Avonvale Veterinary Centres offer a well-equipped and comprehensive physiotherapy service for your pets.
Poppy Carroll, our Registered Veterinary Nurse has been with Avonvale since 2010 and has since qualified as a Veterinary Physiotherapist. Poppy is a fully insured small animal physiotherapist who is registered with ASSVAP (Association for the Scientific Study of Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapy).
We recognise that a multimodal approach is imperative when it comes to patient care. There are many benefits to physiotherapy and when we combine this knowledge with veterinary care and hydrotherapy we can make our patients stronger, happier and healthier.
Recognising the need for physiotherapy
Animals, just like people can suffer sprains and strains, and have bad backs, sore hips, aches and pains. To keep them comfortable physiotherapy could be a treatment option.
For your pet to receive physiotherapy, a referral will need to be done by the treating veterinary surgeon.
Veterinary physiotherapy can help with the management of:
- Arthritis
- Rehabilitation before and after orthopaedic surgery
- Soft tissue injuries- tendon, ligament or muscular
- Neurological rehabilitation
- Angular limb deformities
- Weight management
The following signs may indicate the need for an appointment:
- Struggling to get up or showing stiffness or weakness
- Overweight
- Limping
- Reluctance to play or less enthusiasm to get moving
- Painful or swollen joints
- Licking their joints
- Slowing down on walks
What to expect when you come for an appointment
Your appointment will need to be made at our Kenilworth practice. This will include an assessment and will reflect the veterinary surgeon’s recommendation. Following on from the assessment manual therapy, laser, ultrasound, muscle stimulation and/ or exercises will be chosen on an individual plan tailored to your animal’s needs. There will be padded floor mats and bedding available to ensure your pet is comfortable during the appointment.
The treatments chosen will be dependent on your pet’s response and this will also determine the number of treatments needed. This will be discussed with you during your appointment.
Treatments that may be included:
- Manual techniques for joints and soft tissues
- Proprioception and balance exercises
- Ultrasound
- Laser
- Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
- Tailored treatment and exercise plan for your animal- this includes fun animal gym equipment!
After your pet’s treatment
Your animal may drink more water than normal after their treatment and may be lethargic so an easy afternoon with a gentle walk and perhaps a nap or two will be adequate.
If you feel that physiotherapy may be an option for your pet, Poppy or your Veterinary Surgeon will be more than happy to talk things through with you.
To make an appointment please call the Kenilworth surgery on 01926 854181
Hi I’m Jaz, a student vet nurse at the Stratford surgery of Avonvale Veterinary Centres. After working with horses until the age of 25 and with a Bsc (Hons) in Equine Science under my belt, I felt it was time for a career change. I have always loved all animals from a young age and so I felt veterinary nursing may be the career for me.
ust as the winter weather was setting in a member of the public bought a small hedgehog into our Stratford upon Avon surgery. He had been found in the middle of a car park during daylight hours. At just 97g he would not have survived the winter.Denni, one of our nurses, took him in. Over winter she kept him warm and well fed. His favourite food was meal worms but as these have little nutritional value they were rationed to encourage him to eat his healthier hedgehog mix. Over the winter he has grown big and strong, now weighing in at a healthy 700g.
Leave areas of wilderness in your garden where hedgehogs can snuffle for insects. Place a small hedgehog house to provide a safe place for them to hibernate during winter. A small hole in your fence will allow visiting hedgehogs to pass through. In the past people used to mark visiting hedgehogs with a little paint so they know if they return but the paint may be harmful and also makes it easier for predators to spot them.
He was given symptomatic treatment to stop his vomiting but when he didn’t improve, vet Emily did an ultrasound scan of his abdomen to check for any underlying problems. One area of Marley’s intestine looked distended and there was some abnormal fluid in his abdomen. This made Emily suspect there may be a blockage, and she recommended surgery to look for the cause.
Marley was found to have a peach stone blocking his intestine which was the cause of his vomiting. Once the stone was removed, Marley recovered really well and went home a couple of days later.