Services

Physiotherapy at Raheny Veterinary Hospital

Our Physiotherapy Service is run by our Animal Physiotherapist, Maria. Maria originally studied Animal Science but found her passion in Physiotherapy when caring for her own arthritic dog, Misty. Maria continued her education over in the UK, gaining certificates in Hydrotherapy, Canine Sports Massage and Laser Therapy, she then completed a Diploma in Animal Physiotherapy in 2023.

Maria is a registered member at IAAT – International Association of Animal Therapists this is an association that upholds a professional code of conduct and requires yearly CPD to be completed.

Maria is continuing her education in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing as she has gained a new interest in regenerative medicine particularly PRP & Stem Cells. 

The aim of physiotherapy is to restore to normal function, this is achieved through the use of therapeutic exercise, electro-modalities, and massage.

Benefits include:

• Improves cardiovascular fitness
• Improves coordination and balance
• Improves mobility
• Increase muscle strength and flexibility
• Non invasive treatment option
• Promotes recovery and healing post surgery
• Provides a form of physical enrichment and mental stimulation
• Provides an alternative for pain relief

To book an appointment please contact the clinic on 01 847 8044, Veterinary Referral is needed before any treatment can commence.

Services

Radiography:

Taking radiographs is an essential part of any practice. We use a digital processor which allows us to perform high quality x-rays quickly. Sedation or general anaesthesia is normally necessary in order for us to gain good quality images, and ensure your pet is kept safe.

Ultrasound:

Ultrasound is a non-invasive and painless procedure which enables us to view the structures of the heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, digestive tract and bladder, ultrasound provides lifesaving and pain-free examination. In most cases you will be present during the procedure and sedation is not always required but we will discuss this with you in more detail at the time of your appointment.

Our team of Vets have completed extensive training in ultrasonography.

In-house Laboratory:

At Raheny Vets we have our own well-equipped laboratory which enables us to analyse your pets’ samples quickly and efficiently. Blood tests may be run as a health screen prior to a general anaesthetic, or if your pet is unwell.

• Biochemistry
• Haematology
• Urinalysis
• Giardia
• Parvovirus
• FIV/FeLV
• Pancreatitis
• Leptospirosis
• Microscope to assess skin and aspirates from lumps

For more extensive and specialist tests, we may send your pets samples to an external laboratory for analysis.

ECG:

This is a machine that is used to evaluate the electrical activity of your pet's heart.

Endoscopy:

An endoscope is a tiny camera which can be used to view otherwise inaccessible areas of the body such as the nose, throat and stomach. This allows us to do further investigation with minimal invasion.

An endoscope is a small camera which can be used to view otherwise inaccessible areas of the body such as the nose, throat, and stomach. This allows us to do further investigation with minimal invasion.

Dental Radiography:

In house dental radiography is used to effectively identify the condition of a patient’s oral health both above and underneath the gumline.

Dental radiography allows us to safely treat and prevent any underlying oral concerns that could arise.

These conditions include:

• Oral traumas (factures/luxations)
• Tooth resorption
• Gingivitis
• Periodontal disease
• Tooth root abscess
• Retained tooth root

Here at Raheny, our dedicated veterinary team will use these x-rays to safely create a dental treatment plan with you to ensure a positive outcome for you and your pet.

If you would like to discuss this further, we offer dental health checks with our nursing team who will happily answer any of your questions!

Our nursing team offer a range of FREE nursing clinics such as:

• Puppy and kitten 6 month check ups
• Dental clinics
• Exotics clinics
• Post-op checks and stitches out
• Weight loss clinic
• Geriatric clinic

Please get in contact to find out more about our Nurse Clinics!

Periodontal disease (disease of the teeth and associated structures) is a common problem in veterinary practice. Owners are often unaware that their animals have dental problems, until signs such as bad breath, drooling and difficulty eating become apparent – by which time dental disease may be advanced.

The most common trigger for dental disease is accumulation of plaque and tartar on the teeth, causing the trapping of bacteria and inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). Early removal of plaque and tartar is advisable to prevent disease progression

The best way to help prevent your pet from developing dental disease is to maintain good oral hygiene. The most effective way of doing this is daily brushing. There are many toothpastes and gels available for animals – never use human toothpastes as these may cause problems if swallowed.

A few more tips for maintaining a healthy mouth:

• Dry food is better for your animal’s teeth.
• Feeding things like dental chews and carrots can help scrape off plaque.
• If your pet will not tolerate brushing, a small amount of enzymatic toothpaste/gel in the mouth can still help.

In advanced cases of dental disease your vet may suggest your dog/cat is booked in for a descale and polish under general anaesthesia, and it will be established if any tooth extractions is needed.

Our vets have a wide variety of surgical knowledge and experience. We perform routine surgical procedures from Monday to Friday. These elective procedures include Spays, Castrations, Lump Removals, Dental Descale and Polishes. We also perform any number of non-routine or emergency surgeries 7 days a week if necessary. These surgeries can range from wound reconstructions to splenectomies, caesarean sections and fracture/cruciate ligament repairs.

For our elective surgeries, we admit patients into the hospital in the morning 8:30 am. We ask that you fast them from approximately 8:00pm the previous evening. There is no need to withhold water.

On admission, the nurse will ask you a few standard questions to gauge if your pet is fit for surgery on that day.

We will discuss with you the importance of a pre-anaesthetic blood screen in order to detect any abnormalities that may complicate your pet's surgery, and ask you for a contactable phone number whereby we can reach you at all stages throughout the day.

During anaesthesia and surgery, your pet is monitored continuously by one of our Registered Veterinary Nurses. Depending on the procedure performed your pet may need an overnight stay in the hospital, but most of our patients can be discharged within the same day.

Our Vets/Nurses will always update you on your pet’s progress throughout the day and arrange a discharge time whereby we can discuss all aspects of post-operative care with you. This includes advice on feeding, wound care, follow up appointments for wound checks or dressing changes, and suture removal. We will also discuss, in most cases, the importance of a buster collar to prevent your pet interfering with their surgical wound.

Surgical options available include lateral suture for smaller dogs and a TTA procedure for larger dogs.