Tess is an 11-year-old Golden Retriever who has marked osteoarthritis in all joints of her limbs, if this wasn’t enough she was recently diagnosed with fascitis of her left deep gluteal muscles. This is inflammation of the fascia, which is dense connective tissue. This condition was causing her intermittent pain and decreased range of motion. Her owner Mr Wilkinson had spent a few weeks already carrying her out to the garden so she could go to the toilet. She also used to stay in the same place all day until he came back from work. Her vet referred her to Paws & Hooves to improve her movement and pain associated with this condition. On Tess’s first session she had to be carried into the consulting room by her owner. An hour later after receiving a thorough session of physiotherapy she managed to walk to the car. Tess has had 8 sessions in the last 3 and half months and is walking happily once a day now.

Chilli is 2-year-old Maine Coon cross who unfortunately came home one evening at the beginning of May with a paralysed left forelimb. Mr and Mrs Prater rushed Chilli to the vet who suspected the paralysis was due to brachial plexus avulsion. This occurs due to traumatic injury to the nerve roots that innervate the thoracic limb. On my first visit it was clear that Chilli had no sensation in his left forelimb, he was dragging it along when he was running and when he did stop, he seemed to throw his limb around or it went under himself. Since the incident happened Chilli has been confined the house and apart from the paralysis he is a happy cat with a friendly nature.

I have been treating Chilli with physiotherapy once a week now for 7 weeks. In the first couple of weeks there did not appear to be much improvement but in the third and fourth week it was apparent Chilli had feeling in his limbs up to his carpals. Now in his seventh week, although progress is slow there are small signs of improvement and I am continuing to see him to give him the best chance of regaining sensation in his whole limb.

Rea is a 10-year-old long haired German Shepherd who unfortunately since the age of 8 months old has had problems with her hips. Mr & Mrs Chaplin have been very careful with her diet, restricted her walks and always put her health first. Rea has always been stiff in her movement and Mr & Mrs Chaplin decided to try physiotherapy to give her a better quality of life to avoid medication in the future as she gets older. I have treated Rea with physiotherapy every 2 weeks for the last 3 months and have now increased the time in-between to 4 weeks as she’s improved. Mr Chaplin noticed after the first session she was freer in her movement and able to jump into the car, which helps as she’s pretty big!

Dillon is a 7-year-old Springer Spaniel and has had arthritis in his forelegs from a young age which has gradually been getting worst. He recently aggravated it after chasing some ferrets around on the decking and his vet Emma at Cherrydown Vets suggested physiotherapy. On examination Dillon had a very tight back, his muscles felt so tense and his limbs were no different. I treated Dillon with red light phototherapy to increase vasodilation and warm his muscles up ready for massage. Following this he laid on the pulsing electromagnetic field therapy mat while I gave him a thorough massage, he was uneasy to begin with but soon settled down.

After the first session Dillon was a different dog, his owner Mrs Wright couldn’t believe the remarkable improvement. I see Dillon once a week to improve his movement and keep him comfortable. Dillon needs no encouragement since the second session and walks into the room, lies down on the mat and most of the time falls asleep. He’s one the most amusing patients to treat, especially when he starts dreaming!

Teddy is a 4-year-old Labrador Retriever who has been through quite a lot since being diagnosed with hip dysplasia at the age of 5 months old. He also has a luxating patella in his left hindlimb and elbow osteoarthritis. Teddy’s vet referred him to Paws & Hooves as the muscle wastage in his hips was getting worst. He often lost his balance when turning to the left or right. After Teddy’s first session of physiotherapy the change in him was very noticeable. His owner Mrs Jude said that evening Teddy completely out of the blue began to chase her other dog and he even bought her his ball. After 3 sessions his muscles are building up and the strength in his back legs is getting better so he’s bouncing about again. I am seeing Teddy on a weekly basis to continue to increase his muscle mass in his hips and hindlimbs. Teddy treats the sessions as playtime now, which is great fun though to some extent challenging to massage a very playful lab. He is definitely the most energetic patient I’m treating!

Jasper is an 11-year-old Springer Spaniel who has arthritis in multiple joints, a previous cruciate injury and has recently had his left forelimb amputated. This was due to the limb causing him so much pain for reasons unknown. Jasper’s owner is keen to maintain maximum function in his remaining limbs so has been bringing him for physiotherapy sessions for the last 8 weeks.

When I first met Jasper I thought it was amazing how well he was coping with 3 legs. Hearing about his past history and seeing him now was a definite change for the better. Jasper is my first amputee patient and a brilliant one too. I have been treating Jasper with phototherapy, pulsing electromagnetic fields therapy, massage and some range of motion (ROM) exercises. Over the weeks tension in his back and limbs has gradually decreased and his ROM continues to improve.