Trendy health fads seem to come and go on an almost weekly basis. We always seem to be hearing about the latest, greatest health, fitness or diet regimes that ‘the stars all swear by. The trouble with health fads is they have a tendency to cloud popular opinion of some relatively new or lesser known treatments that actually work.
Hydrotherapy works. It is not a fad and many dogs have reason to be grateful for its existence. Sam Lees answers the question just what is canine hydrotherapy and what to do next if you decide to give it a try!
What is Canine Hydrotherapy?
Weightless Exercise
Simply put, hydrotherapy is the use of water for the treatment of illness or injury.
In the case of canine hydrotherapy it allows a dog to take part in controlled swimming exercise which can be particularly beneficial to joints, muscles and limbs as they recover from injury.
It offers a therapeutic, relaxed and enjoyable workout, which many dogs are deprived of in day to day life, particularly if they are experiencing mobility issues.
Arthritic joints or limbs recovering from injury or surgery benefit particularly from hydrotherapy.
Controlled swimming allows muscles to be stimulated and exercised without the stress element associated with land based exercise, causing potential pain.
Can Hydrotherapy Help Dogs Live Longer?
Given the sad fact that canine mobility impairment, degenerating joints and crippling arthritis is one of the leading causes for older dogs being put to sleep, embarking on a regular course of canine hydrotherapy really can help your dog to live longer.
By enabling dogs to retain muscle function, mobility and exercise well without putting unwanted stress on joints, hydrotherapy is one of the absolute best things for helping to improve mobility in dogs who have started to show signs of strain.
Does Canine Hydrotherapy Work?
Arthritic joints or limbs recovering from injury or surgery benefit particularly. Controlled swimming allows muscles to be stimulated and exercised without the stress element associated with land-based exercise, causing potential pain.
Vets recommend a course of hydrotherapy for dogs for pre-and post-surgical conditioning, to reduce weight in obese animals, for painless exercise for pets with arthritis or dysplasia, cardiovascular workout for seniors, rehabilitation for stroke sufferers, and pain management.
It is used in many orthopaedic conditions both pre-operatively to improve muscle tone to affected limbs (for instance, prior to total hip replacement) and post-operatively to improve repair - for instance in the post-operative care of cruciate ligament rupture, osteochondrosis or fracture repair where light swimming can begin as soon as the sutures have been removed.
Preliminary observations suggest that hydrotherapy if initiated early in the course of the disease, can help to maintain muscle tone in cases of degenerative myelopathy, also known as degenerative radiculomyelopathy (CDRM) and other neurological diseases with similar presenting signs.
In show dogs and racing dogs, it provides an effective means of maintaining fitness and toning muscle, particularly in the winter months, and is a valuable aid to weight control in the obese pet.
Immediate Benefits of Hydrotherapy For Dogs
Hydrotherapy techniques help to relieve pain and strengthen and re-train muscles; because the animal is effectively weightless when swimming. Hydrotherapy for dogs acts by encouraging a full range of joint motion, thus improving muscle tone without imposing undue stress on damaged tissues. This is why results can be seen quickly.
Each hydrotherapy session should be tailored to an individual dog's condition and fitness levels – all dogs should, therefore, visit through a referral from a veterinary surgeon. An assessment of the dog's condition will be made and the treatment given at each session recorded.
In this way, the progress that the dog makes can be monitored. The rate at which such progress is made will be dependent on the breed of dog, condition for which it is being treated, age and fitness level.
Is Canine Hydrotherapy Safe?
There is no set size for a hydrotherapy pool. All pools should have water heated to a temperature in the range of 24 to 30C and should allow all-year-round operation.
It goes without saying that the combination of water and electrical circuitry makes it essential that the owners and operators of hydrotherapy pools adhere to strict safety standards. There are appropriate safety certificates for owners of hydrotherapy pools.
Cleanliness of the water is a critical factor. All regulated pools must regularly test their water quality and in busy periods this would be several times each day. This is to ensure no harmful bacteria are present and there is no risk of cross-infection. In the case of hydrotherapy pools operated under the guidance of The Canine Hydrotherapy Association, their members are required to keep detailed records of water quality.
Some canine hydrotherapy providers offer an underwater treadmill for dogs to use. This enables dogs to go on a walk without putting strain or pressure on their joints.
How To Choose Canine Hydrotherapy Provider
The Canine Hydrotherapy Association (CHA) is a UK-based non-profit organisation that provides self-regulation for the animal hydrotherapy sector. Aquatherapist Malcolm Adler has this advice for people searching for a reputable hydrotherapy pool operator:
“There is no statutory requirement for Canine Hydrotherapists in the UK to undergo training. It is always advisable to visit a hydrotherapy pool before you begin any treatment programme, to inspect the facilities, ask about qualifications and training, check water quality and insurance cover, and discuss your dog's condition and the treatment programme. The key aspect is a quality treatment for your dog.”
Because hydrotherapists do not have any compulsory regulation to adhere to, as is the case with dog trainers or behaviour professionals, it does not always mean that a non-accredited practitioner is necessarily a bad one. Use your discretion as a customer and speak to as many people as possible, especially your vet, when searching for a suitable hydrotherapy practice.
How Much Does Hydrotherapy For Dogs Cost?
Rates for a hydrotherapy session is set by individual therapists and will vary according to the facility and its location. Typically a session will allow for up to 30 minutes, to include time for drying the dog afterwards.
Fees for canine hydrotherapy sessions are normally in the range of £15 - £35 per session.
In most canine hydrotherapy centres, owners are encouraged to attend sessions to help reassure their dog during their initial exposure to water.
Interested in Hydrotherapy For Your Dog?
If you think your dog could benefit from a hydrotherapy session, speak to your vet and see if they can recommend a hydrotherapy practitioner in your area.
You might also like to contact some hydrotherapy pool operators and ask if they would be prepared to let you inspect their facilities or maybe talk to some of their existing clients about their experiences.
In much the same way that it is important to dog owners to inspect a new boarding kennel and get a general feeling of confidence about the people running the operation, always be prepared to visit premises and ask lots of questions.
Find A Canine Hydrotherapist Near You:
- UK: Canine Hydrotherapy Association
- USA: IAAMB
Canine Hydrotherapy definitely works. In November 2004 my Greyhound Jagger had to have two neck spinal disc operations to remove a exploded neck spinal disc that had clamped his spinal cord into 1/4 of its normal space. Although he was able to walk with this condition due to very poor operation care by one of the senior vets at the RVC Hatfield he was a complete stretcher case three weeks later when he was allowed home. I found Greyfriars Hydrotherapy Centre near Guildford contacted them and Jagger had very many sessions to get him back walking on all four legs, In fact within 4 weeks about 12 sessions including Physiotherapy Jagger was back up walking this was New Year’s Eve 2004/5 when he greeted us on all four legs. I continued his treatment including Aquapuncture, Physiotherapy and Hydrotherapy.