VetRehab

09/02/2026

We’ve all grown up knowing that we yawn when we’re tired or bored.

Did you know that yawning in dogs can also be a sign of stress? They might be anxious, worried or uncomfortable, and they might also be in pain.

If I want to understand what it means when my dogs yawn, I have to think about the situation. When they’re at home and it’s around their normal nap time (yep, that’s a lot of the time!), I know they’re probably just tired. If we’ve gone somewhere new and there’s something they might not like, it tells me they might be upset. If they’re chilled at home and it’s not nap time but there’s yawning, I’d be wondering why.

What was your dog doing last time you saw them yawning?

05/02/2026

Is stranger danger putting you off?

Animal behaviour is a passion of mine, so when your dog communicates, I pay attention.

I’ve seen lots of nervous dogs, and most learn that rehab comes with rewards, whether that’s a yummy treat or a relaxing treatment. I go at their pace so they feel comfortable, and we only do what’s safe for us and them.

I also understand how much pain affects behaviour, and help to manage that too.

My regulars get excited when they come to their rehab sessions – owners get dragged into the clinic – and anxious dogs learn that we’re ok too, really, and that it’s actually all quite relaxing.

Come along and learn how to chillax at rehab!

02/02/2026

Here’s an easy way to check your dog’s joints.

One of the things I do when examining a dog is to bend and straighten every joint. There are several things I’m looking for when I do it, and I’ve developed a very good sense of feel over the years. But one thing you can try doing at home is gently bending each of your dog’s legs up, snug against their body.

You should be able to bend most of the joints all in one go – wrist, elbow and shoulder for each of the front legs, and hock, knee and hip in each of the back legs. It’s easiest to try it when they’re lying on their side (probably asleep!).

If your dog won’t let you do this, it might be because it squeezes a sore joint that’s uncomfortable. Can you get their leg completely bent up gently against their body without them resisting or showing any signs of discomfort?

Don’t try and force it – if they don’t like it, they could use a vet check.

How did it go? Post a video or comment if you’re not sure and I’ll help you out.

29/01/2026

26/01/2026

Here are three reasons why I take my arthritic dog for a short walk every day instead of one big weekend warrior workout.

1. Pain and inflammation go DOWN with gentle activity.

2. A wee bit of exercise creates healthier joints and keeps muscles stronger.

3. Keeping up his muscle strength will help him to get into the car when we go out.

And there's a bonus, he thinks I’m the bestest hooman on the planet every time I take him out!

Who else rearranges their life around their dog?

22/01/2026

No – you don’t need a referral from your vet to come to rehab, although

Yes – it can really help to have a copy of your dog’s vet notes.

No – I don’t mind where we meet, I work from a few different locations.

Yes – your pet insurance might cover rehab, especially given I’m a rehab vet.

No – need to delay, and

Yes – I’d love to meet you and your dog!

Bonus yes - a text or message is the best way to get hold of me 😊

19/01/2026

Mythbuster!

"The vet said the xrays are fine, so my dog isn’t in pain."

I've heard a few people say that.

Xrays are a useful tool. They mostly show bony changes and help us look for things like fractures, dislocations, bone spurs, arthritis and cancers, to name just a few.

They’re not the best at showing problems in tissues like cartilage, muscles, ligaments and tendons.

So, you could have a dog with pretty good xrays, who still has pain from other tissues in their body.

But wait, there’s more! We know that what we see on an xray DOESN’T equal the pain your dog is in, even if there ARE bony changes.

So, one dog could have a teeny tiny bone spur that’s giving him gyp, while another could have lots of wear and tear but not seem at all bothered by it. That’s true for people and other animals, too.

We treat the animal, not the xray – but the xray is an important tool to help us understand what’s going on, and to rule out nasties.

Have you heard of anything else that you think might be a myth?

15/01/2026

Did your dog ever eat your homework? 💩

When it comes to rehab, dogs are usually eating while DOING their homework!

There are lots of things that affect how well your dog copes with their joint or muscle pain. Exercise, weight, nutrition and your home environment are some of them.

I’ll go over the ones that are relevant for your dog, and help you to work out solutions to put in place at home.

And while I love homework, I also know that life happens, so we’ll figure out the easiest way for you to achieve what your dog needs given your schedule and commitments.

Book now if you want to aim for an A+!

12/01/2026

Just gimme the pills (said not many dogs, ever!)

Pain medications are a really important part of managing arthritis and other conditions that older dogs get. But they’re not the only option, and ideally they’re part of a broader management plan.

Here’s 5 reasons why pain meds are ideally used WITH other rehab options:

1. All medications have potential side effects. Some dogs are more affected than others.

2. Our bodies have to break down medications, often in our liver or kidneys, and we might not want to give them extra work to do if those organs are already compromised – common in older animals.

3. Pain meds make our dogs feel better, but don’t make the body heal. They can help with inflammation, but cutting down the pain doesn’t mean that the problem CAUSING the pain has been fixed.

4. Adding in rehab options like physical therapies, targeted exercises, weight/nutrition/supplement management, and things like laser or acupuncture, can allow us to keep pain meds for when they’re really needed.

5. Rehab supports the body to stay stronger, have better balance, and can reduce pain, too!

What things are you already doing to help your dog?

08/01/2026

Getting good results is important to me.

The results we get for your dog will be individual to them – it’ll depend on what problems they’re starting with. Everyone is different, and some dogs don’t read the textbooks.

I’ll talk you through the treatment options and likely outcomes. I’m honest and practical while aiming for the best result.

Most dogs are feeling better by the time they walk out the door, though it can take a few sessions to get them as good as they can be.

If they’ve got an ongoing condition, our aim might be to slow down the progression and keep them going comfortably for longer.

There’s only one way to find out how much better YOUR dog will get – send me a message and we’ll arrange a time.

05/01/2026

Although rehab is becoming more accepted, it’s a relatively young field. That means most vets haven’t been taught about it when they were in vet school, so they don’t always know what rehab involves.

It’s a lot more than exercises, and we only start doing exercises when the time is right for your dog.

Rehab is one of the fastest-growing veterinary fields worldwide as we learn more about how much it benefits our animals (just the same as it does for us).

Whether your dog is just slowing down a bit or has had a major surgery, there are still things we can do in rehab that help them to get better. Here are 5 great reasons to go to rehab:

1. Rehab helps the rest of your dog’s body to cope with the compensations of pain.

2. In rehab, we adjust activities according to what your dog needs and is able to do.

3. Rehab includes options for additional pain relief that don’t involve medications.

4. Rehab is responsive to the needs of each dog and their owner.

5. Rehab helps to keep their minds active even if their bodies can’t keep up.

Rehab vets are always happy to work with your GP vet, too.

If you’re not sure whether rehab is right for your dog or not, get in touch and we can have a chat about it.

01/01/2026

Here’s how I decide which treatments to use.

First, I have to weigh up all the information you and your dog have given me –their background, their medical history, the problems they’ve been having, and how they are today.

I consider your dog’s behaviour – are they relaxed and chilled, or a bit worried? How much pain are they in?

Next, I think about the treatment options, and how effective I think they’ll be for your dog. It could be anything from veterinary osteopathy, physical therapies or targeted exercise, to acupuncture or laser treatment.

The treatment not only needs to be effective, but it has to be something your dog will like.

If I think more investigation is needed, I’ll explain that too, and can work in with your GP vet or specialists if necessary.

We’ll discuss the ins and outs, make a plan and make a start.

You can see why “It depends” is my favourite phrase!

Treat your dog to some rehab treatment – personalised for them and you. Send me a message!