A Holistic Approach To Pain Management

Frequently Asked Questions

📍 Based within Minster Veterinary Centre Bingham Surgery
📩 External referrals accepted
📞 Contact the practice to arrange a mobility consultation

24 Hour Emergency Care Available

What will the consult involve?

Consults typically last about 45 minutes. Your pet’s history will have been reviewed beforehand and then they will have some time to settle in. It is important the consult is as stress free as possible and most of our patients seem to enjoy the experience. Following a visual assessment, your pet will undergo a treadmill assessment to baseline their mobility and have a comprehensive physical examination. Options will be explained to you and a written report will be sent to you and your vet.

What if my pet cannot run on the treadmill?

First of all, don’t worry! Some dogs find the treadmill difficult, and sometimes we don’t even attempt it on safety grounds if your dog has significant mobility problems. The gait analysis only supports the consultation, so if we can’t get meaningful data it will still be possible to make a plan for your dog’s mobility needs

Can cats go on the treadmill?

Whilst cats can walk on the treadmill in most cases the data obtained is not scientifically valid so we don’t run cats. They can, however, benefit greatly from intra-articular medication.

My dog is nervous. Can we still come in?

Absolutely! We can make provision for nervous and fearful dogs so that they can come in at quiet times. The consultation is conducted in as relaxed a way as possible and as your dog gains confidence then we will see what they can do. Many very fearful dogs still manage to have a great performance on the treadmill

Can I claim on my insurance?

Our services are fully covered by most insurers but we recommend you speak to your provider before submitting a claim

Do I need a referral?

If you are already a client of Minster Veterinary Centre then your primary care vet will be able to direct you and help make an appointment for an initial assessment. If you are not a client of Minster Veterinary Centre then we will need a referral from your primary care vets. We will request your pet’s history and then contact you to make an appointment

Is gait analysis safe?

Yes. It is completely non-invasive. There are no injections, sedation, or restraint involved in the assessment itself. Your dog simply walks naturally across the system

How is this different from a normal lameness exam?

Traditional lameness exams rely heavily on visual observation and clinical palpation. Objective gait analysis adds:

Quantified limb loading data
Numerical symmetry scores
Repeatable benchmarking
Clear tracking of improvement or deterioration

This reduces guesswork and supports evidence-based decisions.

My dog has already had orthopaedic surgery. Is this still useful?

Very much so.

After surgery, dogs can develop:

Compensatory limb overload
Altered biomechanics
Early secondary arthritis

Longitudinal monitoring helps protect long-term mobility and detect problems early.

How often should gait analysis be repeated?

This depends on the case.

Baseline screening: once, then every 12-18 months
Arthritis cases: every 3–6 months
Post-therapy monitoring: 4 weeks after intervention and then every 3 months
Working dogs: performance-based scheduling

We tailor follow-up intervals individually.

What treatments do you provide?

We offer a wide range of possible therapies for your pet, and will discuss the benefits of each approach so that you feel confident to make an informed decision.