Here are some key aspects of veterinary physiotherapy:

1. Assessment and Evaluation

Veterinary physiotherapists perform comprehensive assessments of animals, including evaluating their movement patterns, gait, posture, range of motion, and functional abilities. They may use manual palpation, observation, and specialized assessment tools to identify musculoskeletal or neurological impairments.

2. Therapeutic Exercises

Based on the assessment findings, veterinary physiotherapists design and implement therapeutic exercise programs to improve muscle strength, endurance, coordination, and mobility in animals. These exercises can target specific areas or address overall physical fitness, depending on the animal's needs.

3. Manual Therapy Techniques

Veterinary physiotherapists may use manual therapy techniques, such as joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, and massage, to improve joint mobility, reduce muscle tension, and enhance circulation in animals. These techniques can help relieve pain, improve tissue health, and support the healing process.

4. Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy involves the use of water-based exercises and therapies for animals. Veterinary physiotherapists may utilize hydrotherapy techniques, such as underwater treadmill exercises or swimming, to provide low-impact exercise, improve range of motion, and promote cardiovascular fitness in animals.

5. Pain Management

Animals may experience acute or chronic pain due to injuries, surgeries, or underlying conditions. Veterinary physiotherapists employ various modalities, such as heat therapy, cold therapy, electrical stimulation, and laser therapy, to manage pain, reduce inflammation, and enhance the animal's comfort.

6. Rehabilitation Post-Surgery or Injury

After surgeries or injuries, animals often require rehabilitation to regain mobility, strength, and function. Veterinary physiotherapists develop individualized rehabilitation programs that may include therapeutic exercises, balance and proprioceptive training, and modalities to support the animal's recovery process.

7. Assistive Devices and Equipment

Veterinary physiotherapists may recommend and assist in the fitting of assistive devices, such as braces, splints, or orthotics, to support animals with mobility impairments or to aid in their rehabilitation process. They also provide guidance on the appropriate use and maintenance of such devices.

8. Performance Enhancement

Veterinary physiotherapy is not only focused on rehabilitation but also plays a role in improving athletic performance in working animals or those involved in competitive sports. Physiotherapists may develop conditioning programs, provide injury prevention strategies, and offer guidance on optimal biomechanics to enhance performance and reduce the risk of injuries.

Veterinary physiotherapy often involves close collaboration with veterinarians, veterinary surgeons, and other animal healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care for animals. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that the animals receive appropriate medical treatment, surgical interventions, and rehabilitation support.

Enraf-Nonius makes excellent products for veterinary medicine

Enraf-Nonius offers many tools that are helpful in veterinary physiotherapy.

High Energy Inductive Therapy(HEIT)

The COMPACT-II is a unit for High Energy Inductive Therapy (HEIT). It both stimulates cell metabolism and cell regeneration, but it also regulates the muscle tone and stimulates blood flow. And since the COMPACT-II can be used statically (the therapist does not need to hold the applicator, it is fixed to the EN-Car) it is the perfect way to apply. With the COMPACT-II no skin contact is required, no shaving of the treatment surface is needed, it is easy to administer, so perfect for veterinary use!

Laser therapy

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT, type 3) is a non-invasive light source treatment with a single wavelength of light. It emits no heat, sound or vibration, but it stimulates tissue by means of photobiomodulation. LLLT is very effective, easy and hygienic to use in for:
• Wound healing
• Pain control
• Decrease tendon and ligament inflammation
• Increased cellular metabolism of different tissues

The ENDOLASER 120 VM is the ideal companion for any veterinarian. The unit provides excellent laser quality for LLLT in an extremely portable design. Easy to carry around, perfect for treatment in the stable or at the farm. And thanks to its ease of use, anyone can get the right treatment going in a breeze! The perfect solution for any veterinarian institute!

Deep heat therapy

The Tecarpuls VM is a device for DEEP HEAT THERAPY for veterinary medicine. The Tecarpuls VM generates this deep heat by means of electrodynamic energy. Deep heat stimulates the healing process and shortens the rehabilitation time. The Tecarpuls has documented effects on deeper structures (1).

Applying heat with the Tecarpuls VM is very easy. With the treatment head on one side and a return electrode elsewhere (p.e. a plate electrode on the back), the tissue in between these electrodes becomes a capacitor. The patient’s body is an electrical conductor, full of salty fluids. Like any conductor, the body has a capacitance, meaning that it stores electrical energy. And since the treatment head of the Tecarpuls VM has a non-conductive ceramic cover, this electrodynamic energy will be stored deep in the tissue, not just superficially near the treatment head. Tecarpuls therapy is therefore also known as DEEP HEAT THERAPY

Shockwave therapy

Many tendon related problems can be well treated with shockwave. A relative short intervention with quick results. The Enraf-Nonius Endopuls 811 is an excellent and portable device for shockwave. It comes in a suitcase, so you can take it to your client to apply shockwave.

Pain management and tissue treatment

The Sonopuls 492 is ideal as it combines all ultrasound and traditional electrotherapy modalities but - thanks to a battery (optional) - can be used on any location - in a barn, in your practice, at the pet station! And with StatUS, the hands-free ultrasound application, you can work very focussed and do multiple things at the same time! Effective, efficient en easy.

Enraf-Nonius is perfect for veterinary medicine.

(1) dr.med.Kaare Rodahl, S. Mæhlum, H. Frøseth og O. Søvde-Virkningen av behandling med Skanlab 25 Bodywave på den dype underhudstemperaturen