Gina Cook - Veterinary Physiotherapy

26/11/2025

Atticus 🥰
This little dude gets his own shout-out tonight as today's session felt like we finally turned a corner (hopefully it's not a one-off 😂)
Atticus has gone from a nervous boy who struggles to tolerate any touch from me. This results in the shrillest barks and overstimulated toy frustration.
As I couldn't get a lot of hands-on, we worked on confidence in the clinic and lots of homework. Atticus showed discomfort in the forelimbs but also a lot of weakness through the hind. So similar to the last post, we focused on working that hind end to see if the forelimbs got some relief.
Today, atticus sat still for minutes at a time and looked like he was enjoying his massage. He allowed for his hind limbs to be massaged and also allowed for some ultrasound in the hips and shoulders. (Albeit we had to have some liver paste, but he's never let us touch him with the machines, and laser is currently a no-go due to the noise it makes)
He's currently looking very comfortable and has had no issues with lameness. He's also a super star at his exercises, and his Conformation has changed from a curled up little dog to a strong and proud one.
What a good boy 😍😍
I love seeing nervous dogs progress. Makes it all worth it 💓

26/11/2025

An interesting case for me at
This little lad attended with carpal hyperextension and hindend weakness, collapsing through the hock and instability in the stifles.
He also has a poor compensation posture with a lot of curvature in the spine.
As he was 5 months old at the start, I decided to give hydrotherapy and conditioning a try before considering splinting the carpus. This was after reading lots of research for pros and cons of splinting, especially a puppy.
Due to the discomfort in his hips, stifles, and lumbar, my primary focus was to increase the comfort in these ares and focus on strengthening it up to try and relieve the additional weight bearing through the front. His owner has been working hard with his home rehab plan.
And well, it's only been 4 weeks, and we're seeing some lovely changes in his posture. Much stronger through the hind end, lovely straight spine, and even some lift through the carpi.
Im looking forward to seeing his progress over the next 6 weeks.
What do you guys think?!

05/11/2025

These are some of the nervous horses and dogs I’ve worked with — each one teaching me something new about patience and trust.
It’s not about forcing calm. It’s about creating safety.
When they start to soften, breathe, and choose connection over fear — that’s when real progress begins.

Nervous and reactive horses (and dogs) aren’t “difficult” — they’re communicating.
With time, patience, and gentle consistency, we can help them feel safe enough to relax, move freely, and start to trust again.

Every small sign of calmness is a big step forward.

A few of the dogs in the videos have come from at , and its been amazing watching them build that trust and see a change in their comfort and personality.

We also have lots of dogs from working through their behaviour issues but also through their unseen pain, and Lucynda has picked up on lots of subtle behaviours that I have been able to treat 🥰

Then comes the reactive horses, who I will admit are usually tougher at building trust. One case is Molly owned , who initially couldn't tolerate any touch. Fast forward to last week, and we didn't have a single reaction. She allowed poll release, picking up legs and even deep tissue massage in her tender neck. I couldn't be prouder seeing her behaviour change as she is so lovely 🥰

.wins_
+ Thomas

04/11/2025

🐾 Why Canine Exercises Matter 🐾
Just like us, dogs need movement to stay strong, mobile, and pain-free! 💪
Therapeutic exercises are a key part of veterinary physiotherapy — helping dogs rebuild muscle, improve balance, and recover safely after injury or surgery. 🐕‍🦺✨
Regular, tailored exercises support:
✅ Joint health and flexibility
✅ Core strength and stability
✅ Better coordination and confidence
Every dog’s plan is unique — designed to match their condition, lifestyle, and goals. ❤️
Ask your veterinary physiotherapist about which exercises could help your dog move and feel their best!

04/11/2025

I didnt get many photos last week but enjoy some of the familiar faces at .
There's been a mix of sporting dogs, seniors dogs and horses with arthritis, younger dogs with spinal pain, maintenance care for healthy dogs, a goose, reactive dogs working through their issues and a younger horse who this time has injured her tendon sheath. There's always something 😂

02/11/2025

31/10/2025

In memoriam Ruby

Ruby attended the clinic as she often had corn problems (as greyhounds do) and would get a lot of muscular pain because of this. She also had some arthritis which we also managed.
However, one day, when Ruby attended, she got very upset on carpal (wrist) flexion, so a quick referral back to the vet led to the diagnosis of the dreaded osteosarcoma
Unfortunately, this progressed quite quickly, but I had the privilege of giving Ruby palliative care, which was massage, fusses, and snoozes.
Ruby only lived around the corner from the clinic, and apparently, even when she struggled, she pulled in my direction on her walks, which is the biggest compliment!
Ruby spent her last few days enjoying ice cream, steak, and other delicious meals and said her goodbyes upside down in her bed with her little toothy pegs out.
Knowing only the love from her family as she fell asleep ❣️

Osteosarcoma is a horrible disease, but im glad I was there to help pick up the early signs so that she could have her pain managed immediately, and she got to enjoy every last minute she had ❤️

Thanks to Broughton Ryan Mobile Vets for managing her quickly and keeping her comfortable 🧡
Thanks to Greyhound Rescue And Co-ordinated Emergencies for finding ruby wonderful owners ❤️

See you in another life, Ruby ❤️

23/10/2025

At Gina Cook Veterinary Physiotherapy, I provide expert, evidence-based rehabilitation and performance care for dogs and horses (and other animals!). 🐾
Using a combination of massage, stretching, laser therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, and tailored exercise programmes, physiotherapy can:
✔️ Relieve pain and stiffness
✔️ Improve mobility, strength, and balance
✔️ Support recovery after injury or surgery
✔️ Enhance quality of life for senior pets
Every treatment plan is designed around your pet’s individual needs — because they deserve to move comfortably and enjoy every adventure. 💚

📞 Get in touch today to find out how physiotherapy could help your pet thrive!