What are the benefits of hydrotherapy?
The benefits of hydrotherapy depend very much on how the hydrotherapy treatment is carried out. For some dogs simply floating or swimming gently in water can relieve pain and inflammation. For others more vigorous exercise is used to increase the use of limbs, increase muscle bulk and tone, and strengthen support for joints. Especially after surgery or injury this can allow earlier return to normal use.
Water can also be used as a means of supporting dogs in a non weight bearing or partially weight bearing environment to allow movements that would not be possible on land, perhaps because of weakness or injury. This is particularly useful for dogs that have spinal problems.
Hydrotherapy can also increase cardiovascular fitness and help with weight loss
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Why do I need a vet referral form?
Many vets will refer a dog for hydrotherapy as a matter of routine following certain surgeries or for particular conditions. You are free to contact a hydrotherapy centre yourself and the centre will then contact your vet for permission for hydrotherapy treatment. The vet will need to confirm that your animal is fit enough and well enough for hydrotherapy and provide any additional medical history that is relevant.
Registered Canine Hydrotherapists will never swim an animal without a vet's permission. This protects you, your dog and other animals visiting hydrotherapy centre, and ensures that the treatment plan is appropriate for your dog.
Download a form here.
How many sessions will my dog need?
This depends on the reason for hydrotherapy.
As a guide post cruciate surgery recovery would normally be 8 to 12 weeks.
A young dog with hip dysplasia may need to swim for 6 months to 1 year until skeletally mature and then may need to continue for maintenance. An elderly dog with chronic arthritis may need hydrotherapy twice a week for 8 weeks, to gain a good improvement, and may then benefit from weekly or bi-weekly hydrotherapy for the rest of its life.