Worcester Vet Physio

13/10/2025

This photo won’t mean much to most, but to me and Peri’s owner this is showing how much more comfortable he was feeling after today’s session 🥰.

The sofa was previously Peri’s preferred safe resting place but after injury and hindlimb weakness earlier this year he stopped getting up there completely.
Though we don’t want him always hopping on and off there, this is a really good sign of him feeling more comfortable, and more confident in his own abilities too, which makes me very happy to see 💜.

04/10/2025

Little Daisy being an absolute star for her initial physiotherapy session today ⭐️💜😎

She has bilateral glenoid (shoulder) dysplasia, which is not a condition we see that often!

Being a JRT she also has some patellar luxation (that jack russell hop!), so we will be working to support this too.

We are starting an exercise plan to make those shoulders as strong as possible 💪 and ensuring her comfort with LASER therapy and manual therapies at regular physiotherapy sessions.

26/09/2025

Imagine going about your day but not being able to talk. How would you communicate your wants, needs, successes, pain…? 🤐

Your only way of communicating is really through your actions.
But you can only communicate with trusted people, if you make a misjudgment and choose the wrong person you will be [at best] ignored.

Horses can only communicate in this way; through their actions, expressions and behaviours. If they have no trusted people (ie. no one that listens OR someone who misinterprets), their actions will get louder and louder.

There are then 3️⃣ paths;
💛 You realise and you listen to your horse, responding as needed.
🖤 Your horses communication efforts are ignored, they get more in dramatic with their actions & behaviour, becoming difficult and dangerous. Pain memory territory.
💔 Your horses communication efforts are not only ignored, but negatively reinforced in ways that mean your horse must get on with it. So they shut down and learn to not communicate.

Listen to each and every communication your horse makes with you, open up for a two way conversation. Imagine the relief you would feel to have someone that would listen to you?

Pain and dysfunction can manifest in so many forms;
🔸 Twisting to the right? Poll tension, jaw pain, dental problems, tack fit, compensation patterns…
🔸 Fine on right rein but struggling left combined with sensitive right flank? Hindgut/digestive issues…
🔸 Fidgety to saddle? Ulcers, preempting discomfort when ridden, poor saddle fit (yes, even if you’ve just had it checked), incorrect girth design
🔸 Unhappy in the field/stable? Freedom, friends, forage - are these needs being met?
🔸 Stiffness? Pain, lack of movement (no, not always ridden)

Just because they can’t vocally say “my pain/struggle/discomfort is HERE”, doesn’t mean it’s not there.

I’m constantly working to refine my understanding of his communication, and also dissolving other opinions along the way that are not helpful.

If you have ever for even a moment put a ❓over something about your horse, listen… zoom in… see what makes it better, what makes it worse… & if you’re not sure, ask a trusted professional 🤍

📸

25/09/2025

Another lovely week with your ponies and puppers 🥰💜

24/09/2025

My trusty Mazda is up for sale, please share to anyone who may be interested 🙏☺️ thank you!

18/09/2025

Some good advice on watching older/arthritic horses sleeping patterns

16/09/2025

The van is finally ready to get out and about! Apologies in advance for my questionable parking skills in said van 😆 see you soon 🚐💜

14/09/2025

🫳💧The Lymphatic System and Drainage 💧

This week I have been on a really eye-opening course all about the canine and equine lymphatic system and lymphatic drainage techniques!

Now let me tell you more about the lymphatic system and how this really does affect the whole of the body’s health and wellbeing 🤯…

- The lymphatic system is essentially the house of our immune system.
- Lymph vessels have one way valves, meaning it can only travel in ONE direction.
- It is a passive system, there is no pump to push the fluid round the body; it relies on movement (muscle contraction and hoof/paw impact with the ground), negative pressure from the circulatory system, and breathing (contraction and relaxation of the diaphragm).
- This means that it can be hugely affected by factors such as lack of movement, cardiovascular issues, and breathing issues, as well as a large amount of other factors such as age, diet, stress, injury, and inflammation.
- The system does not go in a ‘circle’, the anatomical design creates ‘bottlenecks’ that are susceptible to becoming overloaded, creating swelling below these points.
- A really good analogy for lymphatic issues is if we think of the lymphatic system like a hosepipe; we must ensure that we ‘get rid of any kinks’ before then ‘turning the tap on’. Whilst we can enact lymphatic drainage techniques on the hindlimbs for example, there is no point if the collection point higher up is blocked- both need to be treated.

Effects of lymphatic treatment include:
- Enhanced immunity
- Enhanced recovery
- Reduced inflammation
- Increased lymphocyte number and action (white blood cells, i.e. defence against infections, foreign invaders like bacteria, viruses, and cancerous cells)
- Reduced swelling
- Decreased blood lactate concentration (which is increased following intense exercise)
- Beneficial effects when managing congestive heart failure, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammatory diseases
- Improved cell homeostasis and overall tissue health, reducing risk of injury and improving overall health
- There is no evidence is spreads malignancy (cancer) if present in the body, something that has been a subject of concern in the past
(and the best part, this is ALL backed up with scientific research- please ask for the articles if interested)

Putting this into context, what sort of animals and conditions is incorporating this treatment going to be most useful for?
- Animals with restricted movement
* This could be a horse on box rest or a dog on cage rest following injury/surgery, who need more lymphatic support during this time, as well as horses through the winter that spend more time in the stable.
* It could also be an animal that has to be on restricted exercise and/or restricted turnout areas because of long-term conditions which mean they don’t move around as much as they should.
* It could also be for animals that mechanically have reduced movement through their limbs (thinking arthritis or neurological issues), meaning the lymph doesn’t ‘pump’ up through the limbs and body as much as it should. (It is also worth considering horses that are shod all round, and dogs which have to wear paw boots).
- Senior care for any animal
* Older animals of any species tend to have reduced movement, reduced elasticity of tissues, and tend to have more cardiovascular issues, as well as an overall weakened immune system.
- Additional management in animals with lymphatic conditions such as lymphangitis and lymphodema (including CPL).
- Swellings caused by joint/tissue inflammation or injury, and also from things like bites and stings.
- After any injury/surgery, to boost the immune and anti-inflammatory response, and reduce swelling; more effective recovery if the anti-inflammatory/immune system (i.e. lymphatic system) is working more effectively.
- Following competition, decreasing blood lactate levels and boosting overall health and repair.
- After steroid joint injections, which as a side effect have a negative impact on the immune system.
- An additional treatment option to be discussed for any animal with an impaired immune system, for example on long-term steroid medication, suffering from chronic infections, chronic inflammation, auto-immune diseases, allergies, gut issues, cardiovascular issues.
- ALL ANIMALS! - for a general health boost and reduced injury risk- promotes cell homeostasis- poor homeostasis gives a higher risk of injury.

As well as the manual techniques learnt, this new knowledge will also inform additional ways I can implement electrotherapies, remedial exercises, and techniques such as kinesiotaping and acupressure, alongside each other to affect the lymphatic system most effectively.

I’ve probably waffled on enough there 🫣… if you’d like to discuss more, and if you’re interested in starting or incorporating lymphatic drainage treatment for your animal, please get in touch 🐶🐴🐱
🌐 www.worcestervetphysio.co.uk
📩 worcestervetphysio@outlook.com
📞 07927454696

All this amazing new knowledge has come from a course run by Sara Farina at Jo Rose Holistic, and the techniques are subject to copyright under the Johnston Farina Method©️.

28/08/2025

In conclusion, this study shows that the risk of cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs is linked to how long they are exposed to natural s*x hormones, and the relationship isn’t simple or linear. The highest risk was seen when females were spayed before about 1054 days (just under 3 years) and males before about 805 days (a little over 2 years). These results may help define what counts as “early” spay or neuter when it comes to cranial cruciate ligament disease risk.

Veterinary reproduction specialists now recommend hormone-preserving sterilization: preventing unwanted litters & less risk of torn cruciates.

18/06/2025

“Oh rubbish....our nails don’t hurt when they grow.”
I hear you, but let’s look at why trainers, groomers, vets (really anyone who works closely with dogs) will urge you to please trim your dog’s nails or “claws”.

It isn’t always nice to hear but it is an important message.

What happens when your dogs nails are too long?
The toes can start to splay, they can spread our unnaturally.
This affects how the foot can move and place itself.

Did your dog’s toes once sit neatly and tightly together?
Have you noticed they now sit wider apart?
Notice those bigger gaps?
The foot isn't as compact as it one was.

Over time.... the toes can twist and they may have a new way of moving or walking, one their body isn’t built for and it can be very subtle and tricky to spot.

That new movement affects joints and muscles all the way up the leg.
Eventually.... it can impact the hips.
The gait can be affected as well as their whole walking style.

Why does this happen?
Dog nails don’t retract.
They stay long (and for long nails concrete walking may not help at all...it just means more pain).
Long nails can’t sink into hard surfaces.
The toes bend... the joints strain and the foot compensates in unnatural ways.

Will they show pain?
Some dogs will..... many don’t or can’t.
That doesn't mean they’re not in a lot of discomfort.

Pain often shows in unexpected ways...unwanted behaviour, movement and posture.
Pain that is preventable becomes a welfare issue.

We owe it to our dogs to help them live (as much as possible) a pain free life.

Yes...nail care can be hard.
Yes, some dogs hate it and progress can be snail pace slow.

However....we owe it to our dogs to not give up on them or their nails.

24/05/2025

09/05/2025

This handsome man is called Archer 🏹💘, a Norwegian Forest Cat!

He had his initial physiotherapy session today for support with degenerative joint disease/OA, predominantly affecting his hips.

His initial session included:
- history taking and lifestyle discussion
- assessment
- exercise prescription and demonstration (which as you can see he was an absolute PRO at 😻… with the help of lik-e-liks of course!)
- treatment including class 4 LASER therapy, and introduction to manual techniques

Just sharing these figures again as it’s been a while….

60% of cats over 6 years of age, and 90% of cats over 12 are affected by feline osteoarthritis… yet only 8-10% are treated for their pain

Some everyday signs of pain in cats include:
- a decrease in overall energy and activity levels
- urinating or defecating outside of their litter box
- grooming themselves less
- licking or chewing a certain area on the body
- changes in personality (more irritable or withdrawn)
- avoiding certain areas of the house like slippery floors or usual perching spots
- reduced scratching post use

Share this with your cat parent friends and family to help raise awareness for OA in our feline companions 😻

Archer belongs to the lovely RVN Gemma at Bay Tree Veterinary Centre Ltd 🩺