What is Canine Hydrotherapy?
Canine hydrotherapy involves exercises in water to treat different conditions. It’s actually more than taking your dog for a swim. With hydrotherapy, the buoyancy of water supports your dog’s body. This reduces the stress on their joints and makes it easier for them to move and heal. Hydrotherapy can improve movement, reduce pain, and strengthen muscles.
The Science Behind Hydrotherapy for Dogs
Hydrotherapy uses water’s special features. These include temperature, pressure, buoyancy, resistance, and surface tension. They help in healing. The warm water relaxes muscles, reduces pain, and increases blood flow to the places your dog’s muscles and joints need it.
Hydrotherapy is helpful in reducing pain and inflammation, especially for conditions like arthritis and hip problems. Hydrotherapy exercises have a low impact. They prevent injury and strain while giving relief. They also tap into a dog’s natural love of water.
Conditions Supported with Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy can help support many conditions, including arthritis, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, obesity, and recovery after surgery. It’s also effective for neurological issues like paralysis or spinal cord injuries. It’s low impact. It’s great for dogs with mobility issues for any reason. But, it can also help their heart.
What Does a Dog Hydrotherapy Session Look Like?
You can use hydrostatic pressure (hydrotherapy for dogs) in different ways. Your therapist will suggest a method based on what works best for your dog and you. The two main session styles are:
- Underwater Treadmill Sessions: Underwater treadmill therapy uses a treadmill that’s underwater. This provides a low-impact, high-resistance workout. It’s especially effective for dogs that need intense rehabilitation, such as athletic dogs or those with mobility issues.
- Pool-Based Hydrotherapy: Pool-based hydrotherapy uses a swimming pool or larger body of water to provide a gentle, low-impact environment for exercise and rehabilitation. This method is ideal for dogs that require a gentler approach, such as those with severe injuries or mobility issues. You’ll likely see senior dogs using pool-based hydrotherapy.
Who Administers Canine Hydrotherapy?
Working with a certified canine rehabilitation practitioner is the best way to make sure your dog gets the best possible care and guidance in their hydrotherapy. These pros have the knowledge to design a custom hydrotherapy program that will fit your dog’s needs.
They often have access to advanced hydrotherapy equipment and facilities. These include underwater treadmills and swimming pools. While swimming as an exercise form is considered great for dogs, when it comes to therapeutic hydrotherapy, you’ll want guidance to get the best results.
When Should I Avoid Hydrotherapy for My Dog?
Hydrotherapy is a wonderful practice, but it may not be the best way to go if your dog has certain conditions. If your dog has open wounds, infections, or altered sensations, you’ll want to follow the advice of a holistic vet or a certified dog rehab expert. They will do what’s best for your dog.
Because safety is a top priority in hydrotherapy, dogs should always be supervised during sessions to make sure they feel comfortable and safe. Again, a certified canine rehabilitation practitioner can provide guidance on safety considerations and supervision.
Hydrotherapy for Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention
Hydrotherapy can be used as a form of pre-operative preparation to improve a dog’s physical condition before they have to go into surgery. Often for dogs with mobility issues, this can help strengthen them so their recovery time may be shorter on the other side. It can also be used as a form of post-surgery rehabilitation to aid in healing and reduce recovery time.
Hydrotherapy can also be used as a form of exercise and conditioning for dogs. It helps to improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of future injury. It can also be used to improve a dog’s overall health and well-being.
Creating a Comfortable Environment for Hydrotherapy
Your canine rehabilitation hydrotherapist will make sure your dog has a comfortable environment during hydrotherapy sessions. They should have plenty of room to move around and feel free. They should also be safe enough to continue the exercises they need for rehab and prevention.
Hydrotherapy is a powerful tool in the treatment and rehabilitation of dogs and is used more and more because it’s an effective and non-invasive way to help support many mobility issues in dogs. It’s more than just a treatment; it’s a way to enhance your dog’s quality of life. Your dog may be recovering from surgery, dealing with chronic conditions, or just needs a new way to stay active. Hydrotherapy can be a great addition to their care routine.
