Frequently Asked Questions

+ What is hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy is controlled exercise in water. It is non-weight-bearing, with low or zero impact on the joints of the dog. Hydrotherapy is administered by a qualified therapist in warm, clean water in a pool or an aquatic treadmill. Treatments are evidence based, and comprise exercises and movements to allow the therapeutic properties of water to improve muscle tone and fitness and to heal and/or give relief to painful conditions arising from musculoskeletal, circulatory, or orthopaedic issues.

+ Why use water and what are the therapeutic benefits?

Firstly, water creates buoyancy. When a dog is placed in water, the upward thrust of water supports the body so the dog does not need to support its entire body weight. This means there is low or zero impact compared to exercising on land, and there is minimal pressure or stress on joints.

Second, water creates resistance: it takes more effort to move in water than it does on land / through air. This resistance means that, when a dog exercises in water, it improves its muscle strength and improves cardio vascular fitness.

Third, water has a degree of viscosity. This is the resistance caused by the attractive forces between molecules of a liquid. Molecules in a liquid are more tightly packed than in air. This means a dog works harder when moving through water and it will improve muscle strength. Viscosity also helps a weak dog balance in water.

Fourth, water molecules have cohesion when they adhere to each other, and this is stronger at the surface of the water. This means dogs need to make more effort to break the surface of water than when moving underwater. By encouraging a dog to swim at the surface of the water, the dog will strengthen its muscles and cardiovascular fitness.

Fifth, water exerts hydrostatic pressure evenly on the immersed part of the body. When pressure is exerted on an immersed limb or body, the constant and even pressure helps reduce oedema and swelling. This in turn improves the circulatory system, lymphatic system and cell metabolism, and thus helps with pain relief.

Finally, hydrotherapy takes place in water heated to between 28 degrees celsius to 32 degrees celsius. The warmth encourages circulation and cell metabolism. Warm water also relaxes muscles and tendons, increases flexibility and range of motion, and gives relief from joint pain so that the dog can move better and enjoy pain free exercise.

+ How will hydrotherapy help my dog?

Hydrotherapy will

• provide relief from pain

• reduce swelling and stiffness

• provide circulatory benefits

• improve cardiovascular fitness

• help develop muscle strength

• help improve joint mobility / range of movement

• increase mental stimulation

• improve gait pattern

+ What conditions are suitable for hydrotherapy?

Conditions that will benefit from hydrotherapy include:

• Hip dysplasia

• Cruciate disease

• Legg Perthes Disease

• Luxating patella

• Osteoarthritis

• Degenerative myelopathy

• Wobblers Disease or Cervical Spondylopathy

• Obesity

• Geriatric idiopathic vestibular disease

+ Conditions suitable for aquatic treadmill

For some conditions, the aquatic treadmill may be recommended instead of the hydrotherapy pool. The aquatic treadmills can be used for the following conditions:

• Degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis, when still mild

• Developmental conditions, e.g. hip dysplasia

• Post surgery, e.g. cranial cruciate ligament repair

• Pre-surgery, e.g. hip replacement

+ Benefits of using the aquatic treadmill

The use of the aquatic treadmill will:

• increase range of movement, e.g. flexion and extension

• re-educate gait patterns, e.g. after weakness or paralysis

• aid earlier return to activity

• increase muscle function, strength, tone, mass

• enable specific areas to be more accurately targeted

• provide pain relief, increased perfusion of blood to healing tissues and increased flexibility (because the water is heated)

• increase cardiovascular fitness

• provide mental stimulation

Some dogs may be more comfortable on the aquatic treadmill, e.g. those who do not like being in water. The aquatic treadmill can be used for larger breeds if access to the hydrotherapy pool is difficult. The level of the water can be adjusted to suit the dog.