Frequently Asked Questions
Useful information and answers to FAQs can be found here, if the question or answer you are looking for is not here please do not hesitate to contact us.
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Some further information can also be found on the Terms and Conditions Page.
What are the signs my horse may have a problem and requires veterinary physiotherapy?
Changes to your horse's behaviour or reduced performance or lameness will often indicate a problem, this may impact day to day handling on the ground, tacking up/mounting issues, or affecting ridden work. Reluctance, stiffness and undesirable behaviours such as bucking and rearing may be seen when under saddle.
What are the signs my dog may have a problem and requires veterinary physiotherapy?
Changes to your dog's behaviour, reduced performance or reluctance to play/exercise indicate a problem. Lameness, stiffness and struggling to cope with their environment, such as jumping onto a sofa or getting up after resting are also indicating a problem.
Do I need to be referred by a vet to see a Veterinary Physiotherapist?
If veterinary referral has not already been received directly, we still legally require veterinary consent to treat your animal under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. This ensures that veterinary physiotherapy assessment and treatment is appropriate for your animal. Download the consent form from the Information section at the bottom of this page, or from the Terms and Conditions page. This must be completed prior to your initial session.
How should I prepare for a veterinary physiotherapy session?
Please ensure your animal is clean and dry for effective treatment to take place. Also ensure that you have a safe and sheltered environment available for treatment. A dynamic assessment of your animal will be required, unless it is not possible due to the animal's condition or under veterinary advice, therefore please make sure someone capable of doing so is available to walk and trot (and possibly lunge for equine patients) the animal for this assessment. This is especially important for the initial (first) physiotherapy appointment.
What should I expect during a veterinary physiotherapy session?
Firstly a detailed history of your animal, their current problem and any past relevant medical history is taken. They are then assessed, firstly observing standing posture and conformation followed by a dynamic assessment to observe how your animal moves. A physical assessment then takes place through palpation and checking joint range of motion. Findings from these assessments are then discussed with you and a treatment plan is formulated. Treatments can then be carried out and a relevant home exercise plan is given.
How long does a veterinary physiotherapy session last?
Initial sessions take approximately 1.5 hours for horses, and 1 hour for dogs. Follow up sessions take approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour for horses, and approximately 45 minutes for dogs.
How many veterinary physiotherapy sessions will my animal need?
This depends on the animal, the nature of the problem or reason for requiring physiotherapy. We will discuss and advise how many treatments are likely to be required during the initial assessment session. Most fit and healthy animals benefit from routine veterinary physiotherapy to maintain performance and minimise injury risks, in this case a Maintenance Package may be suitable. Some problems will only require the animal to be seen once or twice. However for animals dealing with post-surgery or injury rehabilitation, complex issues or chronic conditions these are likely to require more treatment sessions.
What should I do after a veterinary physiotherapy session?
Your animal will require one day off exercise following the session, then the next couple of exercise sessions following a physiotherapy session should not be too strenuous. As part of the treatment plan formulated during your session, you may be advised some exercises to carry out between sessions to aid in rehabilitating and/or maintaining your animal, details on when and how often these should be done will be provided during your session.
Will my insurance cover Veterinary physiotherapy?
Many insurers will provide cover for veterinary physiotherapy, however it is important that you contact your insurers prior to commencing treatment to confirm that they will provide cover as policies may vary.
What area do you cover?
Stride Out Veterinary Physiotherapy is based in Derby (DE65 area) and covers surrounding areas of the midlands. There is a mileage charge of 45p per mile over 15 miles from the DE65 postcode. Please check the Contact page for a map of the areas covered.
How do I book an appointment?
Please contact us by email, sms, whatsapp, or direct message on social media (facebook or instagram) to discuss booking. Please note calls may not be answered as another client may be present, therefore texting is preferred.
What should I do after a veterinary physiotherapy session?
Payments are to be made prior to or on the day of your appointment via bank transfer, online payment (such as paypal) or in person by card or apple/google pay. Please check the Terms and Conditions page for further details about payments.