Canine Hydro Healing

What is Canine Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy for Dogs is a form of physiotherapy treament where your pet is treated in a reduced weight condition such as swiming pool. The dogs are tied to a harness and they are engaged in a full range of joint exercises in the water. This reduce stress on their muscle and increase their cardiovascular stamina.

Benefits

Hydrotherapy are good for pet’s recovery, but recently the treatment is also use in performing dogs such as racing greyhounds.

For injured dog, these non weight bearing exercise is a good way to improved their recovery and speed up the restoration of muscle function. Going through a well-planned routine programme, the dog will have a reduction in inflammation, soreness and increased waste removel efficiency. The excerise will also improved tissue oxygenation and circulation.

How it is done

• your dog is treated by a trained hydro-therapist
• Your dog will be put into a pool with a heated temperature within 23 degrees centigrade
• Some of the center will have water jets to encourage joint action.
• case notes will be read and an appropriate treatment given.
• your dog will be monitored by the hydro-therapist throughout the treatment and temperature and heart beat will be taken before and after hydrotherapy treatment.
• your dog will be showered to warm up the superficial muscles.
• floats will be attached to your dog to aid buoyancy in the water.
• the hydro-therapist will get into the hydrotherapy pool with the dog. This will help reassure the dog.
• your dog’s swim will be timed. Dog’s usually swim in short bursts, not continuously.
• your dogs temperature may be taken during the swim if necessary.
• after treatment your dog will be showered to wash off the pool water and then dried using a blaster and towels.
• a record of your visit will be taken and forwarded to your veterinary surgeon.
• your length of visit to the hydrotherapy centre will vary according to treatment requirements and dog capability, but allow up to 40 minutes.

Some of the most common problems that are referred to hydrotherapy treatment are:-

CRUCIATE LIGAMENT REPAIR

After surgery it is vital that the knee joint is kept active to ensure maximum joint mobility in recovery and prevention of muscle wastage. Muscle tone helps to support and stabilise the joint. Land exercise is particularly uncomfortable because of the ‘jarring’ effect on the joint and some dogs are reluctant to do so or, the opposite, the dog is too active and can cause more damage. Hydrotherapy helps in both cases, giving both types of dog exercise in a safe, controlled environment.

OSTEOCHONDRITIS DESSICANS (OCD)

Research has proven that, if caught quickly, hydrotherapy treatment can in some cases negate the need for surgery in the shoulder. It is not entirely clear why this is, but case studies show it is very effective in the prevention of cartilage breaking away and maintaining joint mobility and muscle tone. Post surgery, hydrotherapy improves joint mobility and muscle and soft tissue.

SPINAL INJURY/SURGERY

The non weight bearing support offered by hydrotherapy treatment helps dogs suffering from spinal injury to exercise in a more tolerable environment. It gives the dog freedom of movement that they would not otherwise have in the early stages of recovery and builds stability in the musculo-skeletal system.

ARTHRITIS

Restricted movement, atrophy and discomfort can be greatly reduced by hydrotherapy treatment. Arthritis is very common in older dogs and dogs that have had surgery. The increased circulation helps reduce inflammation and remove excess toxins in the muscle and soft tissue that make them stiff and sore.

HIP DISPLASIA /REPLACEMENT

Dogs with hip problems suffer considerably with weakness in the muscle and soft tissue around the pelvis and ataxia (swaying of the hindquarters) is common. Hydrotherapy offers freedom of movement without pain and the improved muscle tone gained from treatment offers more stability in the hind quarters.

CHRONIC DEGENERATIVE RADICULOMYELOPATHY (CDRM)

Almost exclusive to the German Shepherd this is the gradual loss of use of the hind legs due to degeneration of the spinal cord and cannot be treated. Hydrotherapy can help maintain muscle and soft tissue tone, offering more stability in the hindquarters and possibly slowing up the inevitable ataxia and subsequent paraplegia.

WEIGHT LOSS

Dogs that are over weight, perhaps due to thyroid problems, become apathetic and are reluctant to do any exercise. Lack of exercise then makes them feel worse because of the build up of toxins in the muscle and soft tissue causing stiffness and soreness. Hydrotherapy is excellent for vasodilation, increasing circulation and oxygenation to muscle and soft tissue. This removes toxins and excess waste and helps the dog feel good and more energised.