Liv Free

08/08/2025

🐾💥Nuggets of knowledge💥🐾

A closer look @ Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) Injuries in Dogs 🐕🐩

💫 Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries are common orthopedic problems in canines.
💫 This ligament, similar to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in humans, plays a crucial role in stabilising your dog's knee joint. When the CCL is injured, it can lead to pain, lameness, and long-term joint issues if not treated appropriately.

📍 Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)📍

An effective surgical treatment for CCL injuries in our dogs, is the Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy or TPLO.
📌 This procedure involves altering the mechanics of the knee joint by leveling the tibial plateau, which helps stabilise the joint without relying solely on the CCL. 🐶

➡️ Importance of Exercise Prescription and Veterinary Physiotherapy

⏩️ Exercise Prescription

Post-operative care is essential to ensure a successful recovery from TPLO surgery. An exercise prescription is a tailored plan that includes specific activities to gradually increase your dogs strength and mobility. These exercises help in regaining muscle mass, improving joint flexibility, and preventing further injury.
A structured, personal exercise plan is vital for maintaining the long-term health of the joint and enhancing the overall quality of life for your dog.

⚕️ Veterinary Physiotherapy

Vet physio plays a critical role in the rehabilitation process following a TPLO surgery.
🐶 A vet physio will use a variety of techniques, such as massage, hydrotherapy, and controlled exercises, to aid in the recovery process.
🐕‍🦺 These therapies help reduce inflammation, manage pain, and promote healing by improving blood circulation and muscle strength.
🦮 Physiotherapy ensures that your dog regains functionality of its leg, increases range of motion, and reduces the risk of complications or chronic pain.

While the journey from injury to recovery can be long, it is incredibly rewarding for the owners and the veterinary professionals to witness your fur babies transformation and improvement 🐶

The combination and collaberation of a multi facetted team of surgical intervention and dedicated post-operative care, ensures that our fur babies can return to their scope of an active and joyful life and bringing happiness to their owners and their families 🫶💫😺🥰🐾

For more info or to ask any questions, drop me a message on my business whats app or drop me an email on [email protected] 📣☎️📲💻📟

03/08/2025

Between Liv Free, my work with the canine rehabilitation co., midsussex microchipping and juggling multiple other roles like the farm, kids and cleaning.... there's never a dull moment! 🌪✨️🐾

💫Claw Clipping & Microchipping - both kittens and puppies this week, ensuring their claws are neatly clipped and microchips are in place for safety and legality.

💫Vet Physiotherapy - Providing physiotherapy sessions to both canine and equine clients, helping them recover and maintain their well-being. Although still a student in my final year, I am incredibly lucky to be learning on the job.

💫Equine and Canine Massage - This weeks focus in Equine Massage and Physiotherapy was for aging and veteran horses. 🐴🐕
🐎 As horses age, they often encounter a variety of health challenges. Equine massage and physiotherapy can play a critical role in managing these age-related conditions, improving their quality of life, and maintaining optimal functionality. The benefits of Equine Massage and Physiotherapy include -
📌 Pain Relief - Massage can alleviate muscle tension and soreness, providing relief from chronic pain conditions.
📌Improved Circulation - Techniques like effleurage and petrissage enhance blood flow and lymphatic drainage, promoting healing and reducing inflammation.
📌Increased Range of Motion - Regular physiotherapy could help maintain flexibility in joints, crucial for aging horses who may suffer from stiffness.
📌 Enhanced Muscle Tone - Targeted exercises and massages keep muscles strong and preventing atrophy.
📌 Stress Reduction - Gentle massage can calm the nervous system, reducing anxiety and stress, which is beneficial for older horses.

✨️ Key Exercises and Massage Techniques ✨️
📍 Passive Stretching - Helps maintain joint flexibility and muscle elasticity.
📍 Myofascial Release - Addresses tightness in connective tissues, improving mobility.
📍 Joint Mobilisation - Increases joint range of motion and reduces discomfort.
📍 Hydrotherapy - with the Canine Rehab company's mobile underwater treadmill, 🌊 we can Utilise water resistance and buoyancy to strengthen muscles without overloading joints.

💫 This week has also involved Canine Post-Surgical Rehab and Maintenance 😊
🐕 In dogs, post-surgical rehabilitation and the management of chronic conditions like degenerative myelopathy or intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) are crucial for recovery and quality of life.
🦊 Canine Rehabilitation can catalyse recovery - Post-surgical rehab aids and exercise prescription can help in quicker recovery by improving mobility, reducing pain and inflammation.
🐺 Prevention of Muscle Atrophy - Regular exercises prevent the loss of muscle mass, common in recovery periods.
🦊Improved Functionality - Rehabilitation helps regain strength, proprioception and coordination which are essential for daily activities.
🐺 Enhanced Quality of Life - Overall health and happiness are increased when the dogs condition can be maintained or aiding them in moving or living more comfortably.

🩺Rehabilitation and exercise prescription.
🐕‍🦺 Controlled Lead Walking - Encourages weight-bearing and coordination without overexertion.
🐕 Weight shifting and loading exercises to improve core strength and balance.
🙏 Massage Therapy - Focuses on reducing muscle spasms and improving circulation.
💪 Range of Motion Exercises - Gentle joint flexion and extension to maintain flexibility.
🐶 Both equine and canine therapies require a tailored approach that considers the individual animal’s needs, health status, and specific conditions. Collaborating with vets and other professionals ensures the best outcomes for our fur babies 🐕🐴

💫I'm continuously learning and feel incredibly privileged to do what i do. Each day brings new insights and experiences, making me even more passionate about my career. 🩵

💫On top of it all that, I'm also working hard on the rest of my uni work, including my dissertation and preparing for my finals in the new year 🫣😵‍💫😦

💫 The rewards are really worth it, and solidifies how much I want to make a difference. To also be able to show my kids, that through hard work, graft and determination, no matter whats thrown at you......dreams are possible 💪 ❤️ 🫶 👊🐴🐶

Like to know more? 🤔 Drop me a message or visit my website for information or booking an appointment - livfree.co.uk 📘🖊

22/05/2025

When the owner takes pictures and videos of their very relaxed furbaby 🥹💙😅

It really is rewarding when they enjoy it so much and you start to see the benefits 💪❤️

He also makes me look very short in 1 picture 😂🙃

13/05/2025

Exciting times at the Canine rehab co!! 🐕🎉🍾🐶

Proud to be part of the team!! 😁💙

03/05/2025

Just wanted to apologise for the radio silence on here recently. It has been a really tough couple of months on the farm. From losing my father in law, my mum and then having a car crash. It's been a lot to contend with mentally and physically.

But we carry on, make the best out of what we have been given and to be honest, the animals and my work is my saviour and solice.

I have unfortunately had to defer my last year of uni to next year. But I know I will be an even better vet physio from this and have not dropped out or given up. Far from it. Just starting to process how horrendous this past year has been.

There are some positive new ventures on the horizon at Liv free!

So, onwards and upwards gaining more work, jobs and lots of experiance within Liv free and my new job at the canine rehab co.
Watch this space 👌💪😁

Picture of Balloo in our bluebells for cuteness ☺️💙😊

27/11/2024

Uni pics 🤓

26/11/2024

This little guy @ how to train your human horse rescue & therapeutic experiance, is quiet, tiny and very tense 🥹♥️

He was a little nervous and slightly guarded on his 1st assess and treat, but now after a few sessions, it's a pleasure to to see him relaxing and enjoying our sessions 💙

Notice the lick and chew while he is releasing 🙌🫶🙌

19/11/2024

Boss and Riley patiently waiting for their treatment time 🙌 💙🙌

Going to be a cold and damp one today guys 🤷‍♀️🤣👍

17/11/2024

This is the cookie monster 🍪🐶

This week, cookie was a superstar, getting involved in some pole work, a wobble cushion and some good old fashioned squirty cheese 😎 Learning all the exercises she can do at home 🏡 👌

She is such a little star and loves her treatments 💙

15/11/2024

👏 👍👌

Cruciate inflammation, partial or full rupture can present as a sudden painful, non-weight bearing lameness.

Either with conservative management or while waiting for surgery, some immediate actions can be taken to improve the outcome for the patient.

Weight management - there will be a sudden reduction in calorie expenditure due to the fact exercise will be restricted. Ensure calorie intake is reduced to match. It is crucial the patient doesn’t put on weight.

Home environment adjustments - non-slip surfaces should be placed around the home where the dog will walk and especially around corners. No free climbing up stairs, you can discuss assisting the dog upstairs if they will be very distressed about being left downstairs. Padding about in distress is often worse than assisting the patient upstairs to sleep wither their owners.

Treatment with Electrophysical Therapy - treatments such as ultrasound therapy, laser and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy can help to modulate pain and inflammation.

Take quick action on these points to throw some water on the cruciate fire 🔥

15/11/2024

Interesting visual comparison for the human foot and hand and the horses front and back legs 🤚 🦶 🐎🐴

07/11/2024

🤷‍♀️Why choose Veterinary Physiotherapy? 🤷‍♀️

Veterinary physiotherapy, I feel, is an essential service that can significantly enhance the quality of life for animals. Just like humans, animals can benefit from physiotherapy to manage pain, recover from injuries, and improve mobility.
I thought we could explore a few reasons why one might consider seeking the services of a veterinary physiotherapist for your pet or animal 🧐
🐎
1. Rehabilitation After Surgery
Animals that undergo surgery, particularly orthopedic surgeries, often require rehabilitation to regain full function. Vet physios can design tailored recovery plans that utilise exercises and techniques to aid in healing and restore mobility.
🐴🐕🐎🫏🐕‍🦺🐴
2. Pain Management
Chronic pain from conditions such as arthritis or injuries can significantly impact an animal’s quality of life. Veterinary physiotherapists use techniques like massage, laser therapy, and hydrotherapy to alleviate pain, aid healing and improve comfort.
🐴🐕🐎🫏🐕‍🦺🐴
3. Improving Mobility and Strength
Older animals or those with congenital conditions may experience mobility issues. A vet physio can help improve strength, coordination, and balance through targeted exercises, enhancing the animal’s ability to move and reducing the risk of further injury.
🐴🐕🐎🫏🐕‍🦺🐴
4. Weight Management Support
Obesity is a common issue in pets that can lead to other health problems. Veterinary physiotherapy can be part of a weight management plan, incorporating safe exercises that promote weight loss while maintaining muscle mass.
🐴🐕🐎🫏🐕‍🦺🐴
5. Enhancing Athletic Performance
For working animals or those involved in sports, maintaining peak physical condition is crucial. Vet physios can develop training programs that focus on conditioning, flexibility, and injury prevention to optimize performance.
🐴🐕🐎🫏🐕‍🦺🐴
6. Post-Injury Recovery
If an animal has suffered an injury, such as a sprain or fracture, vet physio can facilitate recovery. Techniques like stretching, controlled exercises, and hydrotherapy can help speed up healing and minimize the risk of re-injury.
🐴🐕🐎🫏🐕‍🦺🐴
7. Neurological Rehabilitation
Animals with neurological conditions, such as those resulting from a spinal injury or disease, can benefit from physiotherapy to improve neural function and regain as much independence as possible.
🐴🐕🐎🫏🐕‍🦺🐴
8. Holistic Health Approach
Veterinary physiotherapy is part of a holistic approach to animal health care that considers the animal’s overall well-being. It can complement other veterinary treatments and contribute to a more comprehensive care plan.
🐴🐕🐎🫏🐕‍🦺🐴
In summary, veterinary physiotherapy offers numerous benefits for animals of all ages and conditions. Whether it's for recovery from surgery, managing chronic pain, maintenance or enhancing performance, a vet physio can provide specialised care to improve an animal's quality of life 🫶

🐕🐎🫏🐕‍🦺🐴🐩🦮🐈🐈‍⬛🐇🐾