How Canine Hydrotherapy Can Help Your Pup Get Healthy
Canine hydrotherapy is a form of non-weight bearing exercise, with the use of an underwater treadmill. The water properties help to reduce pressure from the joints and encourage a greater range of motion, which is important in facilitating rehabilitation. The buoyancy of the water reduces the weight going through the limbs and makes movement easier. Resistance is greater in the water compared to walking on land. It creates a cushioning effect on submerged limbs which makes movement harder, this helps to increase and rebuild muscle mass, which may have been lost due to injury or illness. The underwater treadmill is set to 28 degrees Celsius. The warmth of the water helps to reduce swelling and inflammation, increases blood flow and increases muscle relaxation. Hydrotherapy using an underwater treadmill is different to just swimming in a pool or at the beach. The treadmill is a controlled environment where the water level and speed can be modified to meet every patients’ individual needs. While swimming can be beneficial for some forms of rehabilitation it is not recommended for a lot of orthopaedic recovery. While swimming dogs can either hold their legs up and not use them at all, this defeats the purpose of rehab or they will kick quick vigorously, jolting the joints. This may cause further damage. Hydrotherapy can be used for weight loss, muscle strengthening, recovery from an illness or injury, conservative management. It can also be used for endurance and agility training.
If hydrotherapy is something that you think would benefit your dog, contact Katie to book a session!
Katie Hunt – Hydrotherapist
www.caninehydrotherapy.net.au
0433653383
k9hydrotherapist@gmail.com