Make sure to splash! Dogs aren’t taking a bath, they are exercising in various pools to keep fit and active. Hydrotherapy has helped dogs of all ages to improve their strength, flexibility, coordination, balance, healing speed, and overall health, regardless of whether they are swimming or not.
Hydrotherapy or water exercise has been a very popular option in veterinary clinics and canine rehabilitation centres due to its effectiveness. Although hydrotherapy equipment was initially developed for racing Greyhounds and horses, it is now available for cats and dogs in the United States and Canada. Hydrotherapy, which is usually performed in a swimming-pool or plexiglass chamber housing an underwater treadmill, stimulates the cardiovascular system and lymph systems. It also strengthens muscles and allows pain joints to move freely.
Hydrotherapy works by making exercise weightless. Hydrotherapy works because water makes exercise weightless. You can swim or walk in the water and your joints and muscles will be strengthened without the jarring effects gravity and hard surfaces. Water exercise has helped many people with arthritis, hip and elbow dysplasias, joint pain, cruciate Ligament ruptures, bone fractures, and other conditions. Water exercise has also been beneficial for patients suffering from neurological disorders, such as degenerative myelopathy, or problems related to spinal strokes. A spinal stroke, also known as fibrocartilaginous or FCE, is when a blood clot or obstruction blocks the spinal cord’s blood supply. This causes mobility to be affected.
Gracie, a nineyear-old Dalmatian who lives in Great Falls with Jeanne Stehno, underwent a hemilaminectomy in October 2010 to remove herniated disk material. Manipulation can lead to neurological symptoms. Gracie couldn’t walk because her hind legs dragged after surgery. Stehno was hopeful for a faster recovery.
Stehno works at the animal hospital as a receptionist. A veterinarian recommended Jennifer Hill, a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner in Helena Montana, which is 90 miles away. Gracie and Stehno began making the trip each 7-10 days to hydrotherapy starting in January 2011.
Stehno said that although Gracie was not a big fan of swimming, once she started getting in the water, her legs started to move. Gracie learned to walk again in June and her legs were strong by the time she went for her last swim. She is now able to climb stairs and walk on her own. While she has moments of unsteadiness on her feet, it’s fun to take her for walks with you and see her improve.
Dogs will love the underwater treadmills
Carol Helfer DVM, a Portland veterinarian, offers hydrotherapy at Canine Peak Performance Sports Medicine & Physical Rehabilitation Center nearly a decade.
“Because we have limited space,” she says, “we utilize an underwater treadmill.” Dogs tend to use their front limbs more than their rear ones while swimming. Because I see more problems with the rear limbs of my patients, an underwater treadmill makes walking easier for them.
A treadmill session begins when the dog takes a small step up to enter a clear plexiglass box. The speed is adjusted to fit the dog’s needs and size. The chamber heats up to 80 to88 degrees Fahrenheit. It is about 27 to 31 degrees Celsius. Soon, the dog can be walking in the water. The water level can be adjusted to the dogs needs, including shoulder-high to provide extra buoyancy for joint pain or arthritis, and knee-high to allow for more vigorous exercise.
You may find underwater treadmills with adjustable hydrotherapy waterjets, a treadmill that is reversible, and adjustable ramp angles. These can be used to alter your weight or target specific muscles.
Dr. Helfer states that dogs usually start with one to three exercises sets. These can last anywhere from two to three minutes to three depending on how comfortable they are with the activity. “In most cases my goal for them is to do 20 minutes of continuous walking. The dog’s age and physical condition will affect the time taken to get there. I typically start patients at 0.3 miles an hour (MPH), but rarely go above 1 MPH. Sometimes, I will work with dogs specifically for athletic conditioning. In these cases, I may use speeds up to 3 to 5 MPH.
Dr. Helfer has worked with tiny Yorkshire Terriers, super tall Irish Wolfhounds and other dogs on her treadmill.
Dogs are allowed to use therapeutic pools
Hydrotherapy pools can range from small or large swimming pools to infinite-lap pools where water resists. Life vests are worn by patients, not just dogs who swim for exercise or general conditioning. Some hydrotherapy pools have overhead wires attached that support and direct swimming dogs.
Jennifer Hill, a physical therapist, recommended the installation of a pool at Apex Animal hospital in Helena (Montana), last year. “I am a licensed therapist who has worked with patients of all ages before I began working with dogs,” she said. “I did my physical therapy internship in Hawaii and took aquatic therapy classes. I love to be in the water with patients. The endless pool gives me the opportunity for flexibility. It’s great for recreational swimmers and targeted therapy. The steps at the shallow end and the underwater bench at its edges provide a safe surface for standing and walking. This is especially useful for Corgis and Dachshunds as they are most susceptible to back injuries. Additionally, the pool’s adjustable jets create a strong to mild current for swimming.
Hill does much more than simply help dogs to swim in different directions. “If the hind leg muscles are weak, which is often, Hill says, I will offer my hand as a target. Dogs instinctively kick against anything their feet touch. The hips are also benefited by active kicking. If my front legs need some work, I position both of my hands at my front feet. Pressing down on the paw pads will cause the feet to push back against my hand. I tilt my dogs slightly to the left or right. This shifts their center gravity and creates an automatic adjustment.
Hill lures swimming dogs using a tennis ball, treat, toy or treat. They turn left, turn right and swim in figure eights. Hill says that this is crucial for spinal motion. “Another thing that I do for dogs suffering from neurological damage or spinal strokes is to pinch their toes in the manner of swimming or walking. The rhythmic pinching of the toes in both alternating and simultaneous rhythmic patterns helps with ataxia. This is a disorder that results from a gross lack or coordination.
Hill’s patients have completed advanced obedience and agility training. She says, “It’s great to work with dogs who respond to voice instructions.” “You can tell the dog to do her figure-8s by saying ‘left or ‘right.
You can also use a small floating platform in pools, such as a miniature surfboard or boogie board. Hill states that small dogs love this option because they can get a core workout by just maintaining their balance. The board can be slid forward, back, left, or right. For an additional workout, we add white-water jets.
Dogs who have had surgery, illness or injuries require Hill’s constant attention. But as they get stronger and more experience, a veterinary technician can help them. Hill says that swim days are when we wear our wet suits. “We go in the water with our dogs and encourage owners to be near the pool to watch their dogs progress.”
The water temperature in hydrotherapy pool is similar to that of underwater treadmills. It can reach 80-88 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some facilities that offer salt water. These facilities can be claimed to have additional therapeutic benefits. Thalassotherapy, also known as therapeutic baths in warm salt water, refers to baths that are heated in seawater. It is believed to draw magnesium and potassium into the blood stream and eliminate toxins.
Canine Hydrotherapy Patients
Dogs can take up hydrotherapy for many reasons. Many facilities offer different types of hydrotherapy depending on their medical history.
Apex Animal Hospital has defined four levels of treatment. Level 1 patients require two experienced handlers because they are the most infirm. Hill says, “We use two people to safety,” and that includes our own safety and the safety of the dog. Once a surgeon gives the go-ahead, we can move to water.
“One of my most favorite Level 1 patients was a Bernese Mountain Dog. He just arrived at our hospital to have both his knees operated on. Then he ruptured a muscle in his shoulder. While the knee surgery went according to plan, the shoulder repair was completed later. One of the stifle procedures was complicated so we could only treat the shoulder. This was a two-person task! Other times, the patient might have so many problems or be obese that it took two people to get the dog into the pool. One Labrador Retriever was 187 lbs and had never been in the water before coming for his first swim. He now weighs in at 164 pounds. While he has much to learn, he is able to swim alone.
Before they can swim, most patients with knee or shoulder injuries or surgery, or hip surgery, receive four weeks’ dry land rehabilitation from Hill.
Apex allows dogs to stay at Level 1 and Level 2 for five weeks, with only the rehabilitation therapist in pool. After that time they are re-evaluated. Level 3 dogs still need to be supervised, while Level 4 dogs can swim for recreation, play or general conditioning with a veterinarian technician.
At all levels, the goal is to increase muscle strength, stamina, stimulate lymph flow, improve range of motion and bring all aspects of the body into balance through movement in all directions.
Dr. Helfer explains that there are three types of hydrotherapy patients. “These include dogs who are recovering from surgery, neurological problems or geriatrics, as well soft-tissue injured patients. The most remarkable results I see in the geriatrics is the one that I have seen. It is amazing to see how much these patients benefit from the right type of exercise. Senior dogs with difficulty getting in and out of the car or the couch can get back into these activities. They also have a greater ability to walk, which increases their endurance. While I won’t make Fluffy a puppy at 13 years old, her owners often comment that Fluffy has been doing things she’s not done for many years.
Noah, a Newfoundlander who started hydrotherapy sessions as a child, was Dr. Helfer’s favorite patient. She said, “That’s an old age for a Newfie.” “He was in great shape for an older man but had some difficulty getting around. He began to feel better after two sessions per week and he died at 15 1/2. Regular hydrotherapy made his final years much more enjoyable, and I am convinced of that.
“Noah is a typical geriatric. We began with several sets that lasted a few seconds each, and slowly increased the time to 20 minutes. He did not do any other exercise than short walks around the neighborhood.
Dr. Helfer typically sees patients with knee problems, such as cruciate ligament tear or luxating patellas. “Dogs who have undergone spinal surgery are also greatly benefited,” she said.
Dr. Helfer states that soft-tissue injuries are more responsive to treadmill hydrotherapy. Slips, falls, or strains can often cause injuries to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. She says, “Sometimes in later stages of recovery, I will use treadmill Hydrotherapy for a controlled return to activities.” “I plan a set of activities that I will do over six to eight week. When it comes to soft-tissue injuries, the biggest mistake I see is for people to rush. You can’t trust dogs to tell you that one activity is difficult or painful. They are eager to get active again. One wrong activity or too many can cause a dog to lose their progress for weeks.