Animal Osteopathy: A Comprehensive Guide to the Osteopathic Treatment of Animals and Birds

This is a comprehensive reference textbook for all those using osteopathic treatment techniques with animals or birds or studying to do so. The book is divided into sections: equine osteopathy; general small animal osteopathy; osteopathy for exotics- (pets such as tortoise, snakes, ferrets etc); osteopathy for wildlife - native as well as non to the UK including species found in most zoological collections; avian osteopathy - both domestic and wild/exotic. Each section covers information specific to that group. This makes the book appropriate for supporting structured post-graduate university validated courses in a clear and easily navigable way.


Content includes detailed sections on the differences encountered when working with animals; health and safety around different species; working within the law; integrating with allied professions; anatomy; physiology and patho-physiology; neurology; orthopaedics; differential diagnosis; differential aetiology of presenting conditions when compared to the human model; supportive husbandry and rehabilitation methods.


It includes sections covering approaches to patient care; specifics of taking a detailed case history; use of supporting diagnostics; observation; palpation; structuring a treatment programme suitable for each species. Osteopathic treatment techniques and physical patient contact methods are be explained as well as graphically illustrated. All chapters are fully referenced and include revision notes to act as guidelines for the reader.


It is intended primarily for post-graduate osteopaths intending to work with animals or who are already doing so. It will also strongly appeal to vets as well as to other allied professions working with animals (eg massage therapists).

Paolo Tozzi MSc Ost, DO, PT Is Principal of the First Italian School of Veterinary Osteopathy, Vice-Principal of the Italian Association of Posturologists, former Treasurer of the Osteopathic European Academic Network (OsEAN), and former Vice Principal of CROMON, the Centre for Holistic Research in Osteopathy and Natural Medicine, Rome. He lectures widely on osteopathy, biomechanics and manual therapy, and organized the first international congress on veterinary osteopathy (Rome 2012).

Tony Nevin BSc (Hons) Ost, DO graduated from the European School of Osteopathy, Maidstone, UK in 1988. He has pioneered osteopathic treatment with over 300 different species and breeds of domestic and wild creatures. Based in the UK, he works internationally, both treating and teaching. Tony is passionate about animal osteopathy and is Course Director for an MSc program for postgraduate osteopaths. He runs several equine, small animal, zoo, and wildlife clinics in the UK. His particular interest is chronic problems affecting horses and dogs. Working with veterinary practitioners has allowed him to integrate osteopathy with standard veterinary practice, often achieving remarkable results. He is author of several published papers on his equine, elephant, wildlife and avian work. He produces and presents his own radio show on osteopathy called 'The Missing Link'‚ for Corinium Radio, and is also a member of the editorial team for Animal Therapy Media.

Chris Colles BVetMed PhD HonFWCF MRCVS qualified as a veterinary surgeon from London in 1971. He joined the Animal Health Trust in 1975, where he carried out research into equine lameness. He was head of the equine clinical department when he returned to specialized equine practice in 1988. He was awarded a PhD in 1981, became an RCVS recognized specialist in equine sugery in 1996, and was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Worshipful Company of Farriers in 2000. Chris has written over 40 scientific papers and contributed to, or written, nine text books as well as lecturing to international meetings in many different countries, primarily on equine lameness.