Hydrotherapy
What to expect
A veterinary referral is needed before the veterinary physiotherapist treats the animal in accordance with the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. Please ensure you have completed a veterinary referral form beforehand - we can help you with this.
All sessions are carried out by a qualified hydrotherapist. In your hydrotherapy session your animal will either use the underwater treadmill or the pool, this is decided by the vet team and the therapist.
Sessions range from 30 minutes-1 hour and the therapist works with your dog at a steady pace to acclimatise them to this new form of exercise, this is different for every dog. The therapist will assess their gait pre and post session to monitor progress.
Things to know before your session:
- Do not feed your dog 4 hours prior to Hydrotherapy
- Do not feed your dog 1 hour post hydrotherapy session
- No vigorous exercise before or after your session
- Bring a drying jacket and or towel to help dry your dog
- Please bring your dog clean and not muddy
- Please toilet your dog before every hydrotherapy session
- Please notify the therapist of any changes as this may mean your dog cannot complete their hydrotherapy session
When your dog should NOT swim
Please notify our therapists of any changes to your dogs health however, if your dog presents with any of the below notify the therapist before your appointment.
- Fractures
- Any illness, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Open wounds
- Temperature
- If they are taking antibiotics
- Change or worsening of condition
- Any new presentation of pain or lameness
- Inflammation of an area
What is hydrotherapy for dogs?
Hydrotherapy works by using water to exercise your dog, to help increase range of motion of joints, increase muscle building and mass, increase fitness, alleviate inflammation, decrease pain and general well being for your dog.
Hydrotherapy helps with:
- Pre and post operative cases
- Arthritis
- Neurological disorders
- Hip/elbow dysplasia
- Soft tissue injuries
- Cruciate disease
- Pain and swelling
- Obesity
- Fitness and muscle building
Swimming is a completely non weight bearing exercise, this helps with any diseases like arthritis as no pressure and forces are going through the limbs.
The underwater treadmill takes 80% of their weight off them at the maximum water height we go to. This also helps alleviate pressures on limbs but it is particularly useful for dogs with neurological disorders, muscle building, dogs who are nervous of water and rehab cases where we want to alter their gait or support structures more.
