Veterinary Physiotherapy Anna Srutova

Veterinary Physiotherapy Anna Srutova Veterinary physiotherapist and FEI permitted equine therapist improving performance and well-being of your horse and small animals.

- Canine and equine services
- Athlete maintenance and conditioning
- Post-injury rehabilitation
- Post-surgical care
- Management of chronic and neurological conditions
- Rehabilitation plan prescription

27/03/2026

Dogs castrated at 6 months may be at higher risk of cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture later in life. Here is why:

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S£x hormones play a critical role in regulating growth plate closure. When a dog is castrated early, there is a disruption to those hormones before growth is done. The proximal tibial growth plate closes prematurely, but the distal femoral growth plate continues to grow, altering the bone geometry (Torres de la Riva et al., 2013; DeForge et al., 2024).

🦴 This results in a more upright stifle and an increased tibial plateau angle (TPA) — meaning the tibia sits at a steeper slope. During weight-bearing, this generates greater cranial tibial thrust, placing excessive strain on the CrCL.

🐕 While small breeds approach unaffected, this predisposition has been found in larger breeds, specifically in Rottweilers, a breed already overrepresented in CrCL rupture studies (Waters et al., 2023).

What are your thoughts? 💭
Seek advice from your veterinarian 💡

A horse under stress cannot learn.When the nervous system is focused on coping, learning takes a back seat.Realistic tra...
25/03/2026

A horse under stress cannot learn.
When the nervous system is focused on coping, learning takes a back seat.

Realistic training expectations are key to progression.

(Henshall et al., 2022; Valenchon et al., 2017)

What a great event to be a part of!🐕🥰
25/03/2026

What a great event to be a part of!🐕🥰

24/03/2026

There is no shame in not knowing that you’re doing something wrong. However, there is shame in finding out and still choosing to cause harm.

ℹ️Aids like Chambon, side reins or Gogue, are commonly used in training and have been thought of as helpful. But are they actually?

The Reality behind a fake frame:

🐴When we use gadgets to fix a horse’s head in position, we often sacrifice their long-term soundness for a temporary look.

⚖️A posture that is forced is never functional. True muscle development only happens when the horse is allowed the freedom to find their own balance through correct, progressive training.

💥Ill fitting training aid also frequently forces a horse behind the vertical. This leads to damage of the nuchal ligament, contributes to compensatory pains and incorrect muscle development.

✅Let’s ask “WHY” more often. Just because everyone around has always done it doesn’t make it the right choice.

Happy international puppy day 🐶Just yesterday I had the pleasure to speak at a canine skills day by & and we also disc...
23/03/2026

Happy international puppy day 🐶

Just yesterday I had the pleasure to speak at a canine skills day by & and we also discussed puppy development - today is a puppy day so here are a few takeaways:

✔️Keep them lean until adulthood (and then for the rest of their lives :-))
✔️Prevent jumping of surfaces to limit impact forces on the growing skeleton
✔️Avoid stairs until 12 weeks of age, then teach your puppy how to walk up and down slowly and safely. Stairs put a lot of strain on the forming elbow joints and young puppies don’t have enough neuromuscular control to navigate stairs safely.
✔️Focus on socialisation and body awareness before any other
✔️Use mind games rather then excessive activity. Studies show excessive running and jumping can cause damage and contribute to developmental conditions.

🔎 Spot the Pathology – Canine EditionImage 1: SpondylosisA degenerative spinal condition characterised by bony bridges f...
14/03/2026

🔎 Spot the Pathology – Canine Edition

Image 1: Spondylosis
A degenerative spinal condition characterised by bony bridges forming between vertebrae. It develops as the spine tries to stabilise itself following age-related degeneration, chronic instability, or repetitive mechanical stress. It is commonly seen in Boxers and older medium-to-large breed dogs.
🐾 Physiotherapy helps release pain and secondary tension, maintain mobility, strengthen core muscles to support the spine, supporting long-term function and quality of life.

Image 2: Hip Dysplasia
If you are an owner (or future owner) of larger breed like Labrador, Golden Retriever German Shephard, you probably have heard of this developmental condition. 🐾 Physiotherapy plays an absolutely key role in long-term management of this condition. More important information is coming soon so follow and don’t miss out 🧡

Does your dog suffer with an orthopaedic condition? Let me know in the comments.

A great deal of my clinical practice at university was with retired Greyhounds, which was incredibly beneficial in under...
13/03/2026

A great deal of my clinical practice at university was with retired Greyhounds, which was incredibly beneficial in understanding of musculoskeletal anatomy due to the clear definition of muscles in such breeds. Over the years, I developed a soft spot for sighthounds. They are incredible athletes, but they’re essentially all engine, no insulation.

Most sighthounds don’t have a lot of fur and fat layer, which ultimately reduces their ability to conserve heat in cold environments. Cold muscles are much less elastic and far more susceptible to injuries like muscle strains, during their typical zoomie or squirrel chase.

💡Physio Tip: A jumper isn’t just a fashion statement; it’s a pre-warm-up tool. Keeping those big muscle groups warm before the walk means fewer “cold starts” and a lower risk of injury. The fajn ONESIE has a full “Engine Room” coverage, covering the major gluteal and hamstring muscle groups, keeping the power source warm and ready to go. 🤍

Can hooves support the heart’s job? ⬇️Did you know that your horses limb contains no muscles below the carpus or hock to...
08/03/2026

Can hooves support the heart’s job?

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Did you know that your horses limb contains no muscles below the carpus or hock to actively pump blood? Circulation instead relies on the hooves. ❤️

During weight-bearing, the hoof capsule deforms and the digital cushion compresses, helping to return the blood back up the limb. As the hoof unloads, it expands again, drawing blood back into the hoof. This cyclical compression and expansion acts as a mechanical pump.🫀

The is yet another reason why regular movement is so essential for your horse. Walking stimulates both venous return and lymphatic drainage, while prolonged standing can contribute to circulatory stagnation and stagnation swelling.🐎

06/03/2026

Slipping hocks? Come again?

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Luxation of the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon (SDFT)

🐎Rare condition where the tendon that normally runs over the point of the hock (the calcaneal tuber) becomes displaced.

📚The SDFT is held in place by strong fascial attachments called retinacula. Displacement happens when one of these anchors partially or fully ruptures. This is most often the medial retinaculum (on the inside of the hock). This allows the tendon to slide off to the other side of the anchor rupture.

⚠️The cause is often of a traumatic origin as a kick or other impact, some associated with a fracture. Due to the initial swelling at the point of the hock is luxation frequently misdiagnosed.

🐎The tendon usually luxates on flexion of the hock. In chronic cases, the tendon stays permanently dislocated. This is typically due to the contracture of the remaining retinaculum and the horse may appear to have less control over the hindlimb movement.�
(Reiner et al., 2000; Stashak, 2015)

A diagnosis is the starting point. Why?⬇️Surgery and medication fix the damage and support healing but do not restore st...
05/03/2026

A diagnosis is the starting point. Why?

⬇️

Surgery and medication fix the damage and support healing but do not restore strength, coordination, correct biomechanics and confident movement.

Physiotherapy bridges the gap between healing and function.

✔️Safely rebuild muscle after injury or surgery
✔️Restore joint mobility and functional range of motion
✔️Improve balance, coordination, and movement patterns
✔️Reduce pain and stiffness during recovery
✔️Prevent overload of compensating limbs

Without structured rehabilitation:

⚠️Persistent lameness and altered gait
⚠️Muscle loss and asymmetry
⚠️Compensatory injuries in other limbs
⚠️Early degenerative joint changes
⚠️Reduced confidence and activity levels

🐾Postoperative rehabilitation improve limb function, balanced limb use and recovery following cruciate ligament surgery such as TPLO (Baltzer et al., 2018; Barnes et al., 2019). In horses, structured rehabilitation improves outcomes and supports safe return to work pathologies like kissing spines and tendon injuries (Dyson, 2018; McGowan et al., 2019).

If your dog or horse has received a diagnosis, physiotherapy is your next step in recovery.
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