Entries by Charlotte

IVDD Awareness Month, IVDD (Slipped Disc) in Dogs: The Complete Owner’s Guide to Signs, Treatment and Recovery

When a dog suddenly cries out in pain, refuses to jump on the sofa, struggles to walk or even loses the use of their back legs, it can be frightening for any owner. One of the most common causes of these signs is Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), often referred to as a slipped disc, herniated […]

Joint Supplements for Dogs: A Veterinary Physiotherapy Perspective

Joint health plays a vital role in your dog’s mobility, comfort, and overall quality of life. Whether you have a senior dog showing signs of stiffness, a dog recovering from orthopaedic surgery, or a working or sporting dog placing extra demands on their joints, supporting joint health is an important part of their long-term wellbeing. […]

It May Not Be “Just Age” — 5 Subtle Signs Your Dog Might Have Arthritis

May is International Arthritis Awareness Month, and I want to draw attention to five subtle signs that your dog may be experiencing arthritic pain or joint discomfort. What is arthritis? First, let’s talk about what arthritis actually is. There are several different types of arthritis, and although they are often grouped together, their causes can […]

Building Better Bonds: Canine Conditioning with the Young Kennel Club (YKC)

Last month, I had the pleasure of leading a series of canine conditioning workshops for the Young Kennel Club summer camp event. The YKC aim to provide young people with a place to train their dogs and compete against members of a similar age (aged 6-24). They owe their existence to the vision of one person: […]

Beating the Heat with Your Dog:

We as physiotherapist promote exercise as way to keep your dog fit and healthy, as summer temperatures soar and dog sport competitions take place, it’s crucial to understand how dogs naturally regulate their body temperature and how we can assist them in staying cool. From a physiotherapy standpoint, ensuring your dog’s comfort and safety during […]

Osteoarthritis in Dogs: Understanding, Treating, and Managing with Physiotherapy Arthritis Awareness Month

Understanding, Treating, and Managing with Physiotherapy Arthritis Awareness Month– Let’s Not Forget Our Four-Legged Friends   When we think about arthritis, we often picture stiff joints and achy knees in aging humans. But did you know that our canine companions can suffer from arthritis too? In fact, osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common […]

Pilot Study on EPA Treatment for Osteoarthritis and Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

An exciting start to 2025! I am conducting a pilot study focused on the effects of a specific PEMF treatment (from industry leaders Hofmag) on gait parameters in dogs with osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia. During the study we will be taking gait analysis readings via “Ekico Tendiboots”, in addition to activity monitoring via “Pitpat activity […]

World Health Day

In anticipation of World Health Day on April 7th, I wanted to share some thoughts on how physiotherapy can benefit your dog at all stages of its life.. Ultimately leading to a longer and happier partnership for both you and your canine companion. We often think physiotherapy is only necessary when your dog’s health has […]

Downlands Obedience and Ekico

Hi Everyone, Last weekend was a bit of a whirlwind of travel and making new friends in our canine community. On Saturday I had the pleasure of meeting the team at Ekico at their offices in Caen, France. While I was with them I received training on their very latest gait analysis equipment and they […]

Is Your Dog Expecting a Litter?

Breeding can be a controversial topic, but it’s important to acknowledge that it happens. If you’ve decided to breed your bitch, please ensure that you’ve done all the necessary health and temperament tests and have great homes lined up for the expectant litter. With that important step done, I’m here to discuss how to keep […]