Rehabilitation

Changes in a pet’s movement, whether sudden or gradual, can be worrying for owners. Lameness, stiffness, reduced confidence, or slower recovery after surgery often raise questions about what will genuinely help, and what expectations are realistic. Rehabilitation at Casey & Cranbourne Veterinary Hospital is designed to support recovery and mobility in a structured, considered way.

It’s led by Dr Elizabeth Doran, a veterinarian with formal physiotherapy training, who brings a deeper understanding of movement, musculoskeletal function, and lameness into everyday veterinary care. Rehabilitation is never approached as a one-size-fits-all solution. Each plan is guided by assessment, diagnosis and clear goals, and is used when it can meaningfully support comfort, recovery or function alongside medical or surgical care.

Rehabilitation may benefit pets across a wide range of conditions, including:

• Recovery following surgery, particularly cruciate repairs
• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Arthritis and chronic joint conditions
• Ongoing lameness or reduced mobility
• Supportive care for ageing pets

It may be used on its own or alongside other treatments, depending on the individual case.

Rehabilitation plans are tailored to each pet and may include a combination of therapies, selected based on assessment and treatment response.

We currently offer:

• Physiotherapy and manual therapy
• Laser therapy, commonly used to support wound healing and musculoskeletal injuries
• Acupuncture, which may assist with pain management, stiffness and mobility in certain conditions

These therapies are used thoughtfully and purposefully, as part of a broader care plan rather than as standalone treatments.

Before starting rehabilitation, your pet’s mobility is assessed using gait analysis, a thorough medical history and appropriate outcome measures. This allows us to understand not just where a problem exists, but how it’s affecting movement and daily function.

Improvement depends on the nature of the condition. Recent injuries may respond more quickly, while chronic conditions often require a longer-term approach. In most cases, a commitment of at least four sessions is needed to achieve meaningful progress, with session frequency tailored to the condition being treated.

Progress is monitored closely, and treatment plans are adjusted as your pet responds.

Rehabilitation works best as a partnership. Owner involvement during sessions is important, as it allows exercises and techniques to be clearly explained and demonstrated.

Home exercise programs are a key part of many rehabilitation plans and may include strengthening and balance exercises, massage, or trigger-point therapy. Follow-up with the veterinarian is essential to review progress and adjust exercises as needed.

Pets whose owners consistently engage with both in-clinic sessions and home programs tend to see the greatest gains.

If you’re noticing changes in how your pet moves, or they’re recovering from surgery or injury, rehabilitation may be a helpful part of their care.

Our team is happy to talk through whether it’s appropriate and, just as importantly, what level of commitment is likely to be involved.