Honor Collins Veterinary Physiotherapy

10/10/2025

🐾Fun Fact Friday 🐾

Did you know that approximately 80% of dogs over 8 years old and 40% of dogs over 4 years old show signs of arthritis, even if subtle?

Arthritis doesn’t just affect older dogs, it can start much earlier than most owners realise.
Here are some signs to look out for:
⚡️ Slowing down on walks or reluctance to go as far
⚡️ Stiffness after resting, especially in the morning
⚡️ Hesitation to jump into the car, onto furniture, or climb stairs
⚡️ Licking or chewing at joints
⚡️ Behavioural changes – grumpiness, restlessness, or sleeping more

💪 How physiotherapy can help:
🔹Improves joint mobility and flexibility
🔹Strengthens supporting muscles to reduce joint strain
🔹Enhances circulation to aid comfort and healing
🔹Provides tailored home exercise plans to keep your dog moving comfortably

🏡 Small home changes that can make a big difference:
🔹Keep your dog at a healthy weight, even a little extra can put extra stress on joints
🔹Use ramps or steps instead of jumping into cars or onto furniture
🔹Provide non-slip mats or rugs to prevent slipping on hard floors
🔹Offer a supportive orthopaedic bed in a warm, draught-free area
🔹Keep your dog active with gentle, regular exercise rather than short bursts

Physiotherapy supports your dog’s comfort, mobility, and quality of life, helping them stay happy and active for longer 💙

📥If you’d like advice on keeping your dog mobile and pain-free, message me to find out how physiotherapy could help.

05/10/2025

📅 Diary now open for the rest of the year!

I’m a Master’s degree-qualified, RAMP-registered, and fully insured Veterinary Physiotherapist, offering a friendly and professional mobile service across Essex and surrounding areas.

Veterinary physiotherapy is a science-led approach to improving your animal’s mobility, comfort, and performance.
Just like in people, physiotherapy can:
🔹 Support recovery after injury or surgery
🔹Help manage long-term conditions such as arthritis
🔹Maintain and enhance performance in active or competition animals

💷 Prices:
🐴 Equine: £50
🐶 Canine: £40
🐱 Small Animal (cats & rabbits): £30

📩 Pop me a message to ask a question, check availability, or find out how physiotherapy could help your animal.
📞 07932 817626

01/10/2025

25/09/2025

💪✨ Rehab Success Spotlight: Kenny ✨💪

Kenny is currently undergoing rehabilitation following a DDFT injury. Working in close collaboration with his veterinary surgeon, we’ve developed a tailored programme and in just four short weeks he’s already showing incredible progress! 🐎

A huge shoutout to his wonderfully dedicated humans, who have been amazing at keeping up with all of Kenny’s prescribed exercises. Their commitment is a big part of why he’s thriving. 💙

Swipe to see some of the changes we’ve noticed so far, this is just the beginning for this handsome boy! 🐴

23/09/2025

Not your usual physio weekend… 🐾✨

This weekend I swapped rehab plans for paw-sitive vibes at London Pet Show Live! I had an amazing time soaking up knowledge from fellow industry experts, meeting some seriously cute animals, and watching some talented doggy actors and dancers strut their stuff 🎬🐶 I also got to meet some of our local heroes from the London Retired Police Dogs charity🐕‍🦺💙

18/09/2025

Veterinary Physiotherapy for Animals Across Essex

Hi everyone 👋 I’m Honor, a level 7 qualified and insured Veterinary Physiotherapist (Master’s Degree, RAMP registered), based in Benfleet.

A physio session with me is all about understanding your animal as an individual. Every appointment includes:
🔹Posture & biomechanical assessment
🔹Full body palpation to assess soft tissues
🔹Range of motion testing of joints
🔹Neurological and spinal examination

Each treatment is bespoke. Depending on your animal’s needs, sessions may include:
🔹Manual therapies (massage, myofascial & fascial release techniques)
🔹Stretching, joint mobilisation exercises
🔹Advanced Electrotherapies (NMES, TENS, PEMF)
🔹Kinesiology taping
🔹Targeted exercise prescription and tailored treatment plan for ongoing support

The aim is to support movement, comfort, and performance, for everyday life, recovery, or competition.

💷 £50 per horse | £40 per dog

📩 Message me to book or find out how physiotherapy could help your animal.
📞 07932 817626

10/09/2025

Hormones play a key role in protecting your dog’s joints!🦴🐾

A groundbreaking study of over 20,000 dogs found that dogs neutered or spayed too early were at the highest risk of cruciate ligament injury. The risk dropped sharply for dogs that kept their natural hormones longer, around 2.2 years for males and 2.9 years for females. Showing that timing really matters.

This is the largest and most detailed study of its kind, proving just how important hormone exposure is for long-term joint and soft tissue health.

The takeaway: Waiting a little longer to neuter or spay could make a big difference for your dog’s joints🐶

Read the full paper here👇🏼

Low, D., 2025. Cumulative gonadal hormone exposure is nonlinearly associated with risk of canine cranial cruciate ligament disease: a generalised additive model analysis of 20,590 dogs (1988-2023). Journal of Small Animal Practice.

09/09/2025

✨ Meet Atlas ✨
Atlas was referred for physiotherapy following a dorsal laminectomy, a surgical procedure designed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Spinal compression can develop for several reasons, including intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), and often affects mobility, strength, and comfort.

📸 The first photo shows the wonderful Atlas after 6 weeks of dedicated physiotherapy rehab, enjoying some fresh air and a well-earned rest break in between his exercises! 🐾
The second photo takes us back to shortly after his surgery. He has come such a long way already, and we’re so proud of his progress. Huge credit also goes to his amazing dad, who has been brilliant at following his rehab plan and helping Atlas reach each milestone along the way! 💙

05/09/2025

💡Fun Fact Friday💡

As part of my ongoing CPD, I’ve trained in advanced fascial techniques and invested in a Fascial Edge Tool. A specialist instrument designed to target areas of dehydrated or tense fascia. By working with this tool, I can:
✔️ Release restrictive fascia and fibrous tissue
✔️ Improve circulation and flexibility
✔️ Reduce muscle tension
✔️ Support whole-body biomechanics and comfort

This means I can go beyond standard massage, reaching deeper tissue more effectively and helping horses move with greater ease and freedom.

💡 Fascia really is the hidden web that connects it all and when it’s cared for, the whole horse benefits!

04/09/2025

📅 My diary is open to new and existing customers!

I'm a fully qualified, RAMP registered & insured Veterinary Physiotherapist (Masters/Level 7) offering a friendly, professional mobile service across Essex and surrounding areas.

Whether your horse or dog is competing, recovering from injury, showing signs of discomfort, or just deserves some TLC, physiotherapy can help improve comfort, mobility, and performance💪🐴🐾

🩵 Treatments are tailored to each horse and may include: massage, stretching, TENS, PEMF, kinesiology taping, fascial release & more.

💷 🐶£40 - 🐴 £50 per appointment
📍Based in Bowers Gifford, covering Essex & surrounds
📩 Pop me a message to ask a question or check availability!

03/09/2025

🦴 Understanding Osteoarthritis in Horses & Dogs 🦴

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive joint disease where the cartilage that cushions the joints gradually breaks down. This leads to pain, inflammation, reduced mobility, and changes in how the joint functions. Over time, bony changes can develop, as seen in the comparison image, the healthy hip on the left versus a severely arthritic hip on the right.

OA is common in both dogs and horses, especially as they age or after injury. Affected animals may show:
🔹Stiffness, especially after rest
🔹Difficulty rising, jumping, or moving freely
🔹Lameness or uneven gait
🔹Muscle loss around affected joints

While osteoarthritis cannot be cured, veterinary physiotherapy can make a huge difference. Targeted physiotherapy:
🔹Helps maintain or improve joint mobility
🔹Reduces pain through soft tissue techniques, stretching, and low-impact exercises
🔹Strengthens surrounding muscles to support the joint and improve function
🔹Improves overall comfort, posture, and quality of life

💙 In short, physiotherapy doesn’t reverse OA, but it optimises movement, reduces discomfort, and helps your animal stay active and happy for longer.

If your horse or dog is showing signs of stiffness, lameness, or discomfort, physiotherapy could help them move more comfortably and maintain their quality of life.

📩 Message me to discuss how I can support your horse or dog with osteoarthritis.