Physiotherapy is an integral part of the nurses’ role in postoperative care. Appropriate and effective physiotherapy has a vital role in improving outcomes following injury or surgery, yet formal and in-practice training for this role is often inadequate. This module will provide you with background information about canine physiotherapy and how you can apply it to your patients. A variety of techniques will be covered including massage, passive movements and stretching.

You will learn when and how to use hot and cold therapy, the value of hydrotherapy and some simple but useful therapeutic exercises. The module includes case studies that you are likely to encounter in practice and you will use your newfound knowledge to plan and practise the appropriate physiotherapeutic care for these animals. Part of this care may involve collaborative working with the veterinary physiotherapist and you will find out when this is appropriate and how contact can be made.

• The role of physiotherapy in the small animal practice
• The veterinary physiotherapist and the benefits of team working
• Indications, and safe application of massage, passive movements,   stretches and hot/cold therapy
• Introduction to therapeutic exercise:
   o Strength, suppleness, stamina and proprioception
   o What is appropriate in the small animal practice?
   o The benefits of hydrotherapy
• Case studies - clinical reasoning and practical problem solving