Physiotherapists are trained to diagnose and formulate a therapy and treatment program for your cat or dog. They are medically trained and will often work in conjunction with your pets attending vet. The field of veterinary physiotherapy is growing as evidence of the positive role it plays in the pre and post operative care of canine patients. In addition it is a supportive therapy for senior dogs and their families. 

How does a physiotherapist assess my dog? 

• They will begin by calling you to the clinic or in cases where the therapist is in another state/ city, via a tele conference. 
• Telemedicine works and is a great asset for patients who may live in remote areas or in a different city 
• Have medical records and history ready for them to check 
• It will help you and the physiotherapist if you have listed your dogs daily routine. (A video is a great way to let the vet see precisely how your dogs mobility is affected) 
• If you have a dog walker ensure they are part of the initial and mid way journey of therapy (this is the person responsible for one of the most important activities in your dogs day)

The assessment procedure which your pets physiotherapist will follow helps plan your dogs line of treatment and therapy. 

• Medical history and physical examination

1. Be sure to take your dogs medical history for the physiotherapist to check. 
2. Has your dog had a surgery recently? Is the condition/ injury a result of an accident or was your dog born with a disability. 
3. If your dog was bought from a breeder, it is important to let the therapist know, bad breeding can result in conditions of dysplasia.
4. The therapist will check your dogs gait and posture as well as muscle tone and strength. 

• Observation of behaviour and an assessment of functional mobility

How does your dog perform daily functions? They may also check the range of motion (how far/ how much can a joint or limb be used by your dog without causing it pain) 
For eg, if your dog has a hock injury the therapist may check how much weight he/she can bear on the leg and for how long. 

• Neurological and Pain assessment

A neurological assessment is used to determine if the dog has problems with balance and reflexes. What is a pain assessment? Simply put, it observes your dogs ability to perform simple daily functions like climbing stairs or getting up form a sitting position. Your dog should be able to do these simple daily activities with no hesitation.  

• Palpation and muscle assessment

Palpation is the act of gently feeling muscles and areas of the limbs, for tension, pain, or swelling. The therapist will do this and observe your dogs reaction (i.e. do she/he flinch, pull the leg back in pain)  
Muscle atrophy (or wastage) is a result of non usage of muscles. This can happen in senior dogs or to a dog recovering from surgery or prolonged injury. 

• Diagnostic imaging

A therapist may require CT scans or X rays to narrow down and accurately diagnose the problem. Diagnostics help ensure if the problem is muscular or skeletal or even a combination of both. There are portable diagnostics for pets available such as X rays. It helps in ensuring that your dog is calmer and in the security of a familiar environment. 

• Client education and goal-setting along with treatment plan development

It is very important for you to talk clearly and honestly with your dogs physiotherapist and ask as many questions as you need to. They depend on your inputs and information about your dogs daily routine and care.  
Based on the diagnosis and line of treatment the physiotherapist will draw up a plan of therapy and clinic visits. They may also require you to make some changes in your home to help your dog. 

• Regular reassessment and communication 

After a line of treatment has been established, which may include a combination of exercise and therapy (hydrotherapy, acupressure, cryotherapy etc) a schedule of clinic visits will be scheduled. 
It is beneficial for the progress of any therapy that you give regular and accurate feedback to the therapist. Use technology to help you document your dogs therapy journey. Video documentation will help maintain a record of progress and problem areas. 

Physiotherapy is a non invasive proven method to help your cat or dog ease pain, move again and live a fulfilling life.