canine
The Power of Water
Charlotte Pimm, who works in collaboration with PPG corporate partner Animal Jobs Direct,
details the benefits of hydrotherapy for pets suffering from a medical condition or recovering
from surgery, as well as how to become an animal hydrotherapist
A
Photo © Woozelbears
Dogs are gradually acclimatized to the treadmill without water; when water is added staff ensure the level remains low enough for the patient to be comfortable
nimal hydrotherapy is a treatment that uses the properties of water to rehabilitate and improve an animal’s function in a heated, sanitized pool. Dogs that are suffering from a medical condition or have had surgery benefit greatly from hydrotherapy. The hydrotherapy pool allows an animal to exercise in a nonweightbearing environment which relieves pressure on joints, reducing pain and encouraging movement. In the aquatic treadmill, the water height can be adjusted to precisely control the amount of weight bearing as the animal strengthens or recovers whilst re-educating the gait. It is difficult to move quickly within water and it has a cushioning or protective quality reducing the risk of injury. This same quality means that the dog has to work hard to move forward and in turn this helps to increase muscle mass and strength. Within water, animals are also subject to hy-
While treating a variety of breeds and temperaments, it is extremely important to introduce every patient to the water correctly. If dogs are fearful of swimming out of their depth, then they are usually going to find the clinical environment of the hydrotherapy pool stressful to start with. 36
BARKS from the Guild/July 2018
Photo © Woozelbears
The nonweight-bearing environment enables the dog to move freely, increasing circulation and reducing pain and stiffness, as well as leading to muscle relaxation
drostatic pressure and this can help to reduce swelling and pain, especially in the lower limbs. In conjunction with veterinary treatment, hydrotherapy can improve the quality and rate of healing following surgery and traumatic injury while also helping with the treatment of medical conditions by reducing pain and swelling, and creating an anti-inflammatory effect due to hydrostatic pressure, which leads to an increased range of movement in water. A nonweight-bearing environment can also help reduce pain and swelling following surgery or injury. It enables the dog to move freely in the water increasing the circulation and reducing stiffness. As the warm water increases the circulation of the blood to the muscles, it increases the supply of oxygen and nutrients and flushes away waste products. This leads to muscle relaxation and a reduction in pain and stiffness. Improved circulation reduces swelling around the injured area and enhances healing.
Starting Out
While treating a variety of breeds and temperaments, it is extremely important to introduce every patient to the water correctly. If dogs are fearful of swimming out of their depth, then they are usually going to find the clinical environment of the hydrotherapy pool stressful to start with. As the patient does not go out of their depth in the hydrotherapy