My Pet Physio & Hydro

26/07/2025

I get asked quite a bit about which dogs might benefit from physio or hydrotherapy. The answer is I see all sorts of different dogs for:

• Rehabilitation following surgery or injury.

• Dogs with mobility issues or weakness from conditions such as Osteoarthritis, Dysplasia, Neurological decline etc.

• Strength and conditioning for sporting dogs to help performance and prevent injuries.

• Puppy water confidence sessions to checked they can swim and get to safety (lots of dogs can’t swim!).

• Just for fun to help keep dogs fit in a different mentally stimulating environment.

Contact me to find out more on 07432 201678 or [email protected]. My Pet Physio & Hydro is on the A6 between Chorley and Bamber Bridge, PR6 7JE.

11/07/2025

There is a video doing the rounds at the moment which is giving completely the opposite advice to what you should do if your dog experiences heat stroke. Please please listen to this actual vet called Cat who is giving the correct advice.

WET WET WET THEN VET! Use whatever water is available close by, it will not induce cold shock if it is from your tap or hose, but please run the hose briefly first to remove any hot water in the pipe.

The below is from the current RVC veterinary advice:

1) Take your pet somewhere cool, ideally a well ventilated area or use a fan

2) Offer them small sips of water (do not force them to drink)

3) Cold water immersion is an effective approach for young, healthy dogs

4) Evaporation method: Pouring water of any temperature that is cooler than your dog over them and combine with air movement from a breeze, fan, or air conditioning (evaporative cooling) for older dogs or dogs with underlying health problems.

5) If you cannot use the evaporation method, cool them down by pouring/hosing cool water on them. It’s important not to use ice-cold water as this can reduce blood flow to the skin, reducing their ability to cool down or even cause them to shiver, increasing heat generation.

6) Once you’ve started these steps, call your vets who will be able to advise you further. Even if your pet seems to be ok it’s important to have them checked (unless told otherwise), as the more serious signs of heatstroke may not be immediately apparent.

https://www.rvc.ac.uk/small-animal-vet/teaching-and-research/fact-files/heatstroke-in-dogs-and-cats

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16hvYj7z6u/?mibextid=wwXIfr

07/07/2025

NEW OPENING TIMES WITH MORE APPOINTMENT SLOTS AVAILABLE 🤩

I have made the leap of faith from the safety net of my other job and I am now running My Pet Physio & Hydro full time. I now have more day time appointments slots available to fit all your lovely pooches in for sessions.

This also means I can dedicate more time to developing some exciting projects and resources to help you manage your pets condition at home.

29/06/2025

When baby brother Rupert decides he wants some cuddles during Winston’s rest breaks too. 🥰

21/06/2025

‘Wet then Vet’
A simple way to remember what you should do if your dog is suffering with heatstroke:

(1) Move them somewhere cool

(2) Quickly cool your pet down by either

Cold water immersion: plunging them into cold water so they are completely covered apart from their head (this is suitable for young, otherwise healthy dogs, but best avoided in older dogs or those with heart or lung problems). You could use a bath, or a paddling pool filled with fresh cold water.
OR

Evaporative cooling: pour cold water (which must be cooler than your dog) over them while also putting them somewhere with air movement (such as next to a fan, a breeze or air conditioning). Using a hose pipe is often most convenient, but be sure to run the water through first, since the water sitting in the pipe can reach very high temperatures on a hot day.

(3) Encourage your dog to keep sipping cold water

(4) Get them to the nearest vet.

(Info from https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2025/06/19/heatstroke-in-dogs-needs-wet-then-vet-but-have-you-heard-of-it/)

19/06/2025

Appointments Friday and Saturday: the clinic will still be open Friday & Saturday as the inside temperature in the clinic will be maintained at a safe temperature with plenty of fans a blowing. However, if you would prefer to rearrange due to the heat, please can you give me as much notice as possible so I can move appointments around. You can also pop back to your car a little before the end of the appointment to put your air con on and I’ll bring them to you once the car is cool enough.

01/06/2025

UNKNOWN FORELIMB LAMENESS: Vets commonly refer cases with this diagnosis to me for a physio & hydro. Once a vet exam and imaging has ruled out a neurological, fracture or ligament related issues, the lameness is potentially caused by an issue in the tendons or muscles.

My role as a physio / hydro is to not diagnose the problem (as only vets are allowed to do this), but to find the musculoskeletal tension, pain and restrictions. I then use my skill set to help alleviate these to aid in restoring normal function and reduce lameness.

For Jaxxon this comprised of *massage to alleviate muscle tension,
*targeted strengthening exercises to engage and build strength in weaker muscles,
* hydro to mobilise the shoulder and engage the thoracic sling of muscles that support it.

Jaxxon hasn’t had lameness for over a year now and has significantly increased his muscle mass. He has continued to swim every other week to help keep his limping at bay.

31/05/2025

Max came for his first Fun&Fitness swim and smashed it.

29/06/2024

Come have a chat with me for advice on fitness and mobility for your pets. 🐶😻

24/06/2024

Wondering if physiotherapy or hydrotherapy could benefit your pet? Come chat to me about your dog’s fitness or mobility at Charlie’s Doggy Daycare & Grooming - Daycare page SUMMER FAIR SAT 29th JUNE at PR5 8AR, 10am - 2pm.

07/06/2024

We are 1 year old! I cannot thank all my customers enough for making this year so much fun and rewarding! We have big things planned for year 2 so watch this space 😜

15/03/2024

Teaching your dog how to lay on their side calmly and on command is such a great skill to teach them. Riley came for a puppy musculoskeletal check up recently and this on command skill was perfect to help me assess her limb function fully. If she ever needs physio in the future this skill would help make applying treatment so much more effective 🥰 Well done Riley and Emma at Confident Canines Dog Training for teaching dogs these life skills. 🤩

Lovely Riley showing off her side present to help with handling skills. 🥰🐾

We cover handling and cooperative care during our weekly Life Skills classes to help build confidence in our dogs so that when any medical interventions are needed, they are comfortable with the process. It's beneficial for grooming!