Case study

Care

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Rosie’s recovery journey: overcoming nerve impingement and rediscovering play

Patient: Rosie, 4-year-old Golden retriever bitch

The goal: Resolve intermittent lameness, manage suspected nerve impingement, and support healthy weight loss.

More than just a limp:
how chronic pain changed Rosie’s world

When Rosie first joined our 8-week premium package, she was struggling with intermittent lameness in her right hind leg. While she could handle long walks, she found rising after a rest incredibly difficult, often lifting her limb in discomfort as she struggled to get moving.

The clinical picture:

Diagnosis: Suspected sacroiliac joint impingement.
Initial DogMA musculoskeletal health score: 68/114 (indicating significant impact on her daily life).
Physical state: Lameness score of 7/10, visible muscular spasms in her lower back, a sloppy sit to avoid pain, and a reluctance to engage in play with her brother, Angus.

Weight: Rosie had lost some weight already but was still carrying excess weight, which was placing a heavy tax on her inflamed joints and nerves.

The solution: the 8-week Premium Rehab Programme

Rosie’s owners wanted a long-term solution rather than a temporary fix. Our holistic package provided the structure needed to address the root cause of her discomfort while supporting her overall health.

What the programme included:

Controlled exercise: A step-by-step plan to rebuild core strength, increase her hindlimb flight arc, and ensure normal movement in both back legs.
Environmental audit: We modified Rosie’s home environment to reduce the micro-traumas caused by slipping or jumping while her nerves recovered.
Manual and electrotherapy: Targeted sessions to release the chronic muscular spasms and pain throughout her lumbar spine, using laser therapy, massage, and stretches.
Weight management: A clinical focus on shedding the extra weight to decompress her spine and nerves.
Online support: Access to video guides and direct WhatsApp messaging ensured every exercise was performed with perfect form between our face-to-face sessions, and any small issues could be checked and solved.

Rosie’s transformation

By the end of the eight weeks, Rosie was moving with a level of comfort her owners hadn’t seen in a long time.

Clinical improvements:

DogMA score: Dropped from 68/114 to 22/114. This is a massive improvement in her perceived quality of life and physical comfort.
Weight loss: Now nearing her target weight, removing 6kg of pressure from her frame.
Movement: Lameness has massively reduced. She now gets up without stiffness after rest, sits and stands with perfect symmetry and has far more control during movement.
Physical health: Muscular pain in the spine has resolved, and a full range of motion has been restored to her right hind limb.

The quality of life difference:

The most significant changes were seen in Rosie’s personality. She has started instigating play with her brother Angus again: a behaviour that had stopped entirely before her physiotherapy. Her owners observed a large increase in excited tail wagging, more curiosity around the house, and a much easier time getting out of bed in the morning.

A note from Rosie’s owner:

“We can’t thank Matthew enough for his support and advice with our dog and her sciatica. Matthew is supportive and very caring, remaining in touch between sessions to offer reassurance and clarity. The rehabilitation programme provides holistic support, with advice and guidance not only for Rosie but also environmental factors in the home and where she walks. The programme helped us to measure Rosie’s progress and make adjustments with practical solutions offered at each session. Having access to the online video information has been really helpful. They are informative and clear, offering extra reassurance. The programme has offered us a step-by-step approach backed up by Matthew’s extensive knowledge and support for which we are grateful.”

— Sally, Rosie’s owner

Is your pet struggling to rise after rest?

Our 8-week premium package is designed for complex cases like Rosie’s, where a structured, clinical approach is needed to restore movement and happiness.

Over the course of just two months, we move from immediate pain management and home modifications to active strengthening and long-term wellness. Don’t let another month of stiffness pass by: start your pet’s eight-week transformation today and see a measurable difference by the final session.

Happy Clients

Sally Kemp

We can’t thank Matthew enough for his support and advice with our 3 year old dog and her sciatica. Matthew is supportive and very caring remaining in touch between sessions, this offers reassurance and clarity to keep on track. The rehabilitation programme provides holistic support, with advice and guidance not only for Rosie but also environment factors in the home and how and where she walks. The programme helped us to measure Rosie’s progress and make adjustments with practical solutions offered at each session. Having access to the online video information has been really helpful. They are informative and clear offering extra reassurance. The programme, has offered us a step by step approach backed up by Matthew’s extensive knowledge and support for which we are grateful.

Louise Murtagh

Olive's agility trainer guessed that she had a couple of problems and suggested her being checked out by a physio. Within 10 minutes of arriving Matthew diagnosed the issues and we started our rehabilitation programme. A couple of months in and she's made such good progress. She's acting like a giddy puppy in the training arena and it looks like her pain has subsided. Can't wait to start strengthening exercises soon.

Mallyfairclough Mally22

12 weeks ago we thought our dog would never walk again after a spinal stroke, now he is walking on his lead and running round the garden. Matthew was recommended to us by a friend and his guidence and advice has been the catalist for Stans recovery. Matthew has provided a physio schedule for Stan that had delivered results that we didnt dream possible and his friendly and polite manner is second to none. I would highly recommend Matthews physio services to anybody who has a loved pet that is struggling with mobility.

Lisa Lisa

Absolutely fantastic. The work both Matt and Louise have done with my dogs is outstanding. It’s rare to find people truly passionate about what they do and they genuinely care about their clients. I can’t thank them enough for the continued support for Toby koda and Rosie and I’m sure the others will have their turn too. I truly can’t recommend Shackleton veterinary physiotherapy enough.

aimee hodge

Delightful man, with a wonderful work ethic got my pup back on his feet after a cruciate ligament injury 100% recommend the Shackleton's for pet care! Thank you Matthew! 🙂

Paul Gomersall

Our 12 year old Labrador was recently diagnosed with Diabetes. As a result he was unable to move any distance and also without great discomfort. At the recommendation of our vet, we contacted Matt (Shackleton Physio) The change and progress our dog has made since Matt has been treating him is amazing and he is making a great recovery, now being mobile and much more comfortable. Matt is very experienced, knowledgeable and professional. He has a great manner with both pets and owners and explains everything very clearly, putting everyone at their ease. I would have no hesitation in recommending Matt to anyone with pet Physio requirements.

Suzanne Nimmo

Matt and Louise are fabulous and can’t thank them enough for their help and expertise with our beagle, Barney. The knowledge they have is impeccable and they teach you how to do physiotherapy exercises easily at home, with everyday items. The sessions are in-depth, easy to understand and they really get to know your pet. You can see the passion and dedication for their work from the moment you meet them. We definitely recommend them for all your pets physiotherapy needs!

Dave Marshall

Our beloved Cocker Spaniel ruptured her cruciate ligament in November 21 and she underwent reconstructive surgery with Medivet Heswall. Sharon the vet recommended that we have physiotherapy for her and I was sceptical that it would help. Matthew came and worked with her (and us) for a number of months. We followed his advice and my scepticism has been proved totally wrong. She is now 9 months post op and is as lively and full of fun as she was pre-op. She manages good walks and is able to run with her new best pal an 8 year old Beagle. We do take care that she does not over do things but without doubt she would not be able to the things she does now without the absolute expertise of Matthew. I think we tend to believe that animals will recover without human intervention but I am now sure that this is not the case. Without Matthew’s assistance advice treatment and guidance I am sure she would have a limp and be a very unhappy dog. I honestly cannot recommend Matthew highly enough. Our thanks don’t seem enough for giving us our girl back!

Glyn

We have been with Matthew for a year now and have seen a great improvement in our dog Sooty. He has gone from hopping to being very strong and comfortable which has been a joy to see. Matthew is very caring and explains all of the exercises. We highly recommend him and couldn't thank him enough for his help

Nicola Williams

Shackleton veterinary physiotherapy provided the RSPCA Stapeley Grange Cattery with some fantastic CPD and also provided us with extremely valuable advice on some of the cats within our care. Matthew has a very holistic approach to his treatments and ensures that the client fully understands the exercises that are implemented and the theory behind each intervention.

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