What to expect

You will need to allow 60-90 minutes for your first consultation, and about 60 minutes for each treatment session.

The first time we meet, your animal will be observed at rest and moving at a walk and trot. Horses may be lunged and / or ridden too, depending on the nature of the complaint. Please be prepared to walk and trot your animal up, or if necessary, please arrange for someone else to be present who can do this.

After the observation and gait analysis a careful clinical examination will commence. This includes palpation of soft tissues and the assessment of joints for range of movement. Any pain responses will be noted at this stage, and often secondary problems which have arisen as a result of an initial injury or condition are identified. These can be simultaneously managed.

If your vet has sent through case notes, these will have been examined prior to the appointment. You’ll be asked additional questions about your animal’s condition, behaviour, normal routine, normal performance, nutrition, exercise regime etc. which can all help to form a better view of the problem, and to formulate a bespoke treatment plan which best fits with your aspirations, available time and resources.

After this initial consultation a treatment plan will be discussed, detailing the frequency and likely duration of the physiotherapy sessions required. This plan, together with the clinical findings will be shared with your vet.

If approval to provide physiotherapy treatment has been agreed in advance with your vet, and you are happy with the proposed treatment plan, then an initial course of treatment can usually commence at this time. Please remember, you are never under any obligation to use the services, or to commence the treatment plan proposed. It’s far more important to us that you are happy and confident in your choice of animal therapist.

Throughout the treatment session you may be required to play a part, which may, for example, involve holding your animal, reassuring and soothing them, provision of water. Treatments can progress in your absence, but many owners find it beneficial to attend, learning new skills that can be applied in future. Whilst not absolutely necessary, those animals with the very best outcomes are usually those whose owners are willing and able to continue with manual therapies between sessions.

How to book

Booking your appointment is easy, and bookings can be made by either the referring veterinary practice or the owner.

Please telephone Liz on her mobile, 07966 744127, making use of the answer service. Every endeavour will be made to return calls the same day, although this may be during the evening. Alternatively you can send a message through this website, by using the contact form.

Vets may send case notes, and Referral Forms on email to liz@heywoodvetphysio.com.

Vet Referral Form

DOWNLOAD OUR REFERRAL FORM
It is a legal requirement that animals are only presented for physiotherapy with prior veterinary consent.

There are many reasons for this. In the case of Veterinary Physiotherapy it’s important, as there are certain conditions that do not respond to physiotherapy, underlying medical conditions and medications that mean some treatments cannot safely be used (and which we must know about), or your animal may simply be in too much pain to embark on physiotherapy. Your vet is best-placed to understand these complex medical areas, and decide when adjunctive treatments like physiotherapy will be beneficial.

Working under referral also means that we can share case notes with your vet, and any changes in your animal’s condition or failure to improve can be immediately investigated further and additional or alternative treatments started.

Before booking an appointment you must speak with your vet about a referral, and ask them to complete the referral form or send through a referral letter together with your animal’s clinical notes. Alternatively contact Liz directly and she can speak with your vet on your behalf. Once the form is completed your physiotherapy sessions can be booked in.

DOWNLOAD OUR REFERRAL FORM