Your First Appointment

Dogs/Cats - Make sure your pet is clean and dry for the appointment. I will need a clear space to treat your pet, ideally somewhere comfortable and calm for them.
I will likely ask you to walk and trot your dog so I can see how they move so please have a collar/harness and lead handy for this.

Horses - Ideally your horse will be clean and dry for the appointment. I will need space to safely move around the horse.
Please be prepared to walk and trot your horse, as well as possibly lunge.

How to prepare

What will happen

To start with, we will have a relaxed chat about your pet and what your goals are. We will discuss your pet's history and their current lifestyle so I can get a full picture and give the most effective treatment.

Static Assessment - I will view the animal at all angles, this will give me vital information about their conformation, viewable muscle inbalances, condition, how they are holding their weight etc.

Dynamic Assessment - I will then ask you to walk the animal in a straight line which I will view again from all angles (both sides, in front and behind). Then we will do the same again in trot. I will likely also ask to see the animal take a few steps backwards and walk in circles. This will show me how the animal is moving, if there is anything to note in their gait pattern, if they are taking their weight off of a particular limb etc.

Palpation - I will carefully feel your pet all over. This will give me more detail about any pain/discomfort in any particular area. It will also tell me more subtle details about tissue states. Whether there are areas of high tone or tightness or areas where the muscle is less strong and could do with strengthening.

Range of Motion - I will gently move each joint to feel for any restrictions and assess the range of motion the animal has.

All of this together will give me a full picture of your animal and allow me to clinically reason the best treatment for them.
Your pet will then receive a full treatment which may consist of manual therapies, electrotherapies and remedial exercise. I may also create a home plan for you to follow in between sessions.

Follow up appointments

Follow-up appointments will consist of a mini assessment, which may include asking you to walk/trot the animal up again just to see how they are getting on. After this they will receive their treatment.

Terms and Conditions

Please note that by making a booking with Megan Vickers Veterinary Physiotherapy, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions and privacy policy. You also agree to attend the appointment that you have booked.

Appointments can be booked via email, Whatsapp, text or phone.

Should a new or previously undiagnosed pathology be suspected during assessment, treatment may not be able to take place until the animal has been seen by a vet.

Cancellation policy: I require a minimum of 24 hours notice if an appointment has to be cancelled. Cancellation with less than 24 hours notice will incur a charge of 50% of the appointment cost. Failure to attend the appointment with no warning will incur a charge of 100% of the appointment cost.

Payments: Payment must be made on the day of the appointment and can be done via BACS, cash or card (dependant on signal)