What is hydrotherapy and how could it benefit my pet?
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What is hydrotherapy and how could it benefit my pet?
My name is Meg and I am a Registered Veterinary Nurse and Canine Hydrotherapist, working in a referral practice in Cornwall.
I am very passionate about equipping pet owners with up to date, relevant information in order to best take care of their animals.
Did you know that hydrotherapy treatment is available for your dog? It can be used alongside medical treatment as part of a complementary plan with a plethora of benefits to improve your dog’s condition and quality of life. In this article, I will answer some of the most common questions I receive from pet owners regarding hydrotherapy.
What is hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is the therapeutic treatment that uses controlled exercise in heated and sanitised water. In order for hydrotherapy to be therapeutic, the water must be heated between 28 and 32 degrees Celsius – like a warm bath! Carried out in either an underwater treadmill or a pool, hydrotherapy is fast becoming a popular complementary therapy for many conditions.
How could hydrotherapy benefit my pet?
Hydrotherapy has multiple benefits, including:
Pain relief
Reduction in swelling and inflammation
Increase in range of motion of joints
Faster recovery from surgery
Improvement of gait patterns
Strengthening and conditioning
Weight loss
Increase in circulation
Cardiovascular fitness
Cognitive enrichment and stimulation
What conditions is hydrotherapy helpful for?
Hydrotherapy can be helpful in many conditions. These include:
Osteoarthritis
Obesity
Sporting injuries and fitness
Pre- and post-operative conditioning
Spinal conditions (following surgery or receiving conservative treatment)
Hip and elbow dysplasia
Intervertebral disc disease
Soft tissue injuries
How do I arrange a referral?
It is a legal requirement for your Veterinary Surgeon to refer your pet to a qualified Hydrotherapist. Your pet will therefore need an examination for an assessment to check their suitability. Once they have been signed off, the Vet will send your referral, along with a full medical history, to your local hydrotherapy centre, who will then be in contact to book your appointment.
Would my insurance cover any of my appointments?
Some insurance companies cover several sessions of a chosen complementary therapy. It is worth looking at your individual policy to check this.
What happens at the appointment?
At the appointment, the Hydrotherapist will assess your pet, including performing gait analysis and asking you questions about their history. They will palpate muscles and joints to feel for any areas of tension, discomfort or muscle wastage. Based on all of this information, the therapist will then devise a treatment plan specific to your pet based on their illness or injury, fitness levels and expected outcomes. Your pet will be showered to warm muscles and clean their coat prior to treatment and showered afterwards to cool down and remove any chlorine from their fur.
My dog is scared of water, does that mean I can’t go?
If your dog suffers with hydrophobia, it does not mean that they are not suitable for hydrotherapy. If you make the therapist aware of their anxieties relating to water, the first few appointments may involve no water at all – building up their confidence in the setting.
If your pet is unable to attend hydrotherapy, there may be other complementary therapies that are better suited to them. You can ask your Vet or Nurse about other complementary therapies.
Can hydrotherapy be used for cats?
As you can imagine, the majority of cats would simply not tolerate treatment in water. It is best to treat your cat individually and speak to your Veterinary Surgeon and Hydrotherapist about their suitability. Tense, stressed and anxious animals will not get the benefit of relaxed muscles. Other treatments such as physiotherapy, massage or laser therapy may be more appropriate for our feline friends.
Why can’t I just put my dog in the bath?
Hydrotherapy is only therapeutic and safe when carried out by a trained and skilled therapist. It is important that patients are treated in a safe environment, supported in the water and are prevented from further injury or drowning. Safety measures such as harnesses and risk assessments will be in place in a hydrotherapy setting. Any treatment performed in the bath or in the sea could cause further injury and could potentially be dangerous for your pet.
How long will an appointment take?
Usually, the first appointment is a longer assessment which may also be more expensive. This is because it is important that the therapist takes a full history and observes your pet closely to ensure their treatment plan is correct. Depending on where your pet is in their recovery or rehabilitation journey, alongside their cardiovascular abilities, your pet may only be in the pool or treadmill for 10 minutes. It is important to remember that exercise in water is much more challenging than on land and overexerting your pet can cause further injury. Slowly building up your pet’s stamina is much more sustainable and beneficial for them.
Do I need to take anything to the appointments with me?
It is advisable to take your dog’s favourite toy and treats with you, as well as a towel or robe to keep them warm after treatment. Using high value rewards, especially in the first few appointments, whilst they get used to the setting, can help your pet to make positive associations. Ideally, do not feed your pet for a few hours before treatment, and ensure they have been to the toilet before they enter the water too – it can be a messy affair otherwise (but rest assured, your pet won’t be the first if they do have an accident!)
If you are interested in hydrotherapy for your dog, speak to your Veterinary Surgeon today to get a referral to your local centre. Make sure you do your research into the qualifications of the therapist, and ideally that they are registered with a regulatory body such as the National Association of Registered Canine Hydrotherapists (NARCH) or the Canine Hydrotherapy Association (CHA).
If you’d like to know more about hydrotherapy, or have any questions, find me on Instagram @megthervn
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