Important Information and FAQs

I have an integrated master's from Writtle University College, allowing me to be a member of the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapist (NAVP) and Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP).

Unfortunately, I am only qualified and insured to treat animals.

At ER Vet Physio we take this very seriously ensuring that we wash our hands between clients or using antibacterial hand gel when this is not available. All uniform is washed regularly and changed between clients when needed. All equipment is also regularly cleaned and disinfected. Any animals showing signs of infection/virus will not be treated, due to the risk of spreading it to other clients. It would also not be fair to treat your animal due to their already comprised immune system. If you have a booking, please get in touch as soon as possible so we can discuss your appointment and you can avoid the less than 24-hour notice charge.

I am based in Stourbridge (DY8) and cover the west midlands and Worcestershire primarily as a rough guide. If you are a bit further out, there is a possibility that I could travel further so please get in touch! In some cases, I may need multiple animals to treat and or increased travel expenses depending on how much further you are. I’m more than happy to try and work something out.

This all depends on what your animal is requiring physiotherapy for. All treatment timescales are based on the healing time of the tissue. As a result, a rough healing time speed occurs in this order of, muscle, bone, tendon and ligament. This is because muscles have a greater blood supply than ligaments, therefore more healing factors are brought to that area. Certain conditions such as osteoarthritis (OA)/arthritis are degenerative, so treatment plans are more about managing the condition and compensations that arise over their lifetime.

That's great that your animal has nearly finished their rehabilitation program! You have two options, stopping treatment once your animal has officially been signed off, but ideally, this would be a great time to start maintenance sessions, to ensure your animal is still comfortable and reduce the risk of injury!

Ideally the sooner the better! The younger they start, the better chance they have at reducing the likelihood of developing certain conditions. It is also a good way to ensure that they are happy and create healthy habits from the start, such as good posture.

For an up to date price list of our sessions please click the link here.

There are multiple ways you can pay me, which I have gone into more detail here. Ideally, payment should be given prior to treatment, otherwise, I have the right to refuse to treat your animal.

Please do not ever feel embarrassed about finances, I always try and find the most cost effective treatment plans. If you get in contact with me directly, I can advise you more accurately on how we can work within your budget.

Insurance companies have started to realised the benefits that animals get from physiotherapy and now cover it in some policies. Usually physiotherapy is classed as a complementary therapy and therefore is a separate pot of money that your vets uses, so its work checking your policy's small print. ER Vet Physio does not do direct claims, all sessions have to be paid by the day of the therapy. However, we are happy to sign and help you with the paperwork to help you claim back the money.

The prices quoted includes: Obtaining veterinary consent Use of any equipment unless stated otherwise Progressive home therapy and exercise plan Advice between sessions Veterinary reports/communication Liaising with other members of your team Signing of insurance paperwork if required All travel expenses

Veterinary Consent is a legal requirement as stated of the Veterinary Surgeons (Exemptions) Order 2015, as currently anybody and that includes people without qualifications can call themselves an animal physio. Consent also enables us to work directly with your vet to ensure we are all working together to create the best plan for your animal!

It depends on how long is a piece of string? It is all down to how your animal is coping and progressing. New veterinary consent is would be required if your animal is not progressing as quickly as it would be expected, there is a deterioration in their condition, or a new condition/accident occurs. Should this occur, I will talk through you through the next steps, but please keep me updated of any changes to your animals between sessions.

The best way to do this is to fill out the online form under the tab "services & prices" linked here. Equally you can contact us via email, phone or WhatsApp to give us yours and your animal's details. Once we have those details, we will contact your vet to request consent. Providing your vets are happy, we will then contact to organise an appointment.

I will come to you, so sessions can take place in the most comfortable environment for your animal.

This is totally dependent on the animal, as some animals initially may be more comfortable with you there while they understand what is going on.

Ideally, your animal should be clean and dry and not matted if possible and ready for me to get started as soon as I arrive. I understand in winter with long hair this can be easier said than done, but this helps me to stay on time for my later sessions and able to use all my appropriate equipment.

The best environment for a session is somewhere quiet which is flat with non-slip flooring. Ideally, the area should be well-lit and dry. For dogs and small animal clients, I will also bring my own vet bed, so they have something comfy to lie on and that I can get access to as much as their body as possible without too much restriction. If their normal bed does not have sides then this should be ok as well.

Don’t worry it’s not like being back at school where you get a lecture for not doing it. The main reason for setting it is so your animal gets the most out of their treatments. If you don’t do it, it will likely slow down your animal’s progression and it may mean the outcome isn’t as successful. If you are struggling with it please get in touch and we will find a way of adapting it.

Ideally, your horse should have the rest of the day off as well as the next day after a physiotherapy session. This is because they may be a bit sore particularly if they have needed deep soft tissue work. A day off will allow their body to begin to adapt and be more comfortable in the long run.

Ideally, a physiotherapy session should be at least a week or 2 before a show to have your animal’s body a chance to adapt after the treatment and ensure that they can perform at their best. If you do have a show booked/like to show, please let me know and I will help to tailor a plan to suit you.

Providing your vet is happy and they are medically suitable for both, it is generally seen as approach that gets the most optimal results. It is what is known as a multimodal approach as well as any veterinary intervention that may be required. If you want mobile physio as well as hydro, please contact me first, as I will be able to help get the ball rolling quicker.

I have a hydrotherapy clinic on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday afternoon/evenings.

Bluewaters is a canine therapy centre that specialises in hydrotherapy and physiotherapy for dogs, based at the DeBeers Garden Centre (Worcester Road, Kidderminster DY11 7SB.

I have a physiotherapy clinic based at Bluewaters Canine Centre on Tuesday afternoon/evenings.