Benefits

Hydrotherapy has been proven to:

• Increase joint mobility.
• Increase cardiovascular output.
• Improve condition and mass of muscle.
• Develop strength and endurance of muscle.
• Improve circulation and skin condition.
• Generally speed healing.
• Reduce inflammation, stiffness and pain.
• Promote relaxation and rest.
• Improve physical fitness.
• Assist weight loss.
• Mentally stimulate.

Exercise without pain offers an improved quality of life for your dog.  Your dog will enjoy having more energy and will be happier.

Conditions

Hydrotherapy is a safe and effective treatment which has been used to treat dogs with:

• Hip and elbow dysplasia.
• Orthopaedic fractures.
• Osteoarthritis.
• OCD.
• Legg-Calve Perthes disease.
• Cruciate ligament disorders.
• Luxating patella.
• CDRM.
• Spondylosis deformans.
• Cervical spondylopathy.
• Intervertebral disc protusion and spinal surgery.
• Soft tissue injuries.
• Tendon rupture and damage.
• Muscle strains and ruptures.
• Ligament sprains.
• Lameness.
• Neurological disorders - limb function.
• Degenerative joint diseases.
• Skin conditions - allergies.
• Congenital and inherited conditions.

Hydrotherapy will benefit:

• Pre and post operative dogs.

Pre-operative conditioning such as muscle building and toning prior to surgery can be most effective preventing further damaged to the affected joints.  We have found in most cases pre-operative hydrotherapy reduces the rehabilitation time after the surgery.

Post operative rehabilitation hydrotherapy for procedures such as cruciate repair, TPLO, TPO, hip replacement, OCD, luxating patella correction.   

• Overweight dogs.

Normal exercising of overweight dogs on hard surfaces can lead to damaged joints, lameness and discomfort.  Therefore, zero weight bearing exercise in the pool and a calorie controlled diet can prevent further damage and assist in weight loss.

Some overweight dogs may require surgery which the veterinary surgeon says cannot be carried out until weight loss is achieved.  Hydrotherapy will help the dog to loose weight and build muscle mass which wiil facilitate a quicker recovery post surgery.

Being overweight is not just a physical matter, as a consequence of carrying around excessive weight, it becomes a health problem.  Growing evidence shows that if your dog is overweight they are more likely to develop serious health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, respiratory problems, diabetes, poor liver function, osteoarthritis and joint problems.

Have a good look at your dog - is he/she overweight?  Can you see his/her waistline or ribs?  No - contact us we will help your dog to loose weight, feel good and live a productive and more comfortable life.

Join our Weight Watchers Club, where your dog can enjoy exercising and loose weight.  We regularly weigh and measure your dog so you can see how well your dog is progressing in their weight loss programme.

• Senior dogs.

Senior dogs tend to become less active, arthritic and cannot comfortably exercise.   Hydrotherapy will increase range of movement of limbs, build muscle mass and tone enabling exercise to be more comfortable.  Senior dogs improve their general health and fitness and enjoy a prolonged life. 

• Disabled dogs or dogs with poor mobility

Dogs that cannot usually weight bear or walk normally unaided find being buoyant and having zero impact on their joints enables them to use their limbs freely in the water.  Even though their limbs do not function properly they do use their affected limbs in the water.  With regular hydrotherapy sessions their strength and limb function can improve to a stage where they can weight bear or walk unassisted.

• Performance dogs

Working, racing, show or those dogs requiring stamina will benefit from from hydrotherapy sessions.  Programmes are tailored to keep them in top physical condition, increasing the cardiovascular system, strengthening and maintaining muscles, which will guard against other possible injuries.

• Convalescing dogs 

Convalescing dogs (e.g. after spaying or caesarean section) can carefully exercise back to full fitness. The water buoyancy removes potential stresses and loads on the joints and allows the dog to build up it’s strength with minimal risk of further injury.