Spring 2025 Newsletter
- Carol Ann
- Apr 5
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 10
Welcome to our first newsletter of 2025
(and the first one we have done for a little while)
Meet the team
As this is the first newsletter we have produced in a while we thought it would be a good idea to (re) introduce everyone to the Valiant Vet Physio team. In brief:
Carol Ann Managing director / veterinary physiotherapist
Claire Veterinary physiotherapist
Alys Veterinary physiotherapist
Becky Veterinary physiotherapist (currently on maternity leave)
Gemma Veterinary physiotherapist
Charlotte Veterinary physiotherapist
Justyna Veterinary physiotherapist / clinical assistant
Katie Veterinary physiotherapy student
For detailed information on each member of the Valiant Vet Physio team please see our “meet the team” page on our website:
Star Dog: FITZ
Fitz is a very sweet 3 year old male Poodle who started therapy at Valiant Vet Physio at the start of Dec 2023 to help with his rehabilitation following surgery on his neck.
Fitz had had an MRI at the referral vets which showed compression ventral (on the underside) to the spinal cord in the region of the C3 and C4 vertebrae in his neck. He was diagnosed with C3-C4 disc extrusion and subsequently had ventral slot surgery to address this issue.
Following surgery, he came to our clinic for post operative rehabilitation. When Fitz first came to our clinic he had limited ability to stand and move, and he was unable to toilet without help.
Fitz initially attended twice weekly physiotherapy sessions for three weeks, consisting of class IV laser therapy, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, massage and passive stretches, followed by gentle active proprioceptive and strengthening exercises. All aimed at easing any discomfort, resolving compensatory muscle tightness and stiffness, as well as improving his proprioception (body awareness), strength and stability. As his strength improved we reduced the appointment frequency to weekly sessions.
By mid January Fitz was ambulatory though still quite ataxic (wobbly), and he was completely continent, so we were able to start including hydrotherapy treadmill into his therapy sessions to further help improve his gait and muscle strength.
Fitz attended regular weekly combined physiotherapy and hydrotherapy treadmill sessions from Jan to the end of April 2024, at which point we were able to reduce his appointment frequency to fortnightly then monthly sessions.
We are very proud of how well Fitz has done during his therapy journey.
Below is a short video showing his progress in the hydrotherapy treadmill:
Easter Special Offers
The following product are 10% off until the 5th May 2025
Ruff & Tumble coats and drying mitts
Ruff & Tumble cool coats
Pureflax 100% Natural Flaxseed off
Reminders
Prices as of April 2025:
Initial consultation and first treatment 75 min £75
Follow up appointment 60 min £60
Follow up appointment 30 min LASER only - please note this is used as an interim appointment between regular sessions - £40
What to do before and after therapy
Appointments can be mentally and physically tiring so we suggest toilet breaks only on the day of appointments and for 24 hour post therapy.
Please remember to bring a drying coat, drying mitts and / or towel with you to any appointments where your dog will be going in the hydrotherapy treadmill. Even if the weather is warm, we prefer you to bring a coat so that your dog is not soaking wet post therapy.
Please remember to not feed your dog a meal for 2 hours before and 1 hour after therapy.
Please ensure your dog has toileted before therapy sessions.
Please do not leave poo bags outside our clinic. We do not have an outside bin & it is un-hygienic and un-slightly to leave them.
On arrival at the clinic
Please wait outside (i.e. not in reception) when you arrive for your appointment, and if you have dropped your dog off, when you arrive to collect your dog at the end of their session.
We have a very small reception area and having people / dogs waiting in there can disturb the dogs who are having therapy.
We like to avoid dogs passing each other as they enter / exit the clinic.
This is important as our patients may be weaker / painful / reactive to other dogs, and encountering an unexpected unknown dog could lead to negative reactions and associations.
We also have gaps between appointments to allow for cleaning in between dogs. So we would not be able to take your dog straight in after another patients session.
Terms & conditions
Main points:
We treat via veterinary referral / consent and will need to update consent if your dog develops a new issue or condition or has further surgery so please let us know ASAP if this occurs.
We do charge for same day cancellations and missed appointments at the full rate. We always do our best (even with a same day cancellation) to fill the slot and if we manage to fill the appointment we then waive the same day cancellation fee.
Toileting accidents in the treadmill are chargeable at £100 as we have to close to clean, which takes several hours to make it hygienic again, and we have to refill the tank with clean water. Which means we have to cancel clients booked after the accident.
Most therapy is covered by insurance and we are happy to complete a claim on your behalf after payment of therapy. We do not offer direct claims.
Please check out our website for the full list of T&Cs.
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