Animal Mechanics Veterinary Physiotherapy

Animal Mechanics Veterinary Physiotherapy Specialist Mobile Veterinary Physiotherapy I am able to visit your home or where your animal normally lives and treat accordingly from a Veterinary Referral.

I am fully insured for public and professional liability through my membership with the Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapists (IRVAP) and in accordance with the Veterinary Act 1966, will only ever treat an animal with a veterinarians’ referral. As you might be aware, Veterinary Physiotherapy consists of manual therapy, electrotherapy and performing functional exercises in

order to treat musculoskeletal conditions, neurological conditions, age related deterioration and to prevent injury and improve performance or quality of life in animals. Animal Mechanics can provide a suitable method of pain relief, enhance the healing process following injury or surgical procedures, and ensure optimal muscle function following surgery, and rehabilitate musculoskeletal and neurological conditions.

29/08/2026

🥕 Why Carrots Are a Smart Snack for Your Pet — The Science 🐾:

That crunchy orange treat is actually a little pharmacy of plant compounds. Here’s what the research says:

🌈 Color = Different Superpowers
Carrot color isn’t just pretty — it signals different nutrients:
• Orange = alpha- & beta-carotene
• Purple/black = anthocyanins + the highest polyphenol/antioxidant load
• Red = lycopene
• Yellow = lutein (an eye-supporting nutrient)

🛡️ A Real Immune Boost (Proven in Dogs)
In controlled studies, dogs fed beta-carotene had stronger immune responses ; higher helper-immune cells and more antibodies. Dogs genuinely absorb beta-carotene into their blood and immune cells.

🔥 Nature’s Anti-Inflammatories
Carrots contain unusual compounds called falcarinol and falcarindiol. In lab studies these calmed inflammatory signals in cells (lowering IL-6, TNF-alpha, and nitric oxide).

🦠 Happy Gut Bacteria
Carrots’ soluble fiber (pectin) is food for the good bugs in your pet’s gut. Pets need fiber for a healthy microbiome. Bacteria ferment it into short-chain fatty acids that support the gut barrier, calm inflammation, and help regulate metabolism.

🍬 Low in Sugar — and No, They Don’t “Feed Yeast”
Carrots taste a little sweet, but the actual sugar per serving is small. A carrot has a low “glycemic load,” meaning a normal treat-sized portion does not spike blood sugar. The yeast overgrowth people worry about is driven by refined/free glucose in the gut, not by the modest natural sugars in a whole, fiber-rich vegetable — in lab models it’s concentrated glucose that fuels yeast growth. Bonus: carrots’ fiber actually feeds the good bacteria instead.

👀 Eye Support
Lutein and beta-carotene are antioxidants that help protect the eye from oxidative stress.

✅ Pet-Parent Tips
Offer carrots raw for a satisfying crunch (great for teething puppies, too!) or lightly cooked, depending on your dog (and what kitties prefer). Steamed, mashed carrots (mixed with bone broth) work great on a lick mat, and slicing mini carrots into thin rings makes great low-calorie training treats for dieting dogs 🥕
➡️ 1 inch of carrot for every 3 pounds of body weight per day.

22/08/2026

Did you know one of the simplest ways to make your dog happier is to let them sniff?
A 2025 study showed that dogs who spent just two weeks doing daily nose work approached new situations with greater optimism, confidence and curiosity.
Why? Because sniffing isn’t just how dogs explore the world; I t’s how they think, solve problems, and satisfy one of their most important natural instincts.
Every walk doesn’t have to be about covering distance. Slow, strolling “sniffaris,” scent games, hidden treats, and nose work activities give your dog’s brain the enrichment it craves while helping reduce stress and improve emotional well-being.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your dog’s mental health is simply giving them permission to stop... sniff... and experience the world the way nature intended. 🐾
🐾 Let your dog lead the next walk. You might be surprised how much happier you both become.

06/08/2026

The Environment and Climate Change Committee has published its report, ‘Paws for concern: pets, parasites and pollution’, which calls for a ban on the general sale of off-the-shelf and unchecked online pet parasite treatments. The Committee argued for a recalibration of how the UK approa...

04/08/2026

Is your senior dog sleeping more, wandering the house at night, forgetting routines, or seeming a little “off” their game?
Many pet parents assume these changes are simply part of aging, but they could be early signs of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD). This condition closely resembles Alzheimer’s disease in people.
Research shows brain health isn’t fixed. Fresh food, regular exercise, environmental enrichment, omega-3 fats, antioxidants, targeted supplements, and early intervention all help support cognitive function and improve quality of life.
In my newest article, I explain:
🐾The earliest warning signs of CCD
🐾What happens inside the aging brain
🐾Nutrients shown to support memory and learning
🐾Why daily activity protects the brain
🐾Practical ways to help your dog stay mentally sharp for years to come
Growing older is inevitable, but growing older well is something we can influence. Check out my latest article, link in comments. 🐾

19/07/2026

For many years, decompressive surgery has been considered the treatment of choice for non-ambulatory dogs with thoracolumbar IVDD.

But is that truly the case?

A prospective cohort study from the University of Cambridge suggests that the question of conservative vs surgical management for IVDD isn't quite as straightforward as we may have thought.

Researchers followed 72 small, non-brachycephalic dogs that were managed conservatively after acute thoracolumbar disc extrusion.

Their findings are exciting:
• 96% of dogs that still had deep pain sensation regained the ability to walk within 12 weeks.
• 48% of dogs that had lost deep pain sensation also regained ambulation in 12 weeks.
• Recovery occurred even in some dogs with severe spinal cord compression, and was not dependent on complete resolution of the compression seen on MRI.

This doesn't mean surgery is no longer indicated. Surgery remains an important treatment option and may still be the best choice for many patients.

What this study does suggest is that conservative management should not automatically be viewed as a poor alternative when surgery isn't possible because of financial, geographic or medical constraints. For many dogs, it represents a realistic treatment pathway with the potential for positive outcomes.

As always, treatment decisions should be made on an individual basis, considering the dog's neurological status, imaging findings, overall health and the goals of the family.

Reference:
Khan S, Jeffery ND, Freeman P. Recovery of ambulation in small, nonbrachycephalic dogs after conservative management of acute thoracolumbar disk extrusion. J Vet Intern Med. 2024 Sep-Oct;38(5):2603-2611. doi: 10.1111/jvim.17149. Epub 2024 Jul 25. PMID: 39051966; PMCID: PMC11423491.

July is IVDD Awareness Month - be sure to tag us in your success stories, educational posts and more so that we can share them on!!


Paw Prosper Walkin' Pets Help Em Up Harness FitPaws

17/07/2026

A helpful post with good ideas particularly for people who may
have working dogs or who may be travelling, on holiday or camping with their dogs. An easy way to help keep them cool.

Something that is always good to think about ahead of time so you are not making unresearched decisions whilst in an emo...
13/07/2026

Something that is always good to think about ahead of time so you are not making unresearched decisions whilst in an emotional state.

12/07/2026

ANSWER TO 'YOUR DOG COLLAPSES AND STOPS BREATHING' POST BELOW

THIS COULD SAVE A PET'S LIFE - PLEASE SHARE.

If your dog ever collapses and becomes unresponsive or stops breathing, quickly 'peck' the the bone beneath the nose where the 2 lines shown below intersect.

Any sharp object to hand can be used - a drawing pin, needle, pin, tip of a fork or even a fingernail.

Repeated 'stabbing' of this acupuncture point stimulates respiration, and can make the difference between a pet regaining consciousness or not.

This should be followed up by a trip to the vet to determine the reason for the 'attack.'

NOTE

We have personally verified the efficacy of this technique for restoring normal respiration in apnoeic pets, in clinical veterinary practice on numerous occasions. (Especially in neonates and pets either under anaesthesia, or during the recovery period.

LINKS:

Efficacy of VG26 and K1 acupuncture points in cardiopulmonary resuscitation of neonatal puppies born by cesarean section: >>> https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12038903/

Acupuncture in the Anesthetic Recovery of Bi***es Submitted to Ovariohysterectomy: >>> https://link.springer.com/article/10.51507/j.jams.2023.16.3.95

Veterinary Medical Acupuncture in Critical Care Medicine:>>> https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=11343&catId=34551&id=5124185&ind=11&objTypeID=17

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