Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy takes advantage of the physical properties of water to facilitate exercise, pain relief, and healing. There are many ways water can be used to relieve pain, build strength and promote healing, especially when a patient is unable to, or will find it too challenging, to exercise on dry land. 

The main goals of hydrotherapy in dogs are to improve strength, coordination, and mobility, to decrease pain, and to improve the overall quality and duration of life. 

Hydrotherapy has been widely recognized to help with multiple musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. This is because of the unique physical properties of water, but also because of how the body usually goes about healing.

 

For dogs dealing with orthopedic issues, neurological problems, muscle wasting, arthritis pain, or obesity – water therapy can be incredibly helpful. The warmth of the water relaxes muscles and improves circulation to promote healing. The buoyancy supports their weight, taking pressure off their joints so they can exercise with less pain and risk of further injury.

Hydrotherapy simply means using the beneficial properties of water to facilitate exercise, pain relief, and healing.

At the same time, the resistance of moving through water builds strength and endurance more effectively than regular exercise on land. The viscosity of water even helps stabilize movements for dogs with balance or neurological deficits.

We can customize the water depth, treadmill speed, and jet resistance to find the perfect setting for your dog’s needs. This allows us to slowly and safely increase the intensity over time as strength and mobility are built.

The benefits of an underwater treadmill include controllable weight-bearing, improved range of motion, endurance building, and better body awareness – all in a low-impact, supportive environment perfect for recovery.

The goal is to relieve discomfort and get them moving again in a way that protects their joints but still challenges their muscles. Hydrotherapy can be an excellent tool to improve strength, coordination and overall quality of life.

We all want what’s best for your furry friend. Let’s discuss if incorporating water therapy into your dog’s treatment plan could be a good solution for getting them back to their playful self.

Some benefits of Underwater Treadmill Therapy

  • Assisted Ambulation
    • Patients who have residual paresis associated with IVDD or surgery of the spine are excellent candidates for underwater treadmill therapy. 
  • Gait Training
    • The underwater treadmill allows us to regulate speed and water depth so that we can most effectively treat each patient based on their current level of function and strength.
  • Evaluation of Gait
    • Walking on a treadmill allows us to easily monitor your dog’s function and make changes to their rehabilitation plan as needed.
  • Improved coordination and balance
    • The action of the treadmill helps to improve balance and coordination. 
  • Cardiovascular Conditioning
    • The underwater treadmill is an ideal modality to improve or maintain fitness levels for active or sporting dogs.

What People are Saying…

Stride has been critical in my dog’s recovery. Glad I found them. – S. Bosworth

Hydrotherapy FAQs

  • Post op cruciate surgery – TPLO, TTA, soft tissue stabilization
  • Non-operative or medically managed cruciate ligament injury 
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Surgery of the spine and neurological disorders 
  • Soft tissue injury of the shoulder
  • Senior mobility and function
  • Chronic osteoarthritis
  • Back pain and intervertebral disc disease

Hydrotherapy can begin as soon as your dog’s incision is fully healed – generally 12-14 days post operative procedure. The sooner we start, the sooner you and your dog can get back to doing the things you love!

Because each dog is different, so is the recommended prescription for hydrotherapy. In general we see most of our patients one to two times weekly. 

  1. Urinary tract infection
  2. Uncontrolled seizures
  3. Incisions and open wounds
  4. Skin sensitivity
  5. Vomiting or diarrhea within the previous 24 hours
  6. Severe cardiopulmonary or cardiovascular disease
  7. Female dogs who are in heat
  8. Severe upper airway disease such as end stage laryngeal paralysis

Yes, our underwater treadmill is treated with chlorine.

We maintain the water temperature between 88º – 90º F 

We do not use our underwater treadmill as a pool unless a patient is unable support themselves in a standing posture. 

Depending on your dog’s condition and level of experience, sessions in the underwater treadmill may last anywhere from 30 seconds to 20 minutes. Patients are never actively using the underwater treadmill for more than 20 minutes.

After an evaluation with one of our therapists, we are happy to provide underwater treadmill sessions as a way to improve condition for all of life’s fun activities or sporting events.

Legally, we are only able to provide hydrotherapy after a physical rehabilitation evaluation is performed by one of our in-house therapists.