How do I know if my animal needs physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy may be suggested by your veterinarian. Alternatively, you may notice behaviour, movement or performance changes in your animal which may be caused by an underlying musculoskeletal issue. Animals can be masters of masking their own pain but signs such as changes in gait pattern, unwillingness to move, reactive or submissive behaviour or inability to perform normal activities can be indications of a problem.
Will my insurance pay for my animal’s physiotherapy
Many insurance companies do cover physiotherapy treatment but please check your individual policy or contact your provider to be sure. The Animal Physiotherapist does not liaise with insurance companies on your behalf. You are required to pay for your animal’s physiotherapy at the time of appointments and obtain a receipt to claim back your costs. Written reports can be provided for your insurance company if required.
Do I need a referral from my vet for physiotherapy?
Yes. It is a legal requirement that anyone treating your animal has consent from your veterinarian before any treatment takes place. This is in accordance with ‘The Veterinary Surgeons Act, 1966. The veterinary referral form can be accessed here and must be completed prior to your first appointment.
How long do appointments last
First appointments for most animals take around 90 minutes. Follow up appointments will be approximately 60 minutes. Appointments for rabbits and small animals do not take as long but this depends on the individual problem. Sometimes, appointments may take longer depending on the treatments indicated but this will be at no additional cost to you.
How many physiotherapy sessions will my animal need?
This very much depends on the reason for the referral. Some problems will only need one or two sessions whereas others will require a longer course of rehabilitation over weeks or months. Some long-term conditions such as osteoarthritis benefit from regular treatment several times a year to maintain the animal’s general mobility and quality of life. Competition and working animals are seen routinely to maintain the health of the musculo-skeletal system and enhance performance.
What area do you cover?
The Animal Physiotherapist is based in Edinburgh and treats animals throughout Central Scotland and the Borders.
How do I book an appointment?
Please contact The Animal Physiotherapist by email or phone and we will be happy to help you. Please note that a first appointment can only be made following consent from your veterinary surgeon. This is a legal requirement in accordance with ‘The Veterinary Surgeon’s Act, 1966’. A referral form is available here. If you require any assistance with this, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
How can I pay?
Payment is taken by bank transfer, cash or cheque on the day of appointment.
See Pricing for more information
What is an ACPAT physiotherapist?
ACPAT stands for ‘The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy’ and is a special interest group of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). ACPAT physiotherapists have first gained a university degree in human physiotherapy and then achieved a post-graduate award in veterinary physiotherapy. The term animal or veterinary physiotherapist is not a protected title, unlike Chartered Physiotherapists in human medicine.