Pet Performance Physio

Pet Performance Physio Veterinary Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
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A common concern I hear from owners is that their dog is “too old” for physiotherapy once they reach their senior years....
25/06/2026

A common concern I hear from owners is that their dog is “too old” for physiotherapy once they reach their senior years.

Ageing is a natural process, but pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility are not something that should simply be accepted as normal.

Many of the changes seen in older dogs can often be supported and managed effectively.

Senior dogs frequently show subtle signs such as slower walks, difficulty rising, reluctance to jump, or struggling with stairs. These changes can indicate underlying discomfort or reduced function rather than just age alone.

Physiotherapy can play an important role in improving mobility, maintaining strength, reducing stiffness, and increasing overall comfort.

The aim is not to reverse ageing, but to improve quality of life and support dogs to remain as active and comfortable as possible.

Even small improvements can make a meaningful difference to daily function.

Senior dogs are never too old to benefit from physiotherapy.

Comment the word “INFO” below if you’d like more information on how physiotherapy can benefit your senior dog ⬇️

24/06/2026

Ever wonder what we are actually looking for when we guide a dog's leg through these smooth movements?

​It might look like a simple stretch, but this is a hindlimb Range of Motion (ROM) assessment, specifically looking at the hip, stifle (knee) and hock (ankle) joints. To a trained clinical professional, this hands-on test provides vital information about your dog's joint health.

​Here is exactly what is happening in this clip:

​🔹 Feeling the 'End-Feel': By gently flexing and extending the lower joints, my hands can feel exactly where the movement naturally stops. We are checking for any friction, resistance, or structural blocks caused by conditions like arthritis or old injuries.

🔹 Identifying Scar Tissue: If a dog has recovered from something like a cruciate ligament injury, this movement helps us identify hidden scar tissue or tissue tightness that might be causing them to alter their posture.

🔹 Spotting Hidden Restrictions: When a joint cannot flex or extend fully, your dog will naturally shift their weight elsewhere to compensate. This overloads their other legs and spine, leading to secondary pain.

​Managing your dog’s mobility isn't about generic trends or a "quick fix" approach. By mapping out exactly where your dog is restricted under clinical supervision, we can use targeted modalities like Laser or Winback TECAR Therapy, alongside a bespoke Strength & Conditioning plan, to protect their long-term comfort.

​Let's keep them moving happily and safely for years to come. 💙

​📬 Have you noticed your dog taking shorter steps or looking a bit stiff in their back legs? Send us a message today to chat about booking a relaxed physical assessment!

​

One question I get asked a lot is: Why did you move from treating horses to treating dogs?The answer comes down to three...
23/06/2026

One question I get asked a lot is: Why did you move from treating horses to treating dogs?

The answer comes down to three things: commitment, challenge, and job satisfaction.

🐾 More committed owners – I found that canine owners are often highly invested in their dog's rehabilitation journey, following home exercise programmes and celebrating every milestone along the way.

🐾 Greater challenges – Every dog presents a unique combination of personality, lifestyle, breed characteristics, and movement patterns, making each case different and keeping me constantly learning.

🐾 Increased job satisfaction – There's nothing quite like seeing a dog regain confidence, mobility, and comfort, while helping owners feel empowered to support their pet's recovery.

Helping dogs move better, feel better, and get back to doing what they love is why I'm so passionate about what I do. 🐕✨

Want to know what will happen at your senior dogs physiotherapy assessment?As our dogs age, subtle changes in mobility, ...
20/06/2026

Want to know what will happen at your senior dogs physiotherapy assessment?

As our dogs age, subtle changes in mobility, strength, and comfort can often go unnoticed. A thorough physiotherapy assessment allows us to identify these changes early and create a tailored plan to help keep your dog moving comfortably and confidently.

Here’s a step by step process of your geriatric dogs first physiotherapy session:
🔹 Postural Assessment – Evaluating how your dog stands to identify compensatory patterns, weight shifting, muscle loss, or areas of discomfort.
🔹 Gait Analysis – Observing your dog's movement at walk and trot to detect abnormalities, stiffness, lameness, or reduced limb function.
🔹 Functional Testing – Assessing everyday movements such as sitting, standing, turning, and transitioning between positions to evaluate strength, balance, and mobility.
🔹 Full Body Palpation – Feeling muscles, tendons, and soft tissues to identify tension, soreness, muscle wastage, or areas of compensation.
🔹 Joint Range of Motion Assessment – Evaluating the flexibility and movement available within each joint to identify stiffness, restriction, or arthritic changes.

These assessments help build a complete picture of your dog's musculoskeletal health, allowing treatment to be tailored to their individual needs and helping to maintain mobility, comfort, and quality of life for as long as possible. 🐾

Meet Stan!👋🏻🐕 Stan is quiet a nervous chap, especially of women. With the right approach and giving him lots of space, h...
18/06/2026

Meet Stan!👋🏻🐕

Stan is quiet a nervous chap, especially of women. With the right approach and giving him lots of space, he went from anxious to falling asleep during his physio session💤

Part of my service is ensuring all dogs can be included for physiotherapy treatment, including nervous and reactive dogs.

It just means a little more patience, adjusting to the needs of the individual dog, and learning how to read their signals.

From there we can go at a pace that makes your canine friend feel comfortable and safe, so that they can also benefit from physiotherapy treatment.

All dogs should have access to quality care.

Physiotherapy isn't just for senior dogs! 🐶 Many people are surprised to learn that young dogs can benefit from physioth...
16/06/2026

Physiotherapy isn't just for senior dogs! 🐶

Many people are surprised to learn that young dogs can benefit from physiotherapy too.

In fact, starting early can help support healthy development and set them up for a lifetime of comfortable movement.

Benefits of physiotherapy for younger dogs:
✔️ Supports growing bodies during rapid growth phases, helping develop strength, coordination, and healthy movement patterns.
✔️ Identifies subtle issues early, such as muscle imbalances, poor posture, or compensatory movement patterns before they become bigger problems.
✔️ Assists recovery following injury, helping young dogs return safely to normal activity while reducing the risk of re-injury.
✔️ Enhances performance in active and sporting dogs by improving balance, body awareness, strength, and flexibility.
✔️ Helps manage orthopaedic conditions such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and luxating patellas alongside veterinary treatment.

Early intervention isn't just about rehabilitation—it's about prevention, performance, and giving your dog the best possible start in life.

Have you ever considered physiotherapy for your young dog?

Comment the word “INFO” below if you’d like more information on how physiotherapy can assist your young dog ⬇️

15/06/2026

Facing a cranial cruciate ligament diagnosis can leave you feeling completely overwhelmed as a pet parent. Suddenly, you are trying to understand complex anatomy while deciding on the best path forward for your dog. 💔

Generally, the treatment options fall into two main categories:

1. Surgical Intervention 🏥
Often recommended for larger, active dogs or acute ruptures, surgery aims to mechanically stabilise the stifle joint. However, a successful operation is only the beginning. Post-operative physiotherapy is essential to safely guide tissue healing, manage scar tissue, and reverse the rapid muscle wastage that happens during crate rest.

2. Conservative Management 🌱
For some dogs—depending on their age, size, concurrent health conditions, or the degree of the tear—a non-surgical route is chosen. This is not just 'wait and see'. It is an active, dedicated rehabilitation process. We use targeted modalities like Laser and Winback TECAR Therapy to manage discomfort and inflammation, alongside strict pacing and specific exercises to build a natural 'muscular brace' around the joint.

The Common Denominator? Physiotherapy.
Whichever pathway you take alongside your vet, your dog will fundamentally alter how they walk to protect that sore leg. This creates massive compensatory strain on their back and opposite limbs.

At Pet Performance Physio, we design bespoke rehabilitation programmes tailored to support both post-op recovery and strict conservative management, ensuring your dog can return to those priceless everyday moments safely and comfortably.

Are you currently navigating a cruciate injury with your dog? Let us know your questions in the comments, or send us a message to see how we can support your recovery journey. 💙

The secret to your dog's long-term joint health?Routine physiotherapy follow-ups.Here's why they matter:• They help us s...
13/06/2026

The secret to your dog's long-term joint health?

Routine physiotherapy follow-ups.

Here's why they matter:
• They help us spot small changes before they become bigger problems.
• We can monitor your dog's strength, mobility, and overall movement patterns over time.
• Treatment plans can be adjusted as your dog's needs change.
• Regular sessions help maintain muscle mass, joint function, and flexibility.
• Ongoing support can help manage age-related changes and conditions such as arthritis.
• Consistent physiotherapy keeps your dog moving comfortably and confidently.

Physiotherapy isn't just about recovery after injury—it's about protecting your dog's mobility for the future.

Small check-ins today can make a big difference to your dog's quality of life tomorrow.

Is it really just old age, or could it be pain?Many changes we see in our senior dogs are often dismissed as "slowing do...
11/06/2026

Is it really just old age, or could it be pain?

Many changes we see in our senior dogs are often dismissed as "slowing down with age." Reluctance to jump into the car, hesitation on stairs, sleeping more, lagging behind on walks, stiffness after rest, or changes in behaviour are commonly attributed to getting older.

While aging does bring natural changes, it should not automatically mean discomfort or reduced quality of life.

Dogs are incredibly good at adapting and often hide pain until it significantly affects their daily lives.

What may appear to be normal aging can sometimes be a sign of underlying musculoskeletal pain, arthritis, or reduced mobility.

As a canine physiotherapist, one of the most rewarding parts of my job is helping owners recognise the difference. Early assessment and intervention can make a significant difference in maintaining comfort, mobility, and overall wellbeing.

If you've noticed changes in your dog's movement, activity levels, or behaviour, don't assume it's simply old age. It may be their way of telling you they need help.

Whether the cause is aging, pain, or a combination of both, physiotherapy plays an important role in supporting your dog's quality of life either way. Physiotherapy can help dogs stay comfortable, active, and independent for as long as possible.

Aging is inevitable. Pain is not something we should ignore.

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