Hydrotherapy
Harnessing Water’s Unique Properties to Heal and Restore
Restore your dog’s strength and mobility
Buoyancy helps with rehabilitation of weak muscles and painful joints by reducing the loading pressure on joints in water. By adjusting the water level, the desired degree of weightlessness can be obtained. This means that a dog can bear weight depending on the need.
Hydrostatic Pressure helps to reduce swelling, it is particularly useful for tall dogs with lower limb injuries or arthritis, as they are lower in the water. It also helps with pain perception; it slows down the hypersensitivities of the nociceptors.
Viscosity (Resistance) the resistance can help to build muscle faster than exercise performed on land and improve cardiovascular fitness. It also helps increase sensory perception and assists in supporting unstable joints and reduces the risk of injury by the resistance and cushioning created by viscosity.
How Hydrotherapy Works:
Decreased pain and inflammation
Hydrostatic pressure can help to reduce inflammation, pain and edema and can help increase proprioception by providing pressure surrounding the body and limb of the dog submersed deeper in the water.
Relaxation of muscle tension or muscle spasm and increased muscle strength
Zero-weight-bearing water relieves joint and muscle stress, allowing dogs with arthritis or injuries to move comfortably and recover through gentle exercise. Warm water also boosts circulation, enhances healing, and reduces inflammation.
Increase active range of motion
Buoyancy enables dogs to move their limbs and joints more freely without the limitations imposed by gravity, as the water supports a portion of the body’s weight; hydrostatic pressure helps increase blood circulation which can improve tissue flexibility and joint mobility.
Decreased heart rate at rest by improved cardiovascular fitness
Soothing temperatures help relax muscles and improve blood flow, while the supportive environment of water allows dogs to exercise longer, building endurance. The gentle support and natural drag of water strengthen the heart, enhance cardiovascular health, and boost overall fitness.
Decreased progression of clinical symptoms in degenerative diseases
Gentle, low-impact exercise in water helps maintain joint mobility and muscle strength without adding stress or causing further injury. The supportive environment of water improves circulation and tissue repair, while natural resistance helps preserve muscle tone and supports joint health, slowing degenerative conditions.
Improved quality of life
The supportive nature of water allows for easy, low-impact movements that enhance mobility and flexibility. Water’s gentle pressure reduces pain and inflammation, while its natural resistance strengthens muscles and protects joints, promoting healing and overall physical function.
One minute of swimming for a dog is typically regarded as comparable to approximately four minutes of running on land for a human. This equivalence arises from the resistance presented by water, which renders swimming a more vigorous exercise for dogs, activating more muscle groups and offering a heightened cardiovascular challenge. A duration of 25 minutes is considered optimal for a dog to engage in hydrotherapy within a hydropool.
Hydrotherapy’s short-term effects in dogs include improved range of motion, reduced muscle stiffness, less joint pain, and better circulation. Dogs may move more fluidly, limp less, experience relaxation, and show calmer behavior after several sessions in warm water.
A contraindication for canine hydrotherapy is any condition that makes the treatment unsafe or inappropriate, often due to medical, physical, or behavioral concerns that may cause complications. Hydrotherapy should be avoided in dogs with ear infections, severe asthma, open wounds, uncontrolled seizures, or aggressive behavior.
Gathering detailed client information before canine hydrotherapy is essential. Knowing the dog’s medical history, mobility, temperament, and anxiety ensures safe, customized care. Discussing dog parents’ goals and identifying health risks allows hydrotherapists to tailor treatment, minimize risks, and prepare for emergencies.
Long-term canine hydrotherapy improves dogs’ mobility, joint flexibility, and pain relief, especially for arthritis and hip dysplasia. It aids injury recovery, strengthens muscles, supports weight loss, enhances cardiovascular fitness, and helps maintain joint health, resulting in a better quality of life.
The optimal temperature for a hydropool is between 29-30 degrees Celsius. A temperature of 28 degrees is permissible during extremely hot weather; however, temperatures below 28 degrees are considered TOO COLD for elderly or weak dogs, as well as for hydrotherapists.