Dog Hydrotherapy – It’s amazing How it Works!
An important component in the rehabilitation for ones dog is aquatic therapy, which provides the buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, viscosity and resistance as well as the surface tension. How water effects the body is easy to understand through all the basic principles of water and its properties. The upward thrusting of water upon the body is the buoyancy which decreases the weight of the body when immersed in it. This decreases the amount of pain in the dog, by minimizing the amount of weight that is placed on the muscles and painful joints, all aiding in the rehabilitation.
The amount of body weight carried when immersed in water was based on the percentage of body weight that the dogs carried when on land in the following positions:
91% when water was at the level of the ateral malleolus of the tibia
when the water was at the level of the lateral condyle of the femur it was 85%
38% when water was at the level of the greater trochanter of the femur
For dogs with arthritis, this is most beneficial in treating them because the buoyancy factors of water unload the joints.
For sore and swollen joints and edematous tissues, hydrostatic pressure offers an enhanced environment to work in.This constant pressure to the body or limbs aids in reducing the swelling and alleviating the gathering of blood and bodily fluids.
Pain is greatly reduced during exercise from hydrostatic pressure. This pressure creates phasic stimuli to the sensory receptors of the skin, causing a decrease in the nociceptor hypersensitivity. This allows the dog to perform more movements with less pain, by reducing their perception of pain.
Viscosity or resistance to fluid flow is greater in water than in air. Water provides the resistance needed to strengthen the canine muscles and increase their cardiovascular fitness. The viscosity increases the sensory awareness and supports in stabilizing unstable joints. A dog with paraparesis may willingly walk in water but not on land due to the combination of buoyancy and viscosity which help support the dog.
Movement and exercise are performed with more ease with surface tension, just beneath the water surface than at or on the surface, if a dog is extremely weak.
While canine hydrotherapy is known for its benefits, the dog’s psychological well-being and reduction in pain is profound. Their muscle strength and endurance, cardio respiratory endurance and agility is vastly improved. All of this in addition to increasing their range of motion.
A dog’s heart rate and oxygen uptake is totally increased from water when hydrotherapy for dogs is implemented. The dog’s heart rate is increased further through the leg movements and the temperature of the water. Although exercise on land is beneficial, exercise in water out performed the land ones in both heart rate and oxygen uptake. To ensure proper weight management, nothing compares to the aerobic exercise in toning in the whole canine rehabilitation process.
Dog water therapy is by far the best in minimizing joint effusion and obtaining superior functional improvement. Dogs exercising on land will achieve greater maximum muscle performance. To allow the muscles to operate in a more functional fashion, walking in water is highly rated. To ensure there is no damage or inflammation to the soft tissues, performing these exercises in dog hydrotherapy pools or dog underwater treadmills where forces are decreased, is best.
One of the best modalities for reducing knee pain and joint effusion is dog pools and dog underwater treadmills. In particular, dogs recovering from a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) stabilization procedure, this facilitates the recovery of lower-extremity functioning. As a transition to land based exercises with post surgery or post injury rehabilitation, canine rehabilitation in aquatic exercises is one of the best.
The heated water provides many physiological benefits in aquatic therapy for dogs. There is increased joint flexibility along with decreased joint pain. Dogs get improved circulation to their muscles and become more functional on a daily basis. Dogs with thicker coats can tolerate cooler temperatures in water, however, the normal temperature range is between 26 degrees C and 28 degrees C.
Some of the available forms of hydrotherapy for dogs include whirlpools, underwater treadmills, and dog pools. Caution should be exercised if taking a dog to a lake or river for aquatic therapy, as currents can be hazardous, or bacteria with recent incisions. Dog life preservers are very beneficial and support the dog while allowing free breathing.
Hydrotherapy for dogs has helped with the following conditions:
Knee Surgeries
ACL or TPLO surgeries
Hip replacements
Hip Dysplasia
Joint inflammation
Spinal integrity and bone fractures
Deteriorating joints
Malfunctioning of the Nervous System
Cognitive Impairment
Loss of a limb
Hydrotherapy for dogs helps with many health conditions, and to add to the list is the dog’s balance, co-ordination, confidence and energy level. Hydrotherapy for dogs has such a huge amount of benefits. All recovery time post surgery is greatly reduced. The physical condition of a dog can be returned with lessened discomfort through aquatic therapy.
Water therapy is very calming for dogs. It helps reduce levels of stress and assists with stimulating metabolic functions. The dogs immune system is enhanced and the lymphatic system is drained much more effectively. Hydrotherapy for dogs helps rid their bodies of toxins and regulates the electrolytes in their system. Their digestion is improved as is their skin and coat.
All around the world canine hydrotherapy is becoming recognized and prescribed by veterinarians. Hydrotherapy is the therapeutic treatment of choice for canine patients of today. The potential benefits are insurmountable.
