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How Physiotherapy Helps Your Dog After Surgery

Just like humans, dogs need proper rehabilitation after surgery to ensure a full and healthy recovery. Whether your furry friend has undergone orthopaedic surgery, soft tissue repair, or neurological procedures, physiotherapy can make a world of difference in speeding up recovery, improving mobility, and restoring quality of life. Let’s dive into how physiotherapy can help your dog after surgery and why it’s a crucial part of the healing process.

1. Promotes Faster Healing

One of the main goals of post-surgical physiotherapy is to encourage the healing of tissues, muscles, and joints. By using controlled and gentle movements, physiotherapy helps improve blood circulation, which delivers vital oxygen and nutrients to the injured area. This boost in circulation helps reduce swelling and inflammation, which are common after surgery, and accelerates the body’s natural healing processes.

Key Techniques:

  • Massage therapy: Increases blood flow and reduces muscle tension.
  • Cold and heat therapy: Reduces swelling (cold therapy) and stimulates blood flow (heat therapy).

2. Reduces Pain and Discomfort

Surgery can leave your dog in significant pain, limiting their ability to move and affecting their overall well-being. Physiotherapy provides several pain-relief methods that are gentle and non-invasive. These techniques, such as laser therapy, ultrasound, and acupuncture, help to reduce post-operative pain without relying solely on medications, which can have side effects when used long-term.

Key Techniques:

  • Laser therapy: Reduces pain and inflammation at a cellular level.
  • TENS units (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation): Provides electrical stimulation to relieve pain.

3. Improves Mobility and Flexibility

After surgery, scar tissue can develop, and muscles can stiffen due to inactivity, which leads to a limited range of motion. Physiotherapy focuses on gradually increasing your dog’s mobility and flexibility through controlled exercises. Stretching, range-of-motion exercises, and hydrotherapy can help prevent joint stiffness and muscle wasting, while also restoring your dog’s natural movements.

Key Techniques:

  • Passive range-of-motion exercises: Gently moving the dog’s limbs to maintain flexibility.
  • Hydrotherapy: Water-based exercises that support weight and encourage movement without stressing the joints.

4. Prevents Muscle Atrophy

When dogs are recovering from surgery, they often spend a lot of time resting, which can lead to muscle atrophy or loss of muscle mass. This is particularly concerning in dogs with orthopedic issues, as strong muscles are needed to support healing bones and joints. Physiotherapy combats muscle atrophy by engaging the muscles in therapeutic exercises that keep them active without putting excessive strain on healing areas.

Key Techniques:

  • Therapeutic exercises: Balance boards, controlled walking, and strength-building activities.
  • Treadmill therapy: Gentle walking on a treadmill to build strength and endurance.

5. Supports Mental Well-being

Surgery can be stressful for dogs, not only physically but also mentally. A prolonged recovery period can lead to boredom, anxiety, and depression. Physiotherapy sessions are not just about physical recovery; they also provide mental stimulation. The attention and care during therapy, along with gradually getting your dog moving again, help reduce stress and encourage a more positive attitude during recovery.

6. Customised Recovery Plans

Every dog’s surgery and recovery needs are different, and physiotherapy provides a tailored approach to rehabilitation. A trained canine physiotherapist will assess your dog’s condition, identify specific areas that need attention, and design a personalised recovery plan. This ensures that your dog gets the right combination of techniques and exercises suited to their individual needs, whether they’re recovering from a torn ligament, hip surgery, or a spinal injury.

7. Improves Long-term Outcomes

Proper physiotherapy after surgery not only helps your dog recover in the short term but also ensures better long-term health. Without therapy, dogs are more likely to develop complications like joint stiffness, chronic pain, and reduced mobility. Physiotherapy reduces the risk of these complications by encouraging proper healing and promoting strong, healthy muscles and joints.

How to Get Started with Canine Physiotherapy

If your dog has recently had surgery, it’s important to consult your veterinarian about physiotherapy. Your dog’s rehabilitation journey will be carefully guided, ensuring they recover at a safe pace and reach their full potential for mobility and comfort.

Final Thoughts

Physiotherapy can make a tremendous difference in helping your dog recover after surgery. From reducing pain to restoring mobility and strength, this specialised care ensures that your beloved pet can enjoy a quicker and more comfortable recovery. By investing in physiotherapy, you are not only supporting their physical healing but also giving them the best chance at a healthy and active future.

What Pet Owners Should Know Before Getting a Referral

If you’re a pet owner, navigating the world of veterinary care can sometimes be confusing, especially when it comes to referrals for specialist treatments. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has recently updated its guidance on how veterinary referrals should be handled, aiming to make the process clearer and more transparent for both vets and pet owners. This updated guidance ensures you, as a pet owner, are well-informed about the expertise of the professionals treating your pet.

Here’s what you need to know to make the best decisions for your pet’s health when it comes to referrals:

1. Understanding the Expertise of Referral Vets

One of the key updates is the clarification around how vets should explain the expertise of the professionals they refer you to. If your pet needs treatment beyond what your regular vet can provide, they might suggest seeing another vet with more specialized skills.

Your vet is now required to clearly explain the qualifications of the vet they are referring you to. There are specific titles such as “RCVS Specialist” or “Advanced Practitioner” that carry defined levels of expertise. For example:

RCVS Specialists are vets who have completed extensive training (at least three years) and passed a high-level examination in their area of expertise.

Advanced Practitioners have additional qualifications and experience but may not have undergone the same level of specialised training as a Specialist.

It’s essential your vet explains these differences and offers you options. If your vet recommends an Advanced Practitioner, they should also let you know that a referral to an RCVS Specialist is another option, depending on your pet’s needs.

2. Accurate Terminology Matters

Another important point in the updated guidance is that only recognized titles like “RCVS Specialist” or “Advanced Practitioner” should be used to describe the person who will treat your pet. Terms like “consultant” or “referral surgeon” are considered misleading and could give the impression of a level of expertise that may not be accurate.

Always ask about the specific qualifications of the vet your pet is being referred to, and make sure they match these recognized titles.

3. Referrals to Veterinary Centres

If your pet is being referred to a veterinary centre rather than an individual vet, it’s important to understand that not all vets in the centre may have the same qualifications. The new RCVS guidance highlights that your referring vet should inform you about the varying levels of experience among the vets at the referral centre. For example, you might assume your pet will be seen by a Specialist when, in reality, they could be treated by a vet in training (such as a resident) who may not yet have specialist qualifications.

To avoid confusion, ask about the specific vet who will be responsible for your pet’s care at the centre.

4. Conflicts of Interest Must Be Disclosed

Transparency is key when it comes to veterinary care, and the RCVS has emphasized that vets must disclose any potential conflicts of interest when making referrals. This means your vet should tell you if they have a financial or professional link to the practice they are referring you to, such as:

  • Referring you to a centre owned by the same group as their practice
  • Referring to a peripatetic surgeon (a freelance specialist) who works out of their practice and whose services financially benefit the practice

Being informed about these connections allows you to make a fully informed decision and ensures that your pet’s care is always in their best interest.

Why Is This Update Important?

The RCVS has made these changes because there were concerns that previous guidelines were not always followed or fully understood by vets. These updates aim to ensure that pet owners, like you, have all the information needed to make the best decisions for your pet.

In the past, there have been cases where pet owners were unaware that their pet was being treated by a non-specialist vet, which led to complications or even serious health risks. This updated guidance places responsibility on the referring vet to be clear about the qualifications of the professionals they are recommending.

The differences between an Advanced Practitioner and a Specialist are significant, especially when it comes to complex procedures like surgery. Specialists undergo rigorous training, including years of hands-on experience and exams, which means they are better equipped to handle highly specialised or complex cases.

What Should You Do When Your Pet Needs a Referral?

When your vet recommends a referral, here are some steps you can take to ensure your pet gets the best care possible:

  • Ask about qualifications: Make sure you understand whether your pet is being referred to an Advanced Practitioner or an RCVS Specialist.
  • Get a clear explanation: Ask your vet to explain the difference between the two and why they are recommending a particular option for your pet.
  • Inquire about the vet who will treat your pet: If you are being referred to a veterinary centre, make sure you know who will be treating your pet and what their qualifications are.
  • Check for conflicts of interest: If your vet has a connection to the referral practice or the vet they are recommending, make sure this is disclosed to you.

By staying informed and asking the right questions, you can be confident in the care your pet will receive.

Conclusion

The updated RCVS guidance on veterinary referrals is designed to promote transparency and ensure pet owners can make informed decisions about their pet’s care. Understanding the qualifications of the vets involved, asking the right questions, and being aware of any potential conflicts of interest will help you choose the best referral option for your pet.

Your vet should be your partner in this process, providing you with clear and accurate information to support your decisions. Ultimately, this update is a positive step forward for the veterinary profession, pet owners, and—most importantly—your pets.

Read more on our Vet Choices page

Limb Amputation

Condition Guide

Limb Amputation

What is Limb Amputation?

A full limb amputation in canines is almost always a life­saving procedure, allowing you to spend many more years with your dog. With some preparation and knowledge, you can help your dog live a full, functional and pain-free life for many years following an amputation.

Dogs were, of course, designed to walk on four legs. After an amputation, they will experience significant changes in their balance, leg and back function, and will need your help and support to relearn how to perform everyday activities in a way that protects their bodies in the long run from further injury and degeneration.

Despite the huge internal adjustments required, dogs on three limbs can be happy, healthy and fully functional. The amputation and recovery period is often harder for us, their owners, than it is for our dogs. I hope that in these pages, you will find the tools and advice you need to make your dog’s recovery simple and smooth, and to take the steps that will enhance their post-amputation quality of life.

What do I need to consider post Limb Amputation surgery?

When your dog comes home from the hospital after their surgery, they are going to need an environment that allows them to rest, feel safe, and build their confidence as they recover. Their post-op recovery could take four to eight weeks, although your veterinary surgeon will advise you on the exact time period you need to plan for, and the specific requirements for your dog’s post-op care. You will want to ensure that during their rest and recovery period, they don’t perform certain activities like jumping on and off of furniture. Your dog will thank you if you’re considerate enough to have these areas ready for his or her homecoming:

  1. A comfortable bed is essential, and needs to be both comfortable and accessible to get into and out of. The bed should be flat, even, and relatively firm. An orthopedic bed is highly recommended, especially for larger dogs or dogs with arthritis in other areas of their bodies. These beds are an investment that your dog will benefit from for the rest of their lives.
  2. Non-slip flooring is incredibly important for your dog. While they are learning to balance and move functionally, they are more likely to slip and fall. Carpets are great in the initial post-op recovery period, as they provide traction and a soft surface should your dog lose balance and fall. Every time your dog slips, they will become more cautious and afraid, and their bodies will compensate. If you don’t have carpets, you can put down yoga mats or runners to create a pathway for your dog through areas of tiled or laminate flooring.
  3. There should be easy access from your dog’s resting area to a safe outside area. During the initial recovery period, you want to avoid steps as far as possible. Try to make it easy for your dog to get in and out of the house to relieve themselves.

The key piece of equipment for post-op care is a good quality support harness or sling. A good harness will allow you to support and stabilise your dog as they learn to balance themselves on three legs. Both ice packs and heat packs have the effect of reducing pain and inflammation. Make sure you have an icepack that is moldable rather than solid. Both ice and heat packs should be large enough to cover the stump of the leg. Post-surgery pain management strategies Your vet will provide you with pain medication during the initial post­op recovery phase. If you find that the prescribed pain medication is not enough for your dog, please go back to your vet and discuss additional pain medication with them. The better pain is controlled in the initial phases of healing, the better your dog’s long-term outcome will be. In addition to rest and pain medication, your dog will benefit from regular ice applications around the incision site, together with massage of their back and their remaining legs to reduce any compensation pain or tension. Gentle movement of the skin around the incision site can help prevent excessive scarring, which can also improve their long-term comfort and mobility.

Making the most of life with Limb Amputation

Once your dog’s incision has healed and they are confidently navigating their environments, you can start to prepare them more fully for their new life ahead. A big part of this will be geared towards preventing future injuries or degeneration in the remaining limbs by managing their weight and keeping them strong.

Keeping your dog at an optimal weight will provide them with the best chance of remaining strong and pain free in the years to come. With only three legs, any excess weight will lead to more stress on the joints and the development of arthritis, inflammation and increasing pain. If you need advice on developing a weight loss plan for your amputee, please book a consultation so that we can help you on your pet’s weight loss journey.

Exercise is incredibly important for your amputee to help them maintain mobility, strength and endurance. While they will love going for walks just as they did before their amputation, you might find that they fatigue more easily and want to run instead of walk. This is completely normal – balancing while walking is much harder for your three-legged dog than slow running, where they can use momentum to maintain balance. Even so, their body is working much harder on three legs than it did on four, and taking frequent rest breaks will be necessary. Pay attention to where your dog’s current stamina level is, and slowly build it up over time.

How can Limb Amputation cases be supported?

While dogs carry their weight on four limbs, not all four limbs are the same. Dogs carry 60% of their weight on their forelimbs and 40% on their hind limbs.

The limbs also have different functions: the hindlimbs are important for forward propulsion, while the forelimbs are important for changing directions, slowing down and balancing.

Together, these points mean that dogs generally cope and adjust more easily to a hindlimb amputation, taking a little more time and requiring a little more help when it comes to a forelimb amputation.

There are a few key areas where you can pick up compensation and biomechanical adaptations that can lead to an increased risk of injury. Let’s look at some of these key areas and how you can recognise when they are starting to fail. 

The Carpus

In a hindlimb amputee, there is a significant increase in braking force and weight on the opposite front limb. In a front limb amputee, the forces acting on the opposite front limb increase to cause more extension of the carpus. You will want to look at your dog from the side and from the front. Notice the carpal joint and how much bend there is in it. In this illustration, the carpus is bending to bring the paw towards the centre of the body. When looking from the side, the carpus can over-extend, appearing closer to the ground. When the carpus starts to bend excessively either from the side or the front, discuss carpal support braces with your veterinarian and rehabilitation team.

The Thoracic Sling

These are the muscles that attach the forelimbs to the body. When they become weak or painful from overuse, they can start to fail. This is especially relevant for forelimb amputees. In this illustration, you can see how much the head and chest drop down to the ground when the dog places their weight on the front limb. At the same time, the hindquarter stays high. This compensation puts a great deal of strain on the front limb and the spine. Keeping your dog’s core strong can help to prevent this from happening. When you start to see this dramatic drop in the thoracic sling, it’s time to check in with your vet and rehabilitation team, as your dog might need pain management and strengthening work to help them cope with the compensation.

The Lumbosacral Junction

In this illustration, we can see that the lower back or the lumbosacral region is rounded. You can also see that the dog is dropped through their thoracic sling -these two things will often go hand in hand, but not always. Excessive rounding of the lower back is a sign of pain and discomfort. When you start to see it in your dog, it’s time to check in with your vet and rehab team.

Curvature Of The Spine

In this illustration, we can see that the dog’s hips lean towards his right, the shoulders and elbow towards his left, and the head and neck towards the right. In amputees, the spine will naturally start to curve to help the dog maintain balance in movement without a fourth limb. You will want to find what is normal for your dog, and keep a lookout for when that curve in the spine changes or becomes more extreme.

Illustrations by Anna Loyd

Limb Amputation Rehabilitation

Hydrotherapy

In amputees, hydrotherapy can be one of the most effective forms of exercise for weight management as the stress on the joints will be reduced during exercise and we can therefore protect the joints from degeneration and developing arthritis. However, as your amputee’s balance will be very different with three legs than with four, hydrotherapy becomes much more difficult and needs to be performed with additional safety measures in place.

Physiotherapy

Your dog is an individual and will be coping with their amputation in their own specific ways. Our Veterinary Physiotherapy team will develop an exercise programme specifically for your dog. Your dog may also benefit from:

  • Support bracing
  • Prosthetics
  • Wheels/Carts

We highly recommend that owners seek Physiotherapy support during the initial phases of adaptation and relearning following your dogs’ amputation, to prevent compensatory patterns, pain and dysfunction from becoming entrenched.

Joint Supplements

Joint protection supplements or a joint support diet can help reduce inflammation in the body and protect the joints from developing arthritis. As your dog needs to adapt his biomechanics and movement patterns, arthritis will inevitably develop in his remaining limbs over the course of his life. Starting them on a joint support diet can slow the development of arthritis and reduce its severity once they start to develop it.

We recommend a joint supplement called “Antinol” as a the product with the best scientific evidence behind it. Use our coupon code below for an extra discount.

Discount code: CANINE FITNESS
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The content on this page is for advice and information only and does not represent veterinary guidance or direction. Please always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are worries about your dog.

Intervertebral Disc Disease

Condition Guide

Intervertebral Disc Disease

What is Intervertebral Disc Disease?

A more common term for Intervertebral disc disease is a ‘slipped disc’ in the back. The discs are the structures between the bones of the spine that act as shock absorbers.

Discs in dogs degenerate as they get older – just like people. This process results in the discs becoming dehydrated and losing their cushioning effect. They may then ‘slip’ in one of two ways:

  1. The material in the centre of the disc can come out of the fibrous ring and injure the spinal cord
  2. The fibrous ring may thicken and compress the spinal cord

What are the signs of Intervertebral Disc Disease?

Affected dogs may show signs of:

  • Sudden inability to walk
  • Back pain
  • Reluctance to jump or climb
  • Tense abdomen
  • Mild weakness or incoordination of the back legs
  • Incontinence

How is Intervertebral Disc Disease diagnosed?

A neurological examination is necessary to assess the severity of any neurological injury. This involves testing numerous reflexes and checking the dog’s ability to feel pain in the hind limbs. The examination often helps the specialist to localise which area of the spine is affected.

Normal X-rays of the back may reveal evidence of intervertebral disc disease, such as a narrowed disc space or a calcified disc. However, more advanced investigations are necessary to see which disc has actually slipped and assess the severity of any spinal cord compression.

How is Intervertebral Disc Disease treated?

The two principle methods of managing intervertebral disc disease:

Conservative Management

When dogs with mild deficits evident from intervertebral disc disease then conservatively managing  their condition may be an option. Their exercise must be restricted; short lead walks for toileting purposes may be necessary, with strict confinement at other times. The hope is that the ‘slipped disc’ will heal, any back pain subside and the spinal cord recover from any injury. Painkillers may be necessary and possibly other drugs, such as muscle relaxants. 

Surgical Management

The aims of surgery are to remove any disc material that is compressing the spinal cord and to prevent any more disc material ‘slipping’. Decompressive surgery involves removing a section of bone from around the spine to enable retrieval of disc material. Further ‘slipping’ can be prevented by cutting a small window in the side of the disc and removing material in the centre. 

Neurological Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation therapy is a key component in helping aid the recovery from neurological diseases. Once the vet has diagnosed your pet and completed any surgeries, our team can can step in to aid the long road to recovery.

Initial therapy may include standing exercises, as well as range of motion exercises. These are complimented with pain control and toe pinch exercises. An important part of the retraining is aquatic rehabilitation. Often, with more severe cases, one of our trained neurological hydro therapists will assist the dog whist in our underwater treadmill.

Other exercises include balance exercises, core stability and spacial resistance band walking, physio-roll balancing and home specific exercises. In the hydrotherapeutic environments, the dogs will walk and train with resistance against the water, whether walking or swimming. We also use therapeutic electrotherapies to deep-heat muscles, cryotherapy and laser therapy to aid the recovery process.

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The content on this page is for advice and information only and does not represent veterinary guidance or direction. Please always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are worries about your dog.

Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO)

Condition Guide

Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO)

What is Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO)?

Femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO) is a surgical procedure in which the ball portion and the attachment (neck) portion are removed from the rest of the femur, which in essence removes the hip joint. The body forms a “new hip” in the months following surgery. But unlike the normal contact of bone and cartilage, the new hip is a collection of scar tissue with additional support from the surrounding muscles and joint capsule.

Why would an Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO) be recommended?

FHO is a surgical treatment for hip disorders such as a fractured hip, hip dysplasia, hip luxation, and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease in small dogs (less than 50 pounds).

Active dogs often experience better results with FHO than less-active dogs. The muscle mass that has been built up through activity helps to stabilize the joint, allowing the dog to regain pain-free mobility more quickly than inactive pets. Inactive dogs have less muscle mass around the joint, making the joint less stable post-operatively and leading to longer recovery times.

What does Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO) involve?

An FHO restores mobility to the hip by removing the head of the femur. This removes the ball of the ball-and-socket joint, leaving just an empty socket. The muscles of the leg will initially hold the femur in place and, over time, scar tissue will form between the acetabulum and the femur to provide cushioning that is referred to as a ‘false joint’. Although this joint is anatomically very different from a normal hip joint, it provides pain-free mobility in most patients.

What is post surgical life like after Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO)?

Care varies based upon the needs of the specific patient, but in general the post-operative recovery can be divided into two phases:

  1. In the first several days post-operatively, your dog will be healing from the surgical procedure. Because bones and muscle are cut during this procedure, the focus during this period will be on pain control. Activity restriction during the first several days postoperatively is strongly recommended.
  2. In the first 30 days after surgery, it is important to avoid rough play or any activity that encourages sudden twists and turns. These high-impact motions will slow the healing that is occurring within the joint and muscles.

Most dogs will be show signs of complete recovery approximately six weeks post-operatively. Healing may be more rapid in dogs that had normal function up until shortly before the FHO and may be slower in dogs with longstanding, chronic issues.

Most dogs recover fully after FHO surgery and regain essentially-normal function of the affected leg. Although the leg may have a slightly decreased range of motion or decreased limb length after surgery, these impacts are typically minimal and do not impact the pet’s quality of life.

Post surgical rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is a process which aims to maximise patient mobility and wellbeing, returning them to their usual way of life following illness, injury or surgery. We restore pets to normal function (or as close as is possible), efficiently and safely using a wide variety of physiotherapeutic techniques.

Injury and even surgery can disrupt the body’s equilibrium in all sorts of direct and indirect ways. Even a pet’s own protective responses such as the inflammatory process can overwhelm and inhibit healing so one objective of rehabilitation is to reduce this level of inflammation.  During rehabilitation, we also aim to boost the circulatory system, improve muscle function, increase range of motion within joints, and stimulate innate pain-relieving mechanisms.

With a committed and planned rehabilitation programme, pets can recover more quickly, realise better outcomes and avoid much pain and discomfort.

The best rehabilitation programmes consider the whole pet, not just the area of injury; we target and improve multiple systems throughout the body without forgetting the invaluable healing effects of boosting mental wellbeing too. From the wound healing properties of laser treatment, and the muscle strengthening of hydrotherapy, to the circulation boosting effects of massage, we will devise a rehabilitation programme to match a pet’s specific requirements.

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The content on this page is for advice and information only and does not represent veterinary guidance or direction. Please always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are worries about your dog.

Osteoarthritis

Condition Guide

Osteoarthritis

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a very common problem in small animals, as it is in humans. It has been estimated that around 4 in every 5 of dogs will be affected by osteoarthritis at some point in their lives.

The condition causes long term degeneration of joints and involves many tissues including cartilage (the white, shiny, low-friction joint surfaces), bone under the cartilage, joint capsule and fluid in the joint (synovial fluid).

Unlike humans where osteoarthritis is usually related to ageing and ‘wear and tear’ of joints, osteoarthritis in dogs usually has a specific underlying cause and is therefore often seen earlier in life. Underlying causes can include developmental conditions such as elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia, ligament rupture and traumatic problems such as broken bones involving a joint.

Once osteoarthritis has started in a joint it cannot be cured and will affect an animal for the rest of his or her life. However, the osteoarthritis can be broadly divided into two forms (1) chronic active osteoarthritis which causes pain and lameness and (2) chronic silent osteoarthritis which may cause stiffness but not pain or lameness.

What are the symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

Affected dogs may show signs of:

  • Stiffness
  • Lameness
  • Joint pain
  • Moaning
  • Restlessness
  • Altered behaviour
  • Reluctance to climb, jump or exercise

How is Osteoarthritis diagnosed?

Joints affected with osteoarthritis are often thickened with a restricted range of movement and muscles on the affected limb  are invariably wasted or reduced in size. Detecting evidence of pain on manipulation of arthritic joints is an important feature that helps distinguish the active and silent forms of the disease.

X-rays are the most common method of diagnosing osteoarthritis and ruling out other possible causes of joint pain and lameness. Images from the X-rays typically include the formation of abnormal bone around the joint. 

How is a Osteoarthritis treated?

Since osteoarthritis cannot be easily cured, the aim of treatment is to convert chronic active osteoarthritis into chronic silent osteoarthritis.

There is no single approach to treatment that is successful in every case, and most dogs need a multi-modal approach.

Medical Management

Since osteoarthritis can be painful, painkillers are usually prescribed. In the long term these can often be reduced or discontinued, although in some animals long term medication is needed. Although long term medication can have a risk of side effects, this risk must be balanced against recurrence of pain from the osteoarthritis if the medication is not given.

Exercise Management

Exercise levels are very important. Initially when a joint is painful it is necessary to decrease exercise, often to just short walks on the lead. In the long term, it is very important to gradually increase exercise as much as possible. This allows pets to remain fit and active and enjoy a good quality of life. However, excessive activity must be avoided since this could cause pain to recur. There is no golden rule as to how much exercise an animal with osteoarthritis can have, since all patients are different; instead, exercise levels need to be tailored to the individual animal.

Weight Management

Weight control is also very important. Pets that are an ideal weight have fewer painful episodes and less progression of osteoarthritis than overweight animals. Prescription diets may be needed in some animals to help with weight loss.

Supplements

Long term food supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin and green lipped muscle extract have been proposed to help reduce the progression of osteoarthritis in the joint. Whilst these products are very popular and are safe, it should be borne in mind that there is very little proof of their effectiveness.

Foods containing omega-3-fatty acids can have a natural anti-inflammatory action which may help to relieve discomfort associated with osteoarthritis. Supplements (such as evening primrose oil) or special prescription diets can be used.

Complementary Therapies

Physiotherapy and hydrotherapy can be useful in some pets to help maintain fitness and muscle mass.

Some arthritic dogs can benefit from regular hydrotherapy sessions, which can help improve joint range of movement and maintain muscle mass. Swimming, as a non-weight bearing exercise, can also be a useful activity to assist with weight loss, when normal exercise may not be well tolerated.

These therapies need to be discussed carefully with your vet before being started, to avoid making painful joints worse.

Orthopaedic rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is a process which aims to maximise patient mobility and wellbeing, returning them to their usual way of life following illness, injury or surgery. We restore pets to normal function (or as close as is possible), efficiently and safely using a wide variety of physiotherapeutic techniques.

Injury and even surgery can disrupt the body’s equilibrium in all sorts of direct and indirect ways. Even a pet’s own protective responses such as the inflammatory process can overwhelm and inhibit healing so one objective of rehabilitation is to reduce this level of inflammation.  During rehabilitation, we also aim to boost the circulatory system, improve muscle function, increase range of motion within joints, and stimulate innate pain-relieving mechanisms.

With a committed and planned rehabilitation programme, pets can recover more quickly, realise better outcomes and avoid much pain and discomfort.

The best rehabilitation programmes consider the whole pet, not just the area of injury; we target and improve multiple systems throughout the body without forgetting the invaluable healing effects of boosting mental wellbeing too. From the wound healing properties of laser treatment, and the muscle strengthening of hydrotherapy, to the circulation boosting effects of massage, we will devise a rehabilitation programme to match a pet’s specific requirements.

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Our friendly and skilled physiotherapists are ready to help you and your dog with their rehabilitation.

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The content on this page is for advice and information only and does not represent veterinary guidance or direction. Please always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are worries about your dog.

Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE)

Condition Guide

Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE)

What is Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE)?

An FCE occurs when a piece of fibrous cartilage causes a block to blood vessels to an area of the spinal cord. The fibrous cartilage originates from the soft centre of the intervertebral disc. It is commonly compared to ‘stroke’ in the spinal cord. The altered blood flow to the spinal cord causes a lack of oxygen to the neurons and they can become dysfunctional and lead to the clinical presentation associated with FCE.

What are the signs of Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE)?

Affected dogs may show signs of:

  • Pain following activity
  • One sided limb dysfunction
  • Loss of control from weakness to total paralysis in hind limbs

How is Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE) diagnosed?

The clinical history will guide our specialist neurologists to the presumptive diagnosis of an FCE, however MRI diagnostic imaging will confirm this. 

How is Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE) treated?

Surgery is not usually considered in the management of an FCE. Intensive Physiotherapy is the primary treatment to ensure the full recovery of your dog. Ideally in the first instance treatments will be daily.

Neurological Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation therapy is a key component in helping aid the recovery from neurological diseases. Once the vet has diagnosed your pet and completed any surgeries, our team can can step in to aid the long road to recovery.

Initial therapy may include standing exercises, as well as range of motion exercises. These are complimented with pain control and toe pinch exercises. An important part of the retraining is aquatic rehabilitation. Often, with more severe cases, one of our trained neurological hydro therapists will assist the dog whist in our underwater treadmill.

Other exercises include balance exercises, core stability and spacial resistance band walking, physio-roll balancing and home specific exercises. In the hydrotherapeutic environments, the dogs will walk and train with resistance against the water, whether walking or swimming. We also use therapeutic electrotherapies to deep-heat muscles, cryotherapy and laser therapy to aid the recovery process.

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The content on this page is for advice and information only and does not represent veterinary guidance or direction. Please always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are worries about your dog.

Spondylosis deformans

Condition Guide

Spondylosis deformans

What is Spondylosis deformans?

Spondylosis deformans is a condition that affects the vertebral bones of the spine and is best characterised by the presence of bony spurs or osteophytes along the edges of the bones of the spine.

A bony spur may develop in a single spot on the spine; more commonly, there will be multiple bone spurs in several different locations along the spine.

The most common places that spondylosis deformans lesions develop are along the thoracic vertebrae (chest), especially at the junction between the rib cage and the abdomen, in the lumbar spine (lower back) and in the lumbosacral spine (around the hips and back legs). In some cases the bony spurs may become large enough that they appear to form a complete bridge between adjacent vertebral bones.

Spondylosis deformans is a chronic condition that is associated with aging. Research indicates that it often develops as a secondary problem related to degenerative disease of the intervertebral discs.

What are the symptoms of Spondylosis deformans?

Most dogs with spondylosis deformans are free of any symptoms. Affected dogs may show signs of:

  • Restrictive spinal movement
  • May appear stiffer
  • Pain in the back or hind legs
  • Lameness in hind limbs
  • Neurological delays

How is Spondylosis deformans diagnosed?

This condition is usually diagnosed from X-rays of the spine. In some cases, it may be an ‘incidental finding’ that is noticed when radiographs are taken for some other reason.

How is a Spondylosis deformans treated?

Treatment recommendations depend on the individual dog and whether or not it is showing any clinical signs.

Most dogs with spondylosis deformans appear to be pain-free and in these cases treatment is not necessary. If the pet appears to be painful, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other analgesics may provide relief. Physiotherapy, weight loss, and controlled exercise programs may be helpful in some cases.

In rare cases, the osteophytes may be causing spinal cord compression, and in these cases, surgery to remove them may be indicated.

Orthopaedic rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is a process which aims to maximise patient mobility and wellbeing, returning them to their usual way of life following illness, injury or surgery. We restore pets to normal function (or as close as is possible), efficiently and safely using a wide variety of physiotherapeutic techniques.

Injury and even surgery can disrupt the body’s equilibrium in all sorts of direct and indirect ways. Even a pet’s own protective responses such as the inflammatory process can overwhelm and inhibit healing so one objective of rehabilitation is to reduce this level of inflammation.  During rehabilitation, we also aim to boost the circulatory system, improve muscle function, increase range of motion within joints, and stimulate innate pain-relieving mechanisms.

With a committed and planned rehabilitation programme, pets can recover more quickly, realise better outcomes and avoid much pain and discomfort.

The best rehabilitation programmes consider the whole pet, not just the area of injury; we target and improve multiple systems throughout the body without forgetting the invaluable healing effects of boosting mental wellbeing too. From the wound healing properties of laser treatment, and the muscle strengthening of hydrotherapy, to the circulation boosting effects of massage, we will devise a rehabilitation programme to match a pet’s specific requirements.

I'm ready to get some help for my dog

Ready to get some help?

Our friendly and skilled physiotherapists are ready to help you and your dog with their rehabilitation.

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The content on this page is for advice and information only and does not represent veterinary guidance or direction. Please always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are worries about your dog.