Why Osteopathy and Physiotherapy Make Sense After Surgery
Dr. med. vet. Melinda Baschera, CCRP
24.08.2025
Osteopathy and physiotherapy for pets after surgery
Dr. med. vet. Melinda Baschera, CCRP
Surgery presents a great challenge to an animal’s body, especially procedures involving the musculoskeletal system. In addition to medical treatment, the period afterwards is crucial: it’s about restoring mobility, strength, and joy of life. This is where targeted veterinary rehabilitation comes into play – with physiotherapy and osteopathy, gentle, effective, and individually tailored to your pet.
Why rehabilitation after surgery is so important
Surgical procedures often lead to temporary immobility, pain, or compensatory postures. As with humans, without targeted support, this can result in muscle loss, reduced mobility, or chronic issues.
A carefully planned rehabilitation can:
- actively support and shorten the healing process
- reduce pain
- prevent incorrect loading
- rebuild muscle
- noticeably improve your pet’s well-being
Physiotherapy for animals: step-by-step back to movement
Physiotherapy includes a variety of gentle measures tailored to the needs of your dog or cat after surgery. Examples include:
- Manual techniques to relax tense muscles
- Active and passive exercises to mobilise joints and build muscle
- Thermal applications such as cold or heat therapy for pain relief
- Modern therapies such as laser or electrotherapy to support regeneration
Always with the goal of restoring natural, pain-free movement step by step – gently, controlled, and without pressure.
Osteopathy to restore balance to the body
After surgery, fine blockages or tissue tension may occur, often caused by compensatory postures or scar tension. Osteopathy addresses these: with targeted, gentle techniques, our specialists release tension, promote blood circulation, and support the body’s self-healing powers.
Osteopathy does not work in isolation but complements classical physiotherapy meaningfully – holistically and individually tailored to your pet’s recovery process.
Caring. Professionally strong. VetTrust.
With empathy, modern equipment, and an experienced team, we accompany you and your pet through the rehabilitation period. We take time for personal consultations, individual therapy plans, and a trusting collaboration between veterinarians, rehabilitation specialists, and pet owners.
The start of rehabilitation always depends on the type of surgery and the healing process. In many cases, gentle measures can begin just a few days after surgery. We will be happy to advise you personally and discuss what benefits your pet most.
Successful rehabilitation restores joy of life. With targeted physiotherapy and osteopathy, we create the best conditions for this.
Is your pet scheduled for surgery?
Let’s plan the next steps together. Book your appointment now with one of our veterinary rehabilitation and osteopathy specialists; Dr. med. vet. Melinda Baschera and Dr. med. vet. Sophie Zatta are happy to welcome you at VetTrust Small Animal Practice Basel Central and the Basel Animal Clinic. We look forward to your visit.