Starkie Vet Physio

03/09/2026

I am slowly getting back to it and managed a reduced day of appointments today and all dogs (and cat) were exceptionally well behaved 👌🐾

I will be trying to finish booking in anyone who's appointment got cancelled over the next few days.

Going forward I will be have limited appointments spread over Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday depending on your location.

I will also not be travelling as far out and will not be treating horses at this time. 👍

24/08/2026

If your dog is stiff and uncomfortable you should be looking into pain relief.

Properly prescribed pain relief reduces the inflammation in joints and allows your dog to move more comfortably, allowing for a positive cycle of movement, muscle strength, joint stability and comfort long term.

If you wait until your dog is really painful they will have lost muscle, have less joint stability and be reluctant to exercise which is a downward spiral and takes a long time to get on top of.

❌ MYTH: "We should hold off on prescription pain medication for as long as possible so my dog doesn't build up a tolerance and run out of options later."

✅ FACT: Dogs do not build up an "immunity" or tolerance to primary arthritis medications (such as NSAIDs). Waiting until end-stage pain before starting treatment actually makes pain significantly harder to manage.

When chronic joint discomfort is left unmanaged in the early to moderate stages, the central nervous system undergoes rewiring - a process known as central sensitisation (neural "wind-up"). This turns the volume dial on pain all the way up, lowering your dog's pain threshold and making subsequent discomfort far more intense and resistant to standard treatments.

Starting baseline pain relief early protects the nervous system, stops the cycle of compensatory muscle strain, and preserves vital joint mobility.

RESEARCH:
Innes, J. F., et al. (2010). "Review of the safety and efficacy of long-term NSAIDs in dogs with osteoarthritis." Veterinary Record, 166(8), 226–230.

Budsberg, S. C., et al. (2018). "Evaluation of long-term administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in dogs with osteoarthritis." American Journal of Veterinary Research, 79(4), 370–377.

Central Sensitisation in Canine Osteoarthritis:
Knazovicky, D., et al. (2016). "Widespread somatosensory sensitivity in natural canine osteoarthritis." Pain, 157(6), 1325–1332.

Lascelles, B. D. X. (2010). "Joint pain in dogs and cats: targeting the pain pathway." Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 40(5), 1023–1053.

24/08/2026

Arthritis affects up to 80% of dogs over 8 years of age. Holistic management is key to helping them live comfortably with this disease.

It's a common assumption that once a dog reaches their senior years, the safest thing is to simply do less. In reality, staying appropriately active is one of the best things you can do for an ageing dog's joints and muscles.

The key word is appropriately. Older dogs don't need to stop moving, they need movement that's suited to what their body can comfortably manage.

Ways to keep senior dogs comfortable and active:

🔸 Shorter, more frequent walks rather than one long outing
🔸 Gentle strength work to protect muscle mass, which naturally declines with age
🔸 Non-slip flooring at home to help with confidence on hard surfaces
🔸 Regular check ins so any changes in mobility are picked up early
🔸 Adjusting routines around good days and harder days rather than sticking rigidly to a plan

A tailored physiotherapy plan can make a real difference to how comfortable and mobile your older dog stays.

If you'd like some advice on supporting your senior dog, please get in touch with our team.

24/08/2026

Cruciate ligament injuries - a risk to all dogs regardless of breed or age ⚠️

Cruciate ligament injuries are one of the most common reasons dogs end up needing orthopaedic treatment, yet a lot of owners have never heard of them until it happens to their own dog.

The cranial cruciate ligament sits inside the knee and helps keep the joint stable. When it's damaged, whether through a sudden twist or gradual wear, the knee becomes unstable and sore, and dogs often go suddenly lame on a back leg.

What to look out for:

🔸 Sudden lameness on a hind leg, sometimes after nothing more than a jump or an awkward turn
🔸 Sitting with one back leg held out to the side rather than tucked underneath
🔸 Stiffness after rest that doesn't fully ease with gentle movement
🔸 Muscle loss around the thigh on the affected leg over time
🔸 A reluctance to weight-bear fully, even if they're still walking on it

Whether it's managed surgically or conservatively, physiotherapy plays a big part in recovery, helping rebuild strength and get the joint moving properly again.

If your dog has had a sudden change in how they're walking, please get in touch with our team.

21/08/2026

Unfortunately I have some bad news. Yesterday I was rushed to hospital and an mri confirmed a Lumbosacral disc protrusion (herniated or slipped disc) which has left me in a really bad way with very limited mobility at this time.

I hope to recover as quickly as I can but will certainly not be able to do any appointments next week and probably not the week after either, although I will have to see how things develop.

I will be contacting everyone who has appointments next week individually once I get hold of my work phone. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Kate x

14/08/2026

Darcy was ready for a good nap after her session yesterday. Recently she seemed to be feeling her age after a bout of illness, but with the right holistic management including physiotherapy and hydrotherapy she is back to her old cheeky self.

Never assume reluctance to exercise and going a bit quiet are just age related changes in your dog. Darcys owners knew something wasn't right with their girl, even after she had recovered from illness.

Holmeswood Canine Hydrotherapy & Rehabilitation

10/08/2026

Giving an arthritic dog pain relief as and when you think they need it can allow pain flare ups to occur instead of keeping on top of inflammation. Dogs can also be stoic meaning they may hide pain until it's much worse. A consistent administration of pain relief is a much better approach for dogs woth arthritis.

❌ MYTH: "My dog only needs pain medication on the days they seem stiff or limping."

FACT:
Osteoarthritis is a chronic, progressive inflammatory disease, not just a bad day here and there. Giving pain relief on an "as-needed" basis leaves pain unmanaged on the days between doses, allowing inflammation to flare up and joint stiffness to build back up.

In addition, intermittent treatment makes it harder to prevent wind-up pain (central sensitisation), where the central nervous system gets stuck in a hyper-sensitive pain loop. Consistent, long-term pain management, under the guidance of a vet, keeps baseline inflammation under control so your dog maintains steady mobility and comfort every single day.

07/08/2026

When you find the right spot

When horses relax they show physical signs of release:

🐴Licking and chewing: the nervous system is moving into a relaxed state
🐴Yawning or dropping the head: Tension is leaving the body.
🐴Sighing or stretching: Affirms that the horse is responding positively to the touch.

06/08/2026

Sybil has officially been signed off!

Despite xrays showing nothing to be concerned about, her owners knew something wasn't right and persevered. I found she was very sore in her back and hindlimb musculature and suggesting speaking to the vet about pain relief. We then worked on a stretching and strengthening program which in a few sessions improved the way Sybil was using her body and allowed her to feel more comfortable. Now she is off the pain relief and maintaining her comfort levels. With continued at home exercises to maintain her current condition, combined with environmental adaptations to reduce risk of injury or muscle strain, she is in a great place to be signed off (with the option for a re check anytime 😊).

I am always sad to see dogs like Sybil go, but equally so pleased they are feeling so much better.

Our baby Sybil has officially been signed off! 🙈

Words can’t describe how grateful we are to Kate for helping Sybil through her sore hips/knees!

I love supporting other businesses and I can’t recommend Starkie Vet Physio enough! Kate’s knowledge is unmatched and Sybil’s progress has been amazing! She is your woman if you ever need pet physio 😍

05/08/2026

Physio time with Millie-Mae 😍🐾