Hydrotherapy & Rehabilitation

It’s really important that the patient feels calm and relaxed for therapy, so the hydrotherapist will usually allow them to roam freely around the area for a few minutes. This allows her to assess both gait and mobility, and discuss some relevant questions with the owners, such as the times of day when problems are most evident, or whether they have appeared to become nervous going up or down stairs.

We  keep an orthopaedic mattress in the area so the dog can lie comfortably if they need a rest during this time, and sometimes we can also perform some physiotherapy or a laser treatment here. Diet will also be discussed, and then all this information allows us to tailor the hydrotherapy plan precisely to suit your dog’s need. 

After the questions and assessment, it’s time to see how your dog will take to being in the tank. We usually go into the treadmill with them for their initial treatment, to help them feel more supported and less worried, and we encourage you to  stand where they can see you, to cheer them on and offer them more support. We use lots of toys and treats to help motivate them as well. The water is heated which helps increase blood flow, and we have doggy life jackets for when a dog requires additional support. After the session we help dry your dog & usually suggest you avoid going for a walk immediately after the session as a warm environment helps the muscles recover.
 
Your dog will be weighed at each visit and we also take muscle measurements. In most cases dogs come back every 7-10days, although some clients feel every 2 weeks is better for their pet, and we will make a suitable plan together.  

In many cases an initial course of 10 sessions (one each week) for 10 weeks followed by 1 session every month to maintain movement/flexibility is appropriate.