary consent is gained prior to working with any animal. Please ask your Vet to fill out the consent form below and have this available for your first appointment.

Consent Form

FAQs

How long are sessions?

Sessions are anything up to an hour. This usually depends on how much treatment is required and how settled your pet is. Some need more time to settle and relax (with the help of their favourite treats).

1

Where are you based?

I do not have a clinic and instead come out to you at home. Through the years I have found this to be the most effective way to provide treatment.

2

Do I need to set up anything or have anything ready for your session?

3

I just need some floor space with non-slip flooring e.g. rug or carpet. It always helps to have some of their favourite treats handy.

What is an initial assessment ?

This is the first session and can be up to an hour. I will talk to you in depth about the current issue and assess you dog. We will look at them walking and I will do a hands on assessment. We will have regular breaks to allow your pet to settle and relax. I will carry out treatment if this is needed, give advice on your environment and activity and set you up with exercises to do at home. Following the appointment I will send over the exercise instructions and also a send a physiotherapy report to your vets and to yourself.

4

How often will I need physio and how many sessions?

5

This depends on the issue your pet is having. I will be able to give you a more accurate information after assessing your pet. My aim is always to enable you to be able to help your pet as much as possible at home.