Assessments
Each new patient is booked in for an assessment to allow us to determine a treatment plan that is best suited.
During this appointment, as well as an examination, we perform a standing weight bearing assessment using our canine Stance Analyser.
This determines how much weight is being loaded through each limb, providing information regarding the patient’s condition and allowing us to track their progress.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy for pets, or veterinary rehabilitation, delivers a tailor made series of therapeutic exercises to alleviate symptoms, assist recovery or prevent injury.
The goal of physiotherapy is to improve quality of life, decrease pain and improve function. Physiotherapy for orthopedic conditions can include any combination of the following techniques: thermotherapy, cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, muscle building exercises, manual hands-on techniques and coordination exercises.
Neurological conditions generally benefit the most from balance and coordination building exercises, strengthening exercise and hydrotherapy.
Each physiotherapy sessions also includes use of electrotherapies including:
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Energy (PEME), which alters the transfer of pain signal through nerves and can provide effective pain relief; and Class IV laser treatment, which stimulates the energy process of cells to accelerate healing and has pain relieving qualities.
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) which sends electrical impulses to nerves causing muscle contraction, which can be useful for neurological patients who lack muscle tone.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is exercise and therapy in a warm water environment. Benefits of hydrotherapy include:
-an increase in muscle strength through low impact exercise, as buoyancy provided by water supports body weight;
-an increase in cardiovascular fitness, enhanced through the resistance of water
-increased joint range of motion to maintain flexibility and alleviate stiffness
- enriched proprioception which enhances the body's awareness of limb and foot position
Hydrotherapy is one of the many techniques used at Gatehouse Vet Physio, we have two underwater treadmills with an incline facility to further promote strengthening and using this state-of-the-art equipment together with the fact that the therapist is present in the treadmill throughout the treatment you'll know that your pet is in safe hands.
Acupuncture
Involves the insertion of very fine needles into the tissues and is primarily used in veterinary medicine for the pain relieving benefit it produces.
This is achieved through the body's release of substances such as endorphins in response, which act on pain killing receptors within the brain.
Most pets tolerate acupuncture treatment very well, often becoming quite sleepy during treatment. Acupuncture can only be provided by a veterinary surgeon in the UK, ensuring safe, professional and effective treatment.
Most pets will require a course of acupuncture rather han a one-off treatment. The number of sessions required depends on the condition being treated, with some longterm conditions such as osteoarthritis benefit from ongoing sessions of acupuncture.
Acupuncture can be used to manage a variety of conditions including osteoarthritis, back pain, hip dysplasia and certain urinary, skin and gastrointestinal disorders.
