5 Reasons Your Pup May Need Hydrotherapy
Are you worried that your pup isn’t as active and playful as before? Is he or she in pain and having difficulty getting around? Hydrotherapy may be just the solution to help your pup regain its mobility and ease joint pain.
What is Hydrotherapy For Dogs?
Hydrotherapy for dogs is a form of physical therapy that uses water to help treat various medical conditions. This type of therapy can be used to help improve mobility, reduce pain, and increase strength in dogs with certain medical issues. Hydrotherapy can also be used as part of a rehabilitation program for dogs recovering from surgery or injury. The buoyancy of the water helps support the dog’s body weight, allowing them to move more freely and with less pain.
Reasons Your Pup May Need Hydrotherapy
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Post-surgical rehabilitation is an important part of the recovery process for dogs that have undergone surgery. Hydrotherapy is a great way to help rehabilitate these dogs, as it provides pain relief and helps to re-educate their gait and build muscle more effectively than land-based physio alone. Examples of surgeries that may require post-surgical rehabilitation include hip replacements, cruciate ligament repair, and spinal surgery.
Fitness Conditioning & Weight Loss
Hydrotherapy is an excellent way to improve a dog’s fitness, stamina, and general condition. The warmth of the water opens up the blood vessels, allowing the blood to flow more effectively to the muscles. This lasts for around 72 hours after the session, meaning that any exercise that the dog is doing in the three days after a hydrotherapy session is also more effective. A dog that attends hydrotherapy at least once a week is likely to be stronger than one that doesn’t, all other factors being equal in terms of their level of exercise, etc.
Hydrotherapy can also be used as an effective weight-loss tool for dogs. The increased exercise tolerance provided by hydrotherapy allows dogs to burn calories without putting strain on their joints or other parts of their body. This makes it easier for them to lose weight while still getting regular exercise. Hydrotherapy can also help reduce inflammation and joint pain associated with obesity, making it easier for overweight dogs to stay active and healthy.
Injury Rehabilitation or Conservative Management
When a dog has an injury, surgery is not always the only option. Conservative management can be used to help the dog recover without having to go under the knife. This type of rehabilitation involves physiotherapy and hydrotherapy, which can be beneficial for a variety of conditions such as hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, and cruciate injuries.
Age
Hydrotherapy can be incredibly beneficial for older dogs who are suffering from arthritis or other joint issues. It provides them with a low-impact way to exercise their bodies and keep them mobile, while also providing some relief from the pain they may be feeling. As we all know, if we stop exercising and moving our bodies it can be very hard to get going again so it’s important to keep our older dogs doing little and often – especially if they’re struggling with mobility issues due to age or illness.
Orthopedic Problems
Hydrotherapy is a popular treatment option for dogs with orthopedic problems. It involves the use of water to help reduce pain and inflammation, improve mobility, and promote healing. Hydrotherapy can be used to treat a variety of orthopedic issues such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, cruciate ligament tears, and other joint or muscle injuries. The buoyancy of the water helps to reduce stress on the joints while providing resistance that can help strengthen muscles and increase range of motion.
Interested in Aquatic Therapy for your Dog?
As the benefits of aquatic therapy for dogs continue to increase, we are pleased to be the only facility in the Tri-State to offer a full range of aqua therapy services to benefit our canine friends. Learn more about our canine aquatic therapy services and contact us today to get started!
