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Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is the use of water to provide a therapeutic treatment. This is usually in the form of a pool or underwater treadmill. How does this help?

Buoyancy

Buoyancy is what helps animals to float, therefore taking some of the weight off their joints. This is really beneficial for over weight patients that are already carrying extra weight.

Resistance

Resistance is the increased force that is required when in the water. This is what helps build muscle and increase cardiovascular fitness.

Temperature

Buoyancy is what helps animals to float, therefore taking some of the weight off their joints. This is really beneficial for over weight patients that are already carrying extra weight.

Hydrostatic Pressure

When submerged in water, the water places a small amount of pressure on this area. 

Treadmill VS Pool

Many factors can influence the decision on whether the hydrotherapist chooses the pool or treadmill. Below are some of the factors that the hydrotherapist has to consider with hydrotherapy.

Underwater Treadmill

Positives

  • Water height can be used to target specific joints

  • Greater control of speed

  • Can be used post-surgery

  • Easier to keep limbs within their normal plane of movement

  • More realistic to walking on land compared to swimming

  • Easier for the therapist to gait (movement) patterning

  • Can use inclines to aid hindlimb engagement 

  • Generally dogs are more comfortable with the treadmill compared to the pool

  • Easier to rest/perform a more gentle session compared to the pool

  • Good for bone strengthening post injury or surgery

Negatives

  • On very rare occasions dogs can panic when the belt is turned on

  • Amputees struggle to keep up with the speed of the belt due to their altered movement patterns

  • Some dogs struggle to settle if they do not tolerate enclosed spaces

  • Does not target limb retractor muscles as well as the protractor muscles due to the belt taking the leg back

Pool

Positives

  • Good for improving cardiac fitness

  • Better at increasing core strength compared to the treadmill

  • Amputees tolerate it better

  • Dogs potentially can get more enjoyment out of it

 

Negatives

  • Its not uncommon for dogs to be uncomfortable with losing contact with the floor

  • The movement is different to on land and is not always the best at

  • Often dogs tuck up their back legs and do not use them

  • Their legs can twist and put excess strain through the joints

  •  It is often not appropriate after surgery even if the surgery was not recent

  • Have to be extremely cautious with heart conditions and dogs that seizers hence often not appropriate for them to swim

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