Firstly I can hear you asking the question, what is canine hydrotherapy and how can it help my dog? ok lets start from
the beginning.
What is Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is a form of low impact physiotherapy. In Greek the word hydrotherapy means “Water Healing”.
Hydrotherapy can be used for;
- General fitness
- To help with weight loss
- After an injury
- To aid with medical conditions i.e. arthritis
Hydrotherapy uses water to enable an animal to move or exercise its muscles and joints whilst its body weight is supported. It is particularly useful if animals are sore or lame when trying to walk. Lame animals lose muscle so Hydrotherapy is an easy, affordable way to help your dogs regain their muscle.
What are the benefits of hydrotherapy and when should it be used?
- Increase general exercise
- Aid in weight loss, working along side a healthy diet
- Post operatively after orthopaedic surgery e.g. Cruciate ligament
- Elbow or hip dysplasia, especially in young dogs
- Arthritis/ stiffness or old age
- Lameness
- Help improve stamina in show and racing dogs
- DJD (Degenerative Joint Disease)
At Anrich Veterinary Hospital we also do fun swims but, What are fun swims?
Fun swims are exactly what they say, fun sessions were the hydrotherapist and the patient have fun in the pool whether this is playing with toys or chasing each other around the pool. Its great exercise too, recent research shows that a 5 minute swim is equivalent to a 5 mile run..
Let me ask you a question! Do you know someone who suffers from Arthritis and has physiotherapy?
Is your dog becoming stiff or suffering from arthritis? Why not bring your dog to hydrotherapy, I’m sure your pet will be thankful. Animals with arthritis have very swollen and painful joints. Walking and Exercise becomes very uncomfortable for them and they may also find it difficult to get back up after lying down for long periods of time. Most animals gain weight as they are much less active, putting even more pressure on their joints.
When animals have hydrotherapy the water supports the weight of their body so that they are able to move and exercise their joints easily. The warm water also helps reduce some of the swelling in the joints. The increased exercise makes joint movement easier, helps regain fitness and can help them to lose weight they may have gained.
How is the hydrotherapy pool different to taking my dog swimming in the lake or at the sea side?
Firstly the pool is at a controlled warm temperature of around 30°c. This helps to aid blood circulation whereas sea
and lakes are colder so reduce this. Swimming in the sea and lakes can also cause gastroenteritis, skin problems (dermatitis), eye problems, ear problems as well as the possibility of your pet getting into difficulties whilst swimming. The hydrotherapy pool is a controlled environment. As well as your pet wearing a life jacket throughout, there is also a nurse in the pool with them the entire time so if any difficulties are encountered then there is somebody that can help. The water is tested on a regular basis to ensure your animals safety.
Anrich treated my German shepherd pup for hip dysphasia now after 3 months of hydrathearpy following the operation back to being a happy pup again ….big thanks again. Mr Forshaw. ..st,Helen’s
Please put an enquiry form at the bottom here so clients can fill it out and send it to us by email.
Name
Tel:
Pets Name
Condition
Details
