Veterinary Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation in Canberra
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation for Dogs and Cats
Physical therapy and rehabilitation can play an important role in comfort, movement and recovery. At BVRS, our rehabilitation service supports pets after surgery, during mobility changes and as part of ongoing musculoskeletal care.
Our physical therapy department works closely with pet owners, referring vets and the wider BVRS team to create plans tailored to each patient’s needs. External veterinary practices can now refer patients directly to our rehabilitation team. A prior BVRS surgical consultation is not required for these referrals.
What is Animal Physical Therapy?
Veterinary physical therapy plays an important role in the recovery and management of many musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. It can be particularly helpful for soft tissue injuries, osteoarthritis, spinal and neck conditions, fractures and patients recovering from surgery.
The goal of physical therapy is to support the body’s natural recovery processes while reducing pain and inflammation, maintaining or improving joint mobility, rebuilding muscle strength and restoring normal movement and function. Ultimately, physical therapy aims to help animals return to their normal activities and achieve the best possible quality of life.
Physical Therapy Consultation
An initial physical therapy appointment involves a comprehensive assessment of your pet, including their movement, mobility, strength, balance and overall functional ability. This assessment allows an individualised rehabilitation program to be developed based on your pet’s specific condition, goals and stage of recovery.
Treatment may include hands-on techniques performed by the physiotherapist, targeted therapeutic exercises and a tailored home exercise program. Owners play an important role in rehabilitation, and exercises can be provided to continue the work safely and effectively between appointments.
Our physical therapy team is trained to assess movement and gait, and treatment plans are adapted to suit each patient’s rehabilitation needs.
What Our Physical Therapy Team Can Help With
Physical therapy and rehabilitation may incorporate a range of techniques, including soft tissue therapy, joint mobilisation, stretching, strengthening exercises, movement retraining, balance and proprioception exercises, therapeutic laser and other electrotherapy modalities.
Physical therapy can assist animals with a wide variety of orthopaedic, neurological and musculoskeletal conditions, including:
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Cruciate ligament injuries and recovery following TPLO or lateral suture (DeAngelis) surgery
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Rehabilitation following patella luxation surgery
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Femoral head and neck excision procedures
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Hip dysplasia, including both conservative and post-operative management
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Elbow dysplasia and associated surgical or conservative treatment
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Spinal conditions and neurological disorders
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Peripheral nerve injuries
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Neck and back pain
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Osteoarthritis and chronic joint conditions
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Muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries
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Gait abnormalities and movement disorders
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Rehabilitation following fractures and other orthopaedic surgery
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Rebuilding strength and function following illness or cancer treatment
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Conditioning and performance support for sporting and active animals
Post-Operative Rehabilitation
Our team provides practical recommendations so owners understand how to support their pet at home during recovery.
Laser Therapy, TENS, Manual Therapy and Cryotherapy
Your pet’s plan will be based on their assessment, referral information and individual needs.
How to Access Physical Therapy
If you are unsure which pathway applies to your pet, our team can guide you through the next steps.
Future Rehabilitation Services
