Veterinary Referral for Physiotherapy

• Pre- & Post-Operative Orthopaedic Rehabilitation: Conservative management, pre-surgery conditioning, and post-surgical rehabilitation (from Day 1) for cranial cruciate ligament disease (TPLO, TTA, lateral suture), patellar luxation, coxofemoral luxation/FHO, total hip replacement, and complex fracture repair (limbs, pelvis, spine).

• Soft Tissue & Tendinopathy Injuries: Iliopsoas strains, shoulder tendinopathies, contractures, tendonitis/tendon rupture, collateral ligament sprains, muscle tears, and severe strain injuries.

• Neurological & Spinal Pathology: Pre- and post-surgical management or conservative care for Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE), Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), spinal cord pathology, neuropraxia, peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy, lumbosacral disease/cauda equina syndrome, and Acute Canine Idiopathic Polyradiculoneuritis.

• Vestibular & Cranial Pathology: Peripheral and idiopathic vestibular disease, cranial nerve pathologies, and post-head trauma recovery. (Note: We strongly recommend immediate referral upon acute presentation for optimal functional outcomes).

• Orthopaedic Trauma & Amputation Care: Post-fracture management, traumatic joint luxation, and pre- and post-amputation functional adaptation, phantom limb management, and compensatory strain relief.

• Degenerative & Chronic Joint Disease: Comprehensive, long-term management for Osteoarthritis (OA), elbow and hip dysplasia, joint laxity, and developmental joint conditions from puppyhood through to senior palliative care.

• Specialised & Rare Clinical Presentations: Rare or complex conditions including stenosing tenosynovitis of the abductor pollicis longus, myofascial pain syndromes, and acute polyradiculoneuritis.

• Tissue Healing & Secondary Mobility Support: Targeted therapy for secondary myofascial and joint pain impacting quality of life, alongside clinical modalities to accelerate wound healing and resolve persistent seromas and haematomas.

We are able to recommend, and help measure for and fit, splints, braces and orthotics (see pawthoticsnz.com), as well as wearable therapy garments (k9align.com), assistive devices like harnesses, dog wheels, booties, shoulder braces, and various leg slings.

We collaborate closely with our referring vets and other professionals (such as the canine hydrotherapists at The Hydrotherapy Clinic in Napier). We are advocates for our patients and we help owners return to their vets sooner, when needed.

• Spinal & Pelvic Dysfunction: Primary axial skeleton pain—including Kissing Spines (overriding dorsal spinous processes), spinal strains, and trauma from falls—as well as secondary dysfunction stemming from poor tack fit, primary limb lameness, hoof imbalance, or historical injury.

• Tendon, Ligament & Soft Tissue Rehabilitation: Superficial and deep digital flexor tendonitis, suspensory desmitis (proximal and branch), collateral ligament injury, neck or back stiffness, hypomobility, and sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain or dysfunction.

• Movement, Neuromuscular & Movement Disorders: Targeted physical therapy, gait adaptation, and functional management for neuromuscular and movement disorders, including fibrotic myopathy, shivers, stringhalt, and upward fixation of the patella.

• Trauma & Developmental Orthopaedics: Orthopaedic trauma management, post-fracture rehabilitation, and conservative/adjunctive physiotherapy for angular or flexural limb deformities in young stock and foals.

• Chronic, Metabolic & Palliative Care: Long-term Osteoarthritis (OA) management, geriatric mobility support, chronic exertional rhabdomyolysis ("tying up") rehabilitation, myofascial pain release, wound healing, seromas, and haematomas.

• Performance & Diagnostic Support: Collaborative lameness examinations, investigating unexplained performance or behavioural drop-offs, and managing excessive secondary muscular pain and guarding to help unmask the primary underlying lameness for diagnostic clarity.

• Neurological Rehabilitation: Proprioceptive re-education, balance training, and core re-engagement for stable neurological cases (including post-trauma or cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy/Wobbler syndrome recovery).

We are able to do basic assessments of tack and hoof balance, and recommend wearable therapy garments where indicated.

We collaborate closely with our referring vets and other professionals (such as farriers, saddle and bit fitters, dentists and coaches).