FAQs
What areas do Animal Rehab Partners cover?
We are a mobile service, travelling to your home, yard or place of work, covering Salisbury, Verwood, Bournemouth, Dorchester, Weymouth, Wareham, Bridport and Blandford Forum, if you would like to know if we cover your area, contact us at hello@animalrehabpartners.co.uk
How do I get get a referral?
You can either contact us directly to enquire via hello@animalrehabpartners.co.uk, you can complete an owner consent form via https://www.animalrehabpartners.co.uk/forms or you can discuss physiotherapy with your vet and ask them to complete a referral, we will then contact you directly.
How many appointments will my animal need?
This is highly dependant on what your animal needs, some animals need a course of physiotherapy to support them through a specific rehab period e.g. TPLO, IVDD or Kissing Spines surgery, whereas other animals highly benefit from ongoing support at certain intervals to keep them comfortable long term, in cases such as osteoarthritis, hip/elbow dysplasia and performance. Your therapist will explain what to expect from the rehab, and will work alongside your vet team for the most beneficial course for your animal’s needs.
How long does a session last?
An initial consultation takes up to 90 minutes for a full assessment, treatment and exercise plan, and follow up sessions last up to 60 minutes.
Can I claim physiotherapy on insurance?
Most insurance providers cover the cost of physiotherapy, either under Vet Fees or as a Complementary Treatment. Check your insurance documents to see what you are entitled to. We are unable to process direct claims so you will need to pay for each session up front and claim the cost back via your insurance company.
How do I know if my dog needs physiotherapy?
Signs that your dog may benefit from physiotherapy include limping, stiffness after rest, difficulty getting up, reluctance to exercise, changes in posture, reduced play behaviour, muscle loss, slowing down on walks, or recovering after injury or surgery.
Can physiotherapy help my horse with osteoarthritis?
Absolutely. Physiotherapy is one of the most effective ways to help manage osteoarthritis. Treatment may include electrotherapeutics, manual therapy and a targeted exercise therapy to improve mobility and maintain muscle strength.
Can cats benefit from physiotherapy?
We have a number of cat patients who benefit from physiotherapy, these sessions can look slightly different to dog and horse sessions to ensure your cat feels safe and comfortable. Most commonly we see cats who are struggling to jump onto furniture, show a recent aversion to being groomed and following injuries such as bone fractures and muscle tears.
What happens during an animal physiotherapy appointment?
Your first appointment includes a detailed history, movement assessment, gait analysis, orthopaedic exam, physical examination and neurological assessment (if needed). A treatment plan is then created, which may include hands-on therapy, electrotherapeutics, rehabilitation exercises, advice for home management and ongoing progress monitoring.
How soon after surgery can my pet start physiotherapy?
The start point for physiotherapy is usually dictated by the veterinary surgeon who performed the surgery. We tend to try and start as soon after surgery/injury as possible, allowing us to implement immediate post-operative care and guidance for you and your pet.
Do you offer hydrotherapy?
As we are a mobile service, we do not offer hydrotherapy services, however we have multiple hydrotherapy centres we work closely with, and we can guide the hydrotherapy team on a suitable hydrotherapy plan for your pet following a physiotherapy assessment.
Look for a qualified animal physiotherapist who is appropriately insured, experienced in treating your animal's condition, recommended by your vet team and provides evidence-based rehabilitation programmes. Our physiotherapy team are registered with ACPAT, IRVAP, AHPR and RAMP, we complete a set number of continued professional development hours a year, and maintain strong relationship with the veterinary professionals in the South Wiltshire and Dorset areas.
How do I find the best animal physiotherapist near me?
I’ve always suspected something was strange about my animals gait or posture, can I book for an assessment for peace of mind?
Absolutely, a physiotherapy assessment includes a detailed assessment of you animal, looking at how they stand, move, transition and perform certain tasks. With a hands on assessment looking at joint range of motion, signs of muscle or joint pain, identifying muscle asymmetry, heat and swelling. These findings can then be relayed to your vet if investigations are recommended, or they can be used to put together a treatment plan to help keep your animal flexible, mobile and comfortable.