Physiotherapy helps improve movement, reduce pain, and restore function through targeted exercises, manual therapy, and modalities like electrical stimulation. Animal physiotherapy applies similar principles to help animals recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and enhance their overall mobility and quality of life through tailored rehabilitation programs.
Physical therapy is indicated for your dog or cat if they are recovering from surgery, injury, or trauma, or if they suffer from conditions that affect their mobility, such as arthritis or neurological disorders. It can also improve overall strength, flexibility, and quality of life, especially in geriatric dogs and cats, as well as those suffering from chronic pain.
Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the healing process after surgery. It relieves pain and promotes circulation through various techniques such as massage or lymphatic drainage therapy. Gentle, passive movements can help mobilize joints and muscles without placing strain on them in the initial phase. As recovery progresses, active movement therapy supports muscle development and improves coordination. Physiotherapy not only helps restore natural mobility but also prevents potential complications such as poor posture, thus ensuring a more effective and comprehensive recovery.and muscle strength and to avoid future injuries.
If you are unsure whether your dog or cat needs physiotherapy, you should consult your veterinarian or schedule an initial appointment with our veterinarian. The veterinarian can perform a thorough examination and determine whether physiotherapy is appropriate for relieving pain or improving mobility.
You can schedule an appointment using the new patient contact form on our website or through your veterinarian, who can fill the veterinary form available online at any time.
You can visit us at any time. However, please note that we prioritize appointments and inpatients. Therefore, we cannot guarantee waiting times in these cases. This policy allows us to give each patient the attention they deserve while maintaining a calm and stress-free environment. It also helps us keep waiting times as short as possible for everyone. Since we also care for inpatients, our staff may not always be fully available. To best meet your pet's needs, we recommend making an appointment in advance. Thank you for your understanding!
The first appointment will focus on taking a medical history, conducting a physical examination, and developing a physical therapy plan. During a conversation with the patient's owner, we will clarify any questions, discuss the current problem, and establish goals. We place great importance on ensuring that the patient feels comfortable in the practice environment. If the patient remains cooperative, we may begin with a simple treatment. It is important not to overwhelm the patient, but to ensure that they feel relaxed and will be happy to return. For more information, please see the “New Patients” section.
If possible, please bring all relevant information to your first appointment, including findings, diagnoses, X-rays, CT or MRI scans, lab results, medications, discharge document, supplements, and more. Alternatively, you can email these documents to us in advance. This will allow us to gather as much information about your pet as possible before our first meeting. We value a close working relationship with your treating veterinarian, animal health practitioner, or veterinary clinic. With your permission, we will be happy to contact them to ensure your pet receives the best possible care.
Please do not give your dog or cat large portions of food 1-2 hours before the appointment, as they may not move as effectively on a full stomach. Also, give them the opportunity to relieve themselves before the session, as they will feel more relaxed with an empty bladder.
Ideally, we recommend bringing a favorite blanket, towel, treats, or toys to help them feel more comfortable. If you have a hydrotherapy appointment, you may want to brush your dog or cat beforehand so that he or she dries faster afterwards.
It's important to avoid planning any long walks or strenuous activities immediately after therapy. Physiotherapy can be quite demanding, so your pet needs time to rest afterwards. Allowing for rest periods not only aids recovery but also enhances the effectiveness of the exercises. Remember, "Breaks are an essential part of therapy!“
During treatments, a serene and tranquil atmosphere is essential. It is important for your pet to feel completely at ease, enabling them to fully engage with the process. To facilitate this, please maintain a peaceful environment by minimizing noise and disturbances, ensuring that they can relax and unwind entirely.
The duration of session can vary depending on the therapeutic plan and the level of cooperation from the patient. For an overview of the expected duration for a specific session, please refer to the „Prices“ section. For more detailed information, please reach out to us using the contact form section.
The timeline for seeing improvements in your pet largely depends on the specific issue being addressed, as well as your animal's overall physical condition and behavior. Generally, many pet owners notice positive changes within the first three to six sessions. However, each animal is unique, and some may require more time to show progress. Consistency and patience are key in this process.
The frequency of animal physiotherapy is very individual and depends on various factors as well as the specific needs of the animal. In some cases, it may be sufficient to attend just a few sessions, while in other cases regular therapy may be required over a longer period of time. As a rule, sessions take place once or several times a week, but can be adjusted if necessary.
Many pet insurance policies cover at least part of the costs of animal physiotherapy. It is advisable to enquire directly with your insurance company to obtain precise information on the benefits and reimbursement modalities.
A comprehensive overview of our rates can be found in the „Prices“ section. Please note that the prices for all therapies may vary based on several factors. Therefore, specific costs will be discussed during the initial appointment as part of the therapy plan development.
You are welcome to cancel or reschedule your appointments at any time. However, please note that we will incur charges for appointments that are not canceled at least 24 hours in advance. It's also important to emphasize that consistent therapy, particularly in the initial stages, is essential for achieving optimal results. Spacing appointments too far apart may hinder your progress in therapy. We offer an outpatient service that allows you to drop off your animal for treatment at a scheduled time and pick them up later.
The frequency of animal physiotherapy is highly individual and depends on various factors, including the individual needs of the animal. In some cases, just a few sessions may be sufficient, while in others, regular therapy over a longer period may be necessary. Sessions typically take place one or more times per week, but can be adjusted as needed.
If you're unsure about the underlying issues that may be impacting your pet's well-being, we highly recommend scheduling an appointment with your veterinarian. They can perform a comprehensive examination and initiate the necessary evaluations to identify and address any potential health concerns.
We do not currently carry out home visits.
We do not offer an emergency service ourselves. So that you can still find help in time in the event of an emergency, you can check which veterinary practice is currently on call at www.tierarzt-notdienst-rtk.de.
Please only use the emergency service if there really is an emergency.
