Senior dog receiving physiotherapy in Cornwall

Canine Physiotherapy • Cornwall

Senior Dog Physiotherapy in Cornwall

Slowing down isn't just old age. Physiotherapy keeps older dogs comfortable, steady on their feet and doing the things they still want to do — for a lot longer than most owners expect.

Book an Assessment 📞 07510 271832

🐾 Arthritis & Mobility 🦴 Hip Dysplasia 🔴 Laser Therapy

Senior Dog Care

"He's Just Getting Old"

It's the most common thing owners say to me, and it's the thing I most often disagree with. A dog who is slow to get up, reluctant on stairs, or lagging on walks is usually not simply old — they're stiff, sore, or losing the muscle that holds them up.

Those are all things we can do something about. Age isn't a condition. Arthritis, muscle loss and long-standing joint change are, and they respond to treatment at eleven just as they do at four.

What changes with age is the approach. Older dogs need gentler handling, shorter sessions, slower progressions and more attention to what they can tolerate on the day. That's the work — and it's why a senior dog shouldn't just be given the same plan as a young sporting dog.

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Kirsten treating an older dog at the Rosudgeon clinic in Cornwall

Recognising the Signs

Signs Your Older Dog Is Struggling

Most of these creep in slowly enough that they get accepted as normal. Individually they're easy to dismiss; together they're a dog in discomfort.

🌅

Slow to Get Going

Stiff and laboured first thing or after a nap, loosening up once they've been moving for a few minutes.

StiffnessArthritis

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Avoiding Stairs & Jumping

Hesitating at steps, no longer getting on the sofa or into the car, or needing help where they used to manage.

Joint painConfidence

🛷

Slipping on Floors

Feet sliding on hard flooring, legs splaying, or visible anxiety crossing a shiny kitchen. Usually weakness, not clumsiness.

BalanceWeakness

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Muscle Loss

Thighs and rump looking thin, hips more prominent than they were, or one side clearly smaller than the other.

Muscle toneStrength

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Shorter Walks

Lagging behind, stopping to sit, or turning for home early. Often the first thing owners notice and the last thing they act on.

StaminaPain

😐

Changes in Mood

Grumpier when handled, less interested in play, sleeping more, or reluctant to be touched around the back end. Pain often shows up as personality change.

Chronic painBehaviour

⚠️ Don't wait for a limp. Dogs compensate for a long time before they visibly limp, and muscle lost over months takes months to rebuild. The earlier we start, the more there is to work with — and the gentler the work needs to be.

Treatment & Care

How Physiotherapy Helps Senior Dogs

The aim with an older dog isn't to return them to how they were at three. It's to keep them comfortable, steady and independent for as long as possible — and that is very achievable.

🤲 Manual Therapy & Joint Mobilisation

Gentle massage and mobilisation to release the chronic muscle tension that builds up around stiff joints, restore what range of movement is available, and give immediate comfort. For many senior dogs this is the part they visibly enjoy most.

🔴 Laser Therapy

Therapeutic laser reduces inflammation and helps with pain relief in arthritic joints, without medication and without any discomfort for the dog. Particularly useful for dogs who can't tolerate long-term anti-inflammatories.

⚡ Electrotherapy & Radiofrequency

Additional pain management and muscle stimulation options for dogs too sore or too weak to do much active work at first. Useful for getting a painful dog comfortable enough to start rebuilding strength.

💪 Gentle Strengthening

Muscle is what holds an old dog up. Short, low-load exercises — sit-to-stands, weight shifts, controlled walking over poles — rebuild the hindquarter strength that keeps them steady, progressed slowly enough that nothing flares up.

⚖️ Balance & Coordination Work

Older dogs lose proprioception — the sense of where their feet are — which is why they slip, stumble and knuckle over. Targeted balance work sharpens it back up and makes a real difference to confidence on stairs and hard floors.

🏠 Home & Lifestyle Adjustments

Runners on slippery floors, a ramp for the car, raised bowls, better bedding, shorter and more frequent walks. Practical changes that cost little and often make more difference day to day than anything I do in a session.

📋 Home Exercise Programme

A short, realistic set of exercises you can actually keep up with — a few minutes a day rather than an hour. Consistency between sessions is what holds the gains, and the plan gets adjusted as your dog changes.

What This Means for Your Dog

Less pain and stiffness, often with less reliance on medication
Steadier on their feet, with fewer slips and stumbles
Maintained muscle instead of continued wasting
Better range of movement for everyday things like stairs and cars
More confidence, which usually shows up as more willingness to do things
Slower progression of arthritic change through better joint loading
Weight kept in check with safe, low-impact exercise
A clear plan for you, instead of watching and worrying

Real Results

Senior Dog Case Study

A real dog, a real outcome. Sudden decline in an older dog does not have to be the end of the story.

✓ Medication Reduced Neurological Recovery

🐾 Asha — From Decline to Thriving Again

11-year-old dog. Post respiratory infection weakness, imbalance and reduced coordination.

The Problem

Asha experienced a sudden decline in mobility following a respiratory infection. Her gait became weak, unbalanced and uncoordinated, and she required medication support.

The Approach

Monthly physiotherapy sessions combined with consistent home exercise work, focused on rebuilding strength, stability, coordination and confidence in movement.

💡 Key win — Asha has made a full turnaround. Now stable, balanced, energetic, and importantly, no longer on medication.

Outcome

Asha is moving confidently again and enjoying life — even running and zooming around like her old self. Even after sudden neurological decline, consistent physiotherapy and commitment at home can lead to life-changing results.

See All Case Studies →

Session Pricing

Individual Session Rates

Transparent pricing with no hidden fees.

Assessment Only

£35

per session

Assessment

Full evaluation of your dog's condition with recommendations for treatment.

Initial Session

Full consultation, assessment, and your first hands-on treatment session.

Ongoing Treatment

£50

per session

Follow-Up Session

Continued treatment, progress tracking, and exercise plan updates.

At Your Home

£65

per session

Canine Home Visit

For dogs who can't travel to the clinic. Available across Cornwall — travel charges may apply.

Thursday evenings and weekends available by request — an additional fee applies. Get in touch to arrange.

Most Clients Choose This Package

Back on Track Package

Three structured sessions to restore movement, strength and confidence.

£1453-session package

Structured, progressive support across three sessions, helping your dog recover safely while building strength and improving movement. Real change doesn't happen in one session — it takes consistency and a structured approach.

Initial Assessment & Treatment

Up to 60 minutes

A full gait and musculoskeletal assessment to understand your dog's condition, movement patterns and areas of concern. Hands-on treatment begins, along with a personalised rehabilitation plan.

Personalised Home Exercise Programme

Included

You'll be guided through exercises to carry out at home, supporting progress between sessions. Each programme is tailored to your dog's needs and stage of recovery.

Ongoing Support Between Sessions

Included

Continued support between appointments so you feel confident carrying out the plan and can ask questions as you go. You're never on your own with it.

2 Follow-Up Sessions

Up to 45–60 minutes each

Designed to progress rehabilitation, build strength and adapt the plan as your dog improves. Reassess, treat, progress.

Book Your Package

Please Note

📌 Important Information

Vet referral or approval is required before starting physiotherapy for any diagnosed condition. I can arrange this with your practice for you.

Home exercises are essential for the best outcomes — you'll receive a full plan tailored to your dog.

Packages are valid for 12–16 weeks depending on the condition, giving your dog the full recovery window.

Insurance friendly — you pay me directly and then claim back through your pet insurance provider.

Where to Find Me

Clinics & Home Visits

Older dogs often travel badly. If getting to the clinic is a struggle, I'll come to you.

Main Clinic

Rosudgeon Canine Clinic

Packet Lane, Rosudgeon, Penzance TR20 9PU

Senior dog physiotherapy available

Also Available

Bodmin Vets4Pets

Bodmin Retail Park, Launceston Rd, Bodmin PL31 2GA

Canine appointments every other Wednesday

Is Your Dog Slowing Down?

If they're stiff in the mornings, avoiding the stairs, or just not doing what they used to — it's worth a look. Clinic appointments in Rosudgeon and Bodmin, plus home visits across Cornwall.

Book an Assessment Vet & Owner Referrals 📞 07510 271832