FAQs | My Site

Dedication + Passion + Expertise

Why Veterinary Rehabilitation Services?

Veterinary Skill + Physical Therapy Techniques =

In-depth patient assessment
Comprehensive written report provided to you and your veterinary team
Multiple treatment modalities available on site
Proven results in improving mobility & quality of life

In addition:

In-patient hospitalisation for rehab treatment is available
Registered veterinary nurses are Low Stress Handling / Fear Free certified
Able to provide assistive device fittings and recommendations on site

Most importantly we are unique to Western Australia because we have:

both a Veterinarian and Registered Veterinary Nurse who are certified with internationally recognised qualifications in Canine Rehabilitation, and
both are actively involved with teaching and advancing the field of veterinary rehabilitation in Australia.

What is "Veterinary Rehabilitation" & how does it differ from "Physiotherapy"?

Veterinary rehabilitation is designed to help pets recover from injury, surgery, or chronic conditions. It focuses on improving comfort, mobility, strength, and overall quality of life.

Rehabilitation may include treatments such as therapeutic exercise, massage, stretching, modalities including laser, PEMF, TENS and extracorporeal shockwave therapy, acupuncture and other pain-relieving or mobility-supporting techniques adapted from the field of human physiotherapy for animals. Each rehabilitation plan is tailored to your pet’s individual needs and condition.

"Physiotherapy" is a protected term by law that can only be used by qualified human Physiotherapists. The equivalent treatment type in animals is referred to as "rehabilitation".

When choosing a rehabilitation provider for your pet, look for practitioners with recognised qualifications such as veterinary diplomates in the American or European Colleges of Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation (VSMR), members of the Australian & New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientist in VSMR, Physiotherapists with a post graduation qualification in animal rehabilitation, or those with a CCRT or CCRP certification.

Which conditions can veterinary rehabilitation treat?

Veterinary rehabilitation can benefit a wide range of pets, including those recovering from surgery, managing osteoarthritis, or dealing with chronic / maladaptive pain, neurological or orthopaedic conditions.

Rehab is also helpful in assessing, treating and improving quality of life for patients suffering from many other conditions including:

Lameness that has not improved with analgesia and rest
Hip dysplasia and luxating patellae (including proactive rehabilitation exercises to prevent deterioration)
Partial cruciate ligament tears
Neurologic disorders causing weakness or paralysis of 1-4 limbs
Pre- and post-operative patients following orthopedic, spinal, and soft tissue surgeries
Amputations
Congenital limb deformities
Myopathies, including post snake envenomation
Hyper / hypo mobile joints
Cats!!

Not sure if your pet or patient can benefit? Just contact us to find out how we can help

What can you expect for your pet's first visit?

For the initial assessment we have the patient dropped in for about 1.5hr (this gives time for your pet to have breaks if needed as there is a bit of standing and handling required).

During this assessment we take videos/pictures of transitional function, gait and posture. We also test strength, measure range of motion in all joints, test muscle flexibility as well as identify any muscles that have started to atrophy or contract as well as looking for any other areas of pain or discomfort.

All our findings are compiled into a report which is discussed with you upon discharge. We will also develop a home exercise program and demonstrate it to you, so you can be doing things at home to help your pet with their mobility. Initially most home programs focus on reducing pain and tension and increasing function and then progressively work on increasing or maintaining strength etc. Please allow 1 hour for your pet's discharge appointment.

Additional visit frequency & costs depend on how many other areas are affected & require treatment, but we can give you an idea of this after the assessment. We recommend a 12-week commitment to rehab for us to be able to effectively determine your pets progress (which is reassessed intermittently throughout the 12 weeks).

Do I stay for my pet's assessment?

In general, we find most pets settle and focus better away from their owners. This also gives us a chance to bond with them and they can learn to trust us (and our treats!). However, we understand many pets may be stressed or anxious in a new environment. If you feel this is not suitable for your pet, please feel free to discuss this with us.

My pet is quite anxious / nervous, will visits be stressful?

Our team is trained in Low Stress / Fear Free Handling, therefore our approach to patient assessment involves minimising stress as much as possible - this can include hands off assessments to begin with. In fact, we often hear from a lot of clients that their pet is much more comfortable and even excited to come to rehab compared to their regular vet visits.

We see many patients referred to us from veterinary behaviourists. Please let us know if you are concerned about your pets behaviour so we can be best prepared to help them.

If your pet receives pre-vet visit sedation / anti-anxiety medications, please give them as dispensed by your vets in preparation for their visit with us. These medications will not affect our musculoskeletal assessment findings.

Do you treat cats?

Yes, we love seeing cats! Although rehab is more commonly discussed for dogs, cats (and even rabbits, birds and other exotic pets) can benefit and respond well to these therapies when they’re handled patiently and in a calm environment.

How often will my pet need to be seen?

Visit frequency will depend on a few factors (pain, areas affected etc.) which will be clearer after the initial assessment. We recommend a 12-week commitment to rehab for us to be able to effectively determine your pets progress (which is reassessed intermittently throughout the 12 weeks).

In general, we may see a patient 1-2x a week initially for 4-6 treatments and then weekly or fortnightly following this. Visit frequency can also depend on your availability and/or finances and we are happy to work with you to get the best outcome for everyone.

My pet has just had surgery; when should I book in?

In most cases, rehabilitation can begin very soon after surgery, depending on your veterinarian’s recommendations and your pet’s procedure.

Early rehabilitation is extremely beneficial because it can:

reduce pain and swelling
improve circulation and healing
maintain joint range of motion, preventing stiffness
maintain muscle strength
support a smoother recovery

We recommend booking as early as possible so we can coordinate the best recovery timeline for your pet.

How do I know it's working?

Your pet will be re-assessed by our veterinarian at regular intervals to ensure improvements are being seen in comfort, function, strength, joint range of motion, muscle tension and flexibility. If we are not seeing improvements we will discuss with you further treatment or diagnostic options.

Do I need a referral?

While we don’t require a referral, we will request a copy of your pets history prior to your initial assessment. This ensures we have a clear understanding of what has been happening with your pet, what treatments or diagnostic tests have been performed and the outcomes.

Will pet insurance cover the costs of treatment?

Most veterinary treatments provided should be covered by pet insurance. However, what is covered and what is not may vary from provider to provider so we recommend you check with them directly.