Melbourne Animal Physiotherapy is now available at the
Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre, staffed by Lauren
Stanley. Lauren is a qualified Physiotherapist with a
Masters degree in Animal Physiotherapy, specializing in
canine and equine treatment. The course is completed at the
University of Queensland over 2 years, working closely with
the veterinary profession to enhance the care and recovery
of animals. Lauren continues to work in a sports and spinal
human physiotherapy clinic which she has been a partner in
for 5 years, but hopes to broaden her caseload into small
animals. Outside of work, she enjoys what most physio’s do…
keeping fit and injury free, and hopes to participate in the
World Olympic Distance Triathlon in 2009. Physiotherapy
relieves pain and enhances recovery in both companion and
performance animals, and is important in the prevention,
cure and rehabilitation of most injuries, degenerative
conditions and surgeries.
Treatments can successfully restore function following orthopaedic, neurological or general surgery, as well as manage conditions such as arthritis, hip and elbow dysplasia, obesity, amputation, and poor performance to get your pet back on their paws!
Physiotherapy involves the use of manual techniques such as joint mobilization, massage, stretching and trigger point release. Electrotherapy such as laser, electrical stimulation, heat/cold application, and ultrasound may also be used for pain relief and to speed healing. Dry needling (or acupuncture) is another useful technique to alleviate painful trigger points. Splints, harnesses and carts can be supplied to facilitate mobility problems.
Animal Physiotherapy allows our animals to receive the same level of care we do, offering them a more normal and comfortable life. In any case, early detection and treatment is most important to allow optimum recovery.
Home visits are also available for special cases.
Lauren Stanley
Melbourne Animal Physiotherapy
In late May, Dr Darren Merrett and a variety of medicine team staff (they drew straws for their chance to attend!) spent 2 mornings at Werribee Open Range Zoo performing endoscopy on 4 of the Zoo's cheetahs. The cheetahs were being screened for gastric helicobactor.
The Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre now provides a full range of veterinary referral services at the Animal Accident & Emergency Centre, Hargrave Avenue, Terminal Essendon Airport, Essendon Fields, Melways Reference Map 16 C8.
There are a number of procedures, diagnostic work-ups and treatments being performed at this site including ultrasound, endoscoptic, xray, minor surgery, skin test etc. For those procedures that cannot be completed on-site, the patients will be transported to the Glen Waverley base and then returned to Essendon for client convenience at no charge.
Drs. Darren Merrett, Peter Bennett and Rob Labuc are the internal medicine specialists with assistance from the Internal Medicine Registrars Drs.Jennifer Brown and Felicity Meffert and Resident Dr Kate Heading.
Dr.Greg Burton, Rebecca Bassett and David Robson delivery specialist dermatology services, for all skin diseases, all species, including ear and nail diseases.
Drs. Pete Laverty and Simon Kudnig offer a full range of services including neurosurgical, oncological, orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery.
Dr. Peter Bennett leads the oncology department with assistance from the Oncology Registrar Dr. Maureen Cooper and Intern Dr Laura Brockley.
Dr.Kersti Seksel provides specialist animal behavioural services monthly by appointment.
Kersti has recently had Resident Dr Jacqui Ley join the Behaviour Service.
The Glen Waverley hospital has completed a building extension and renovation of the premises next door to accommodate three new theatre suites. The specialist operating theatres are fully equipped adhering to aseptic protocols equivalent to human hospital standards
The surgical suites, scrub area and instrument/sterislation room are isolated from the rest of the hospital with barrier materials required to enter the facility. The building has been necessary to meet the demand of a two specialist surgeon, 7 days a week caseload and to provide arguably the premier private veterinary surgical operating facility in Victoria.
