What Is Hydrotherapy
A complimentary form of therapy, hydrotherapy is controlled exercise in water to encourage a faster rate of recovery which can not only aid post op patients but all aspects of muscular skeletal conditions. The warmth of the water provides a medium that assists with pain relief and the reduction of muscle spasm. By immersing a patient, support is provided and this allows more ability to mobilise and create normal movement patterns. Cardiovascular fitness can be increased more easily in the water, this is perfect if a patient is on restricted land exercise. Finally, the hydrostatic pressure can aid swelling reduction.
We find hydrotherapy to be a very useful tool in the rehabilitation of dogs of all sizes and breeds with a variety of orthopaedic and soft tissue problems It may be used as a pre-operative fitness regime to allow a dog to maintain condition before an operation they can’t exercise normally. When a congenital condition is identified in a puppy, it may be the case that surgery is not possible until they are physically mature; during the period preceding the surgery, hydrotherapy can be employed to maintain the dog’s condition.
Spinal injuries or surgery can cause impairment of motor function, which may be treated by allowing the dog to exercise in water. It provides support and allows the dog to exercise its muscles while nerve regeneration is taking place. Degenerative conditions can make normal weight bearing exercise difficult and pressure on joints and limbs may aggravate some conditions, so hydrotherapy can be used in these cases to allow the dog to exercise in an environment where there is no pressure on the affected areas. Hydrotherapy may be used as part of a general fitness routine for dogs.
We understand that each patient has individual needs so please get in touch so that we can discuss your dog and obtain details from you so that we can ask your vet to complete a veterinary referral form. All patients must have one before we start any treatment so that we are fully aware of any medical history that may affect our treatment plan.
What Can Hydrotherapy Benefit?
Underwater Treadmill
Our state- of- the art underwater treadmill allows us to tailor make every patient’s rehabilitation programme dependant on their needs. We can alter water levels and speed dependent on what joint we are targeting and our aims of the treatment plan. The sanitised water, kept between 30-32 degrees offers a level of buoyancy which encourages weight bearing and increased range of movement through joints which patients may find difficult on land.
Our experience and knowledge with our machine and the differing conditions that patients arrive with allow us to use different techniques depending on what we are trying to achieve. The glass sides on the underwater treadmill allows us assess patients whilst the resistance of the water highlights any problem areas. The controlled manner of the underwater treadmill enables us to see patients post op much quicker and therefore kick starts the rehabilitation process.
What Happens In A Underwater Treadmill Session
You and your dog will be welcomed into the centre and at your first session you will be given a short introduction about how our centre operates. We will then check your dog’s veterinary referral form and will talk to you about your concerns, questions and goals for hydrotherapy. We will then give your dog a health check and gait assessment before being fitted with a harness.
Your dog will then have a quick shower and then gently encouraged onto the treadmill ramp and into the treadmill. We then gradually fill the treadmill up to the desired water level and start the belt slowly for short busts followed by a rest periods. These will vary depending on their treatment plan. Once the session has finished,they will then be gently walked down the ramp and back to the shower area for another shower, shampooed if required and dried using towels and dryer if your dog is comfortable with it. All findings from the session will be explained to you along with post session advice.
