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[edit] Veterinary/Animal Physiotherapy

About Veterinary/Animal Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Veterinary or Animal physiotherapy is an evidence-based health profession concerned with the assessment and treatment of disability from disease and injury and performance/functional problems in animals. It is based upon the principles of medical sciences, and is held to be within the sphere of conventional medicine. The aim of physiotherapy intervention is to limit impact of injury and disease processes, optimize healing potential and accelerate return to function and/or performance.

The Veterinary/Animal Physiotherapist

Physiotherapists that treat animals are qualified and registered Physiotherapists, who have a special interest and ability to assess and treat animals as well as humans. Many Animal Physiotherapists have a post graduate degree relating specifically to animals. Animal Physiotherapists are skilled at assessing animals’ musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems.

Referral

Depending on country and region, animals may need a referral from their veterinarian for physiotherapy assessment and treatment. This aids in safeguarding animals' healthcare. In some cases, Veterinarians are happy to give a referral without charging providing they know the animal and it's condition well.

Which animals can receive physiotherapy

An appropriately trained Physiotherapist may be able to offer help with any domestic or wild species, and commonly they treat humans too. This may be especially useful in instances where the two interface. For example; the client wants both himself/herself and his companion to loose weight or get fit, or riders' impact on their horses movement patterns and performance (but there are many more examples).