Veterinary Physiotherapy | Vet Physio Ireland

Veterinary Physiotherapy:

Common conditions treated:

Orthopaedic Injuries & Surgery Rehabilitation: Cruciate ligament injuries (e.g. TPLO rehab), fractures, luxations, joint replacements, and soft tissue repairs.
Neurological Conditions: Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), paresis, paralysis, degenerative myelopathy, vestibular disease, and nerve injuries.
Arthritis & Degenerative Joint Disease: Osteoarthritis management, hip/elbow dysplasia, and chronic joint pain.
Sporting & Working Dogs: Conditioning, injury prevention, conditioning, and return-to-work or competition programs.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Muscle strains, tendon injuries, ligament sprains, and myofascial pain.
Postural & Gait Abnormalities: Compensatory movement patterns, proprioceptive deficits, and balance issues.
Puppy Growth & Development Support: Safe exercise guidance and early intervention for musculoskeletal health.
Post-Surgical Recovery: Support to regain strength, mobility, and function after veterinary procedures.
Chronic Pain & Mobility Support: Managing pain and improving quality of life in senior or chronically ill animals.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

When you arrive, your animal will be given plenty of time to settle in and feel comfortable before we begin the physical exam. Our clinic is designed to be quiet, calm, and low-stress to help your animal relax and feel at ease.

Your first appointment starts with a subjective assessment, where we will chat through your pets history and I will ask questions regarding you pet. Following this, a comprehensive physical assessment will take place to build a complete picture of your animal’s movement, comfort, and overall wellbeing. This typically includes:

Gait assessment – observing how your animal moves at different paces to identify any irregularities, compensations, or signs of discomfort.
Posture and conformation analysis – evaluating body alignment and structure to highlight imbalances or sources of strain.
Range of motion testing – gently assessing how well each joint moves.
Muscle symmetry and tone assessment – checking for differences in muscle bulk, tension, or softness that may indicate weakness or overuse.
Strength and balance evaluation – identifying any loss of stability or coordination.
Palpation of soft tissues and joints – feeling through muscles, tendons, and ligaments to detect tenderness, restriction, or heat.
Neurological and proprioceptive tests – where relevant, assessing coordination, body awareness, and nerve responses.
Special tests – using specific clinical techniques to confirm or rule out particular conditions or injuries.

After the assessment, we’ll talk you through everything we’ve found and create a tailored treatment plan designed specifically for your animal’s needs. You’ll receive a written report summarising our findings, recommendations, and treatment plan, so you know exactly what to expect moving forward.

We’ll also discuss the next steps and what you can do at home to support your animal’s progress.

What Might Treatment Include?

Every treatment plan is individually tailored to suit your animal’s specific needs, condition, and stage of recovery. Depending on the findings from the initial assessment, sessions may include a combination of the following approaches:

Manual therapy techniques – including massage, joint mobilisation, and soft tissue release to relieve tension, improve flexibility, and restore natural movement.
Exercise therapy – targeted exercises to improve strength, coordination, balance, and overall mobility.
Stretching and flexibility work – helping to maintain or increase joint range of motion and reduce stiffness.
Winback/TECAR therapy – a form of radiofrequency treatment that promotes tissue healing, reduces pain, and enhances circulation.
Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) – using specific light wavelengths to encourage cellular repair, decrease inflammation, and support recovery.
PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) therapy – aiding tissue regeneration and pain relief through gentle electromagnetic stimulation.
Education and advice – helping owners understand their animal’s condition, recovery process, and how to support ongoing improvement.
Home exercise programmes – bespoke plans designed to maintain progress and promote long-term wellbeing between sessions.

Each appointment is designed to be calm, positive, and centred around your animal’s comfort, ensuring they receive the best possible care and attention at every stage of their rehabilitation.

FAQ's

Where Do You Treat My Animal?

We offer both home visits and in-clinic appointments, so you can choose whichever option is most convenient and comfortable for your animal.

How much does physiotherapy cost?

One dog: £65

Two or more dogs: £60 per dog (multi-dog discount applies). If you wish to book more than 4 dogs, please contact me for a custom quote.

Do I Need Veterinary Consent Before My Dog Can Be Treated?

Yes — this is a legal requirement under the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966). Veterinary consent ensures your pet receives safe, coordinated care from qualified professionals.

Your vet can complete our simple online referral form, or if you’d prefer, we can provide a Word document version for them to fill out and return.

Will My Insurance Cover Physiotherapy Treatment?

In most cases, pet insurance policies cover physiotherapy when it’s provided by an ACPAT-qualified physiotherapist.
Before starting treatment, it’s a good idea to contact your insurer to confirm what’s included in your policy and whether there are any limits or exclusions.

You’ll pay for each session directly (by BACS, cheque, or cash) and receive a receipt to send to your insurer with your claim form.
Some insurers ask for a section of the form to be completed by your vet or by the physiotherapist — it’s worth checking this in advance to avoid delays.

Please also note that some insurance plans set a maximum number of sessions or a financial cap on physiotherapy, so it’s always best to check the details beforehand.

Cancellation Policy

We kindly ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.
Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice will incur a 50% consultation fee.

What Happens If My Dog Is Anxious or Reactive?

We understand that some dogs may feel nervous, anxious, or unsure during their first visit. With over 10 years of dog training experience, I am skilled at helping anxious or reactive dogs feel safe, confident, and comfortable in new environments.

Our clinic is designed to be calm, quiet, and low-stress, and we offer dedicated appointment slots specifically for nervous or reactive dogs. These sessions allow your dog to gradually get used to me, the clinic, and the treatment process at their own pace.

During these appointments, we use cooperative care training, which encourages your dog to participate voluntarily in their treatment through positive reinforcement, praise, and treats. This approach helps reduce stress and build trust, making treatment both effective and enjoyable.

We also adapt techniques, exercises, and session length to suit your dog’s comfort level, ensuring that every visit is safe, positive, and supportive.