Services

Melbourne Animal Physiotherapy has been providing professional animal physiotherapy and hydrotherapy to small animals since 2007, and is highly regarded by veterinary professionals for the best supportive care of your pet.

Animal Physiotherapy is similar to human physiotherapy. We undertake a thorough subjective assessment, gaining history relating to the current injury and the pet’s usual lifestyle.  This is also gathered from your pets veterinarian and/or surgeon prior to their appointment. We will use skilled observation of your pet performing some movements that are appropriate for their condition, then palpation using our best tool (our hands), including measuring muscle mass and range of motion. From here we determine the problems we want to address, discuss goals of treatment and devise the best treatment plan to help steer your pet to their best recovery possible.  We work with your veterinarian to ensure medications and supplements are appropriate and providing the best support, however in many cases we can avoid medications by getting to the cause of the problem. A thorough visual home exercise plan is sent after your first appointment, and your veterinarian will receive a detailed report with our findings and plan.

Treatments may include:

• Massage therapy
• Joint mobilisation
• Muscle and joint stretching
• Muscle strengthening and conditioning
• Trigger point therapy
• Dry needling
• Laser Therapy
• Proprioceptive and support taping
• Proprioceptive and balance re-training
• Hydrotheraoy using our Underwater Treadmills
• Advice regarding rehabilitation products
• Home Exercise Prescription
• Diet, supplement and weight loss advice

Hydrotherapy for dogs has become increasingly popular over recent years, and there are more and more hydrotherapy options available to small animals. Humans have known for millennia the healing properties of water for injuries and aching joints. It has become more well-known for animals initially by way of the horse racing industry, revealing the conditioning and healing benefits of allowing horses to walk in the water, the practice was soon adopted by the greyhound racing industry. The invention of underwater treadmills for dogs soon followed, and after that, the practice quickly branched out to dogs in general.  Our Hydrotherapists are all guided by an initial physiotherapy assessment, plus regular check in’s to ensure we are achieving the goals of the treatment.  Working within a large team of expert therapists, means we communicate regularly about our cases and ensure the best treatment is being provided for the condition.

Canine hydrotherapy can help treat a wide range of injuries and health conditions, including:

• Neurological problems, involving non-ambulatory dogs
• CCL injuries (cruciate injuries)
• Other orthopedic injuries or conditions
• Post-surgical healing and recovery
• Weight loss
• Degenerative conditions like degenerative myelopathy
• Metabolic conditions like Cushing’s and diabetes that can cause muscles to atrophy

The type of hydrotherapy prescribed depends on the condition being treated, as well as on the condition of the dog. The underwater treadmill offers better control of the exercise program and allows modifications to be made where necessary. This can include depth and speed to be adjusted quickly to suit the needs of the pet, and the exercise tailored more specifically to the condition.

Hydrotherapy is a great tool, but it is one tool in a large tool kit. It can facilitate the building of muscle mass, promote cardiovascular output and improve stamina. It cannot however target individual muscles or reduce inflammation or pain. The best plan should include a combination of modalities, such as physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and a structured exercise program.

Clients should first be booked in for a full physiotherapy land assessment prior to commencing hydrotherapy, to ascertain the goals of the sessions and to maximise the benefits.

At MAP, we have multiple top of the range Class 4 Lasers, the highest quality laser treatment in the industry. This therapy stimulates the body’s natural healing mechanisms using laser light of different wavelengths, power, and frequency. It effectively reduces pain, inflammation, and swelling, improves healing times and circulation, and is now more accessible to a wider range of patients. During laser therapy, most pets find the experience pleasant, and sedation or restraint is generally unnecessary. Treatment times vary but are typically under 8 minutes. While improvement can be seen after the first visit, multiple sessions are usually required for the best results.

Laser therapy provides pain reduction, inflammation reduction, accelerated wound healing, improved vascular and metabolic activity, and can be beneficial for specific conditions. It is a non-invasive and drug-free alternative for managing pain and promoting healing in pets. Class IV K Laser Therapy targets natural light-absorbing complexes in the body, triggering better cellular respiration, blood circulation, and tissue healing.

Laser therapy can effectively treat a variety of conditions, including:

• Joint pain and osteoarthritis
• Tendonitis
• Edema and congestion
• Chronic pain and lameness
• Fractures, sprains, and strains
• Trauma and puncture wounds
• Dermatitis
• Neck and back pain
• Hip dysplasia
• Burns, infected, and chronic wounds
• Rehabilitation and post-surgical recovery

To make an appointment for Class IV Laser Therapy or to discuss the best combination of therapies for your pet’s quality of life, we recommend scheduling an initial physiotherapy appointment at MAP. This will allow us to determine the desired program for optimal outcomes.

Canine Myofunctional Therapy is a holistic therapeutic treatment that integrates remedial massage of soft tissues and gentle stretching of muscles to encourage proper muscle function. Myofunctional therapy aids in reducing restricted joint movement by addressing muscular dysfunction and helps treat common musculoskeletal problems.

For our dogs, massage promotes the same relaxing and healing benefits as it does for us. It provides a way to accurately locate and assess abnormalities, soreness, tension, adhesions, and any deviations that might be affecting overall body movement. Massage can also aid in illness, injury, or surgical recovery through stress reduction and enhanced tissue healing. It enables muscle tissue to relax, extend, and maintain health by increasing circulation of blood and lymph and facilitating the body’s natural healing process.

Massage can address:

• Joint stiffness and mobility issues
• Musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis
• Post-injury or surgery recovery
• Promoting relaxation

At MAP, we take great pride in providing Walkin Wheels Wheelchair rentals or purchase for our clients. Various conditions, such as IVDD, hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, arthritis, amputation, or post-surgery, can make it challenging for your pet to walk independently. It’s ideal to collaborate with our therapists to determine the best plan, which may involve the use of supportive wheels. We can custom-fit these wheels based on your pet’s measurements and condition, enabling you to enroll in our convenient rental program.  If you decide the Wheels are a long term option for your pet, we offer a rent to buy option, meaning every rental payment is put towards the purchase price.

Recognizing that some dogs may not need wheelchairs permanently, we strive to offer a straightforward and hassle-free way to make Walkin’ Wheels wheelchairs available for short-term use, avoiding the complexities of some rental programs. Our primary focus is your pet’s well-being, and this journey begins with a consultation with one of our highly trained physiotherapists to determine the optimal fit.

For accurate fitting, please call or book online, and we’ll ensure the wheels are tailored correctly during your appointment. Your pet’s comfort and mobility are our utmost priorities.

Pricing Varies from $55-$100 per week for rental, depending on the size of the wheelchair.

MAP is proud to be up to date on the latest full limb prosthetic devices. By partnering with 3D Pets in the US, we can help provide a Full-Limb prosthesis for pups with no remaining shoulder blade or with a small residual nub/limb. Utilizing the latest in technology, we 3D scan the patient and send the scans, along with all other relevant information, to 3D Pets. They then digitally modify, 3D print, and add final components. The harness provides flexibility in certain areas and stiffness in others. It is the lightest at about 4kgs, extremely breathable, waterproof, and the foot is custom-designed to be shock-absorbing and wear-resistant.