Equine

I am the osteopath in residence at Avonvale Veterinary Practice, Ratley, Oxon. UK, where I specialise in the treatment of chronic, long standing, mechanical conditions affecting the performance horse/pony. Working closely with Dr Chris Colles and his team, we have built upon the work of my predecessor, the late Anthony Pusey. As part of an integral team, I bring the physical component to the treatment programme, which also includes any x-rays, blood tests, ultra sound, scintigraphy, and infra red thermal imaging. Most patients receive their osteopathic treatment under a mild standing sedation. Some require a treatment under general anaesthetic.
For further information, or to make an appointment, please contact Avonvale Veterinary Practice. Please note that you will require a referral from your own vet.

For minor problems/acute conditions affecting equine patients please contact me directly, or via your referring veterinary surgeon.
Please note that we can achieve a much better result by working directly with your vet. This way all parties are kept informed. In many cases we are also working with your farrier, saddler, and dentist, as well as trainers.

Livestock

Livestock can, and do, suffer from the same mechanical problems that affect companion made animals. Over the years I have been able to administer osteopathic treatment to benefit many breeds of sheep, cattle, pigs, and poultry. 

Osteopathy has been shown to improve the husbandry of livestock without needing to drastically alter how a farm or smallholding is run. Better husbandry leads to better welfare, which leads to better quality of products.

For further information, please contact us directly, or through your referring veterinary surgeon.

Small Animals

I am the osteopath in residence at Arvonia Animal Hospital, Cheltenham, Glos. UK., where, for the past 15 years I have run a referral clinic for the osteopathic treatment of small animals. Any investigatory work is undertaken by your referring vet prior to starting any treatment with us. Each patient is given a course of treatment specific to its’ own needs, with owners involved in each process, including rehabilitation, and any lifestyle issues, including exercise.


I also run satellite clinics in Malvern Wells and Bristol. For further information please refer to practice listings.

Canine Hydrotherapy

Through our association with Honeybourne Vets, Cheltenham we are able to combine osteopathic care with the huge benefits of an underwater treadmill. This approach is especially beneficial for dogs requiring sustained rehabilitation following injury, or surgery. By  encouraging the dog to walk, whilst being supported by a controlled level of water, and working against that mediums resistance, less stress is put through the joints whilst the musculature is built up. The water used is both heated to the optimum temperature, as well as being constantly filtered to prevent any infections.

For further information please contact us direct. Please note that we will still need your dogs' own vet to refer to us for this type of treatment.

Exotics & Wildlife Rehabilitation

In 1992 I pioneered the use of osteopathy to treat musculo-skeletal problems in wild, and exotic species of animals and birds. This work has taken me all over the world, working closely with vets and wildlife experts in the field, as well as in many of the finest collections. For this reason I have close links with BIAZA, BVZS, BWRC, to name but a few.

Wildlife patients are mainly those with physical injuries, as well as orphans. Osteopathic treatment has allowed many individuals to be rehabilitated back to the wild much sooner than would otherwise have been possible. Most treatments are carried out with the patient conscious, though health and safety sometimes dictate the use of sedation/anaesthesia.

My work with exotics has helped to improve the physical wellbeing of some of the world’s captive breeding programme stock for endangered species, most notably Asian elephants, and white rhinos. Some of my elephant work has been assessed using infra red thermal imaging to measure the changes in peripheral circulation throughout, and following, a course of osteopathic treatment. This work was written up and presented at the 2004 and 2005 International Zoo Research Conferences.

When undertaking any osteopathic work at Zoos or collections I am acutely aware of the need for robust health and safety rules. Zoo Ost Ltd has always adhered to these at each, and every, place that osteopathic work has been carried out. We are only too aware of the very real danger that can present itself, and are keen not to put ourselves, or anyone else, in harms way.

Prior to any work being started, we will always have a health and safety meeting with the various heads of sections, as well as the veterinary surgeons. Only once we have covered all possible aspects will a treatment programme commence.

I have lectured extensively on the application of osteopathic principals applied to the treatment of wild and exotic species, both in the UK as well as overseas.

Zoo Ost Limited is committed to the furthering of links, and strengthening of working partnerships for the benefit of conservation worldwide.

For zoo or wildlife enquiries please contact us directly