Veterinary Hydrotherapy
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Post Operative Orthopaedic Rehabilitation
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Supportive Movement For Elderly Patients
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Neurological Injury Recovery
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Weight Loss Programmes
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Gait and Posture Correction
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Psychological Wellbeing
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Pain Management
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Limb Amputees
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Wellness
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Training
Post-operative Rehabilitation
Just like humans recovering from a surgical procedure, dogs also benefit from post-operative rehabilitation. After the initial period of rest is completed, hydrotherapy can be one of the best forms of recovery.
Buoyancy helps to decrease pain and minimises the weight placed on joints and muscles. Hydrostatic pressure reduces oedema, general soreness and swelling of post-operative areas. It also creates phastic stimuli to the sensory skin receptors, causing a decrease in hypersensitivity. This reduction in pain perception allows patients to move with greater confidence.
Weight loss
Some research suggests that over a third of adult dogs in the UK are overweight. This can lead to higher rates of orthopaedic, respiratory, diabetes, arthritis and cardiac problems.
Weight loss is crucial in easing these potentially life-shortening issues. Often the symptoms of disease mean that dogs have problems walking on land. A program of hydrotherapy helps the dog to exercise in a low impacting but effective way, promoting safe and healthy weight loss. The overall aim of a hydro weight loss programme may be used to prepare the patient for future exercise on land.
Wellness
Canine hydrotherapy within an underwater treadmill or pool can improve health and conditioning. This low impact environment is supportive yet also resistive. The viscosity and surface tension of water increases session intensity. This is a consideration for treatment of elderly patients and patients with poor cardiovascular health.
Treadmill and pool hydrotherapy can also improve circulation to joints, in-turn improving strength and range of movement. Older dogs who have lost this range of movement particularly see the benefits of slow speed treatment in the treadmilland often respond with increased happiness in their overall mood.
Pain Management
Exercising in warm water is also very beneficial for pain management. The therapeutic effects of water are well documented. Dogs suffering from painful joint conditions such as arthritis can be helped to manage pain with a programme of pool or treadmill hydrotherapy. The relaxing water can help to loosen stiff muscles and reduce joint inflammation. The resistance of the water helps to strengthen and build muscle to support joints.
Gait and Posture Correction
Gait and posture can become a problem for many different reasons including; hip and elbow dysplasia, spinal conditions, hip replacement, fractures, tendonitsis, cruciate repair, osteochondritis, luxating patella and osteoarthritis, to name a few. The reduction of weight bearing stress on joints and ligaments whilst exercising in a hydrotherapy treadmill successfully helps in the re-education of gait and posture. Balance and proprioception problems caused by neurological injury can also be improved with a tailored aquatic therapy programme.