Animal Rehabilitation Vet

04/02/2026

Growth plates are soft areas at the end of the long bones that contribute to lengthening of these bones during growth. How long they remain open depends on species and breed, with an average of 12 to 18 months and up to 24 months in some large breed dogs. While the growth plates are open they are vulnerable to injury. This can affect the rate of closure of the growth plates and lead to bone or joint deformities.

Although laser therapy is a very useful and generally safe modality for pain relief the heat generated by the laser, and laser’s effect on rapidly changing cells may be damaging to sensitive tissue. Research in rats suggests that a single laser treatment used for acute pain may be safe, but continued use of certain wavelengths can result in early closure of the growth plates. This is why we do not use laser on young animals with open growth plates.

13/08/2025

Pulsed electromagnetic therapy is a modality I have used on my own dogs for many years - both for relief of osteoarthritis pain and post “dog sports” recovery. The PetsPEMF bed is a very easy to use and a cost effective option I am proud to be able to offer for purchase. For more information message, phone - 0226765702 or email [email protected]

18/06/2025

Wonderful to see Winston doing so well with Greyt Touch - Canine Massage Therapy.

23/04/2025

Oh so cute Oscar is currently my smallest canine patient at only 4.5kg.
He is a charmer that rocks the cool kid goggles and lies about his age.
How old do you think he is?

30/03/2025

Phoenix visited on Saturday for laser and rehab after having a TPLO procedure for cranial cruciate ligament rupture only 5 days before. In these early stages of healing it is very important to restrict her exercise. The laser helps control pain and reduce swelling while targetted exercises maintain muscle mass, joint movement and encourage gentle weight bearing. Phoenix has osteoarthritis in various other areas that we also need to manage during her recovery and beyond.

16/03/2025

We met the wonderful Winston a few months ago. Due to a birth defect he has one hind leg shorter than the other. With the help of he is now learning to walk with a prosthotic. Its hard work adjusting but a well placed step provides a great place for a sneaky sit down on the job.

19/01/2025

When exercising outside isn’t possible consider setting up a simple obstacle course with household items for your pet to navigate.
By allowing them to ‘problem solve’ and find their own comfortable route we improve their confidence , balance and proprioception (awareness of where the body is in space) - especially important in maintaining mobility and function in senior animals. What they can manage without injury will depend on their overall fitness and muscle strength.
I recommend all senior dogs be assessed by their canine rehabilitation vet or physio prior to attempting any new exercise.

09/01/2025

Time to get out and enjoy the fine weather.
Remember to take a bottle of water to keep your pup cool and refreshed.
Protect their feet - check the pavement isn’t too hot to touch.
And dont forget the p**p bags.

Even a short walk can be challenging for some elderly or arthritic dogs. A ‘sniff fest’ at a new park or beach at their own pace can still be good exercise for body mind and soul.

I would love to hear some of your dogs favourite places to walk. Please share in the comments.

02/01/2025

Today is the day to celebrate SLEEP.
Good sleep is important for good health in all of us - including our pets. It is a time to repair and recover after a long day of play or work.

Changes in sleeping patterns - sleeping longer than normal or unsettled sleep in older pets - may be a sign of pain or illness.

How well does your pet sleep?

Send me a photo in the comments below.

02/11/2024

This handsome man with his quirky personality is destined to challenge Animal Rehabilitation Vet and K9 Aqua Ltd in exciting ways. Thanks to GreyT Touch - Canine Massage Therapy for referring him. Looking forward to watching his progress and celebrating his wins as he reaches his treatment goals.

The lovely Winston - this big boy has had a ruff time of it.
But his devoted owners have been very committed in their treatment plan.
And now Greyt Touch - Canine Massage Therapy has referred him to K9 Aqua Ltd and Animal Rehabilitation Vet so we are excited to join his multi-modal treatment team.

31/10/2024

Lovely Louie came for his laser therapy today, before joining K9 Aqua Ltd for a hydrotherapy session. Laser is a gentle method of pain relief often used for easing the pain of osteoarthritis. It can be used to complement the action of medications and for animals that can’t tolerate standard medications. Wonderful for our seniors.

17/09/2024

Rehabilitation aims to improve an animal’s physical function, alleviate pain and enhance their quality of life.
It is beneficial for injury recovery, post - surgery, arthritis and joint issues, obesity management and neurological disorders.
A combination of therapies such as physical exercises, manual therapy, laser treatments and hydrotherapy (with our friends at K9 Aqua) may be used.