Specialist in Equine & Canine Physiotherapy
Insured, and veterinary physiotherapy member of The Institute of Registered Veterinary & Animal Physiotherapists (IRVAP)
Certified Equine Ergonomist (Saddle Fitter)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
All you need to know before your appointment
Why do I need to provide a veterinary referral form?
Please be aware that permission from the animals Veterinary Surgeon is legally required for physiotherapists to assess or treat an animal (Veterinary Surgeon’s Act, 1966). This ensures the animal is suitable to have physiotherapy assessment and treatment.
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Please note that new legislation means that horses who are undergoing maintenance sessions will not require a vet approval form, however, if your horse is currently receiving veterinary care, an approval form will be required.
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All dogs MUST have an approval form prior to treatment commencing.
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Please can you ensure the form is completed prior to booking an appointment.
Is physio covered by pet insurance?
Most pet insurers offer payment for complementary therapies, if you are not sure please contact your insurance company for clarification.
How long will the treatment last
You will need to allow 60-90 minutes for your first consultation, and about 60 minutes for each treatment session.
What happens if I need to cancel/or IÂ am unable to make the appointment?
I appreciate that last minute problems can mean that you have to cancel or miss an appointment.
If possible, please inform at least 48 hours prior to cancellation of appointment. If you are unable to inform us 48 hours prior to appointment, please be advised that I will charge 50% of your appointment fee. We would all like to avoid this scenario, so please try and rearrange your appointment in advance.
What can I expect on the day of physio treatment?
On arrival, I will discuss your animal's case history with you, and I will need to see your pet standing, walking and trotting.
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I will conduct an all over body assessment, this will involve palpation of muscles and checking range of motion in joints. Once this has been conducted, a treatment plan will be discussed, and what equipment etc will be used during the treatment and, if necessary, a home programme can be given for you to perform.
Please feel free to ask questions, and I will also supply you with a relevant information sheet.
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It helps to obtain a full history from you, the owner, and this may include questions such as :
What is your normal exercise regime?
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
How to book an appointment?
Booking your appointment is easy, and bookings can be made by either the referring veterinary practice or the owner, send us an email to brownsvetphysio@gmail.com or via the contact page.
How many treatments will my pet need?
I understand that the cost implications of providing your animal with physiotherapy can be a concern for many owners.
Bearing this in mind, I will usually recommend a treatment schedule of 6 sessions and hope to see an improvement after 3 treatments. This can vary depending on the problem and this will be discussed further with you if a longer treatment schedule is required.