What is Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy literally means water therapy and can refer to any therapeutic use of water to aid or improve health. Using resistance, hydrostatic pressure, viscosity and buoyancy, hydrotherapy helps dogs move and exercise without added gravity. By removing the pressure of gravity, hydrotherapy provides a form of weightless physical activity. Use of warm water can also dilate blood vessels and relax joints and muscles, easing aches and pains and aiding in healing of injuries. For dogs, hydrotherapy usually consists of either swimming assisted in a pool designed for dogs, or walking on an underwater treadmill.
Hydrotherapy is a great tool to use, but it is simply one treatment modality. Water-based exercises can help to rebuild muscle mass, promote cardiovascular output and improve stamina. However, it cannot target specific individual muscles for strengthening or reduce local inflammation or pain. The best rehabilitation plan should be individualized for each pet and incorporate a combination of modalities that best help to address all of the problems that need to be corrected which is why we work closely with your veterinarian to develop an exercise plan that works for your pets needs.
What Conditions can Hydrotherapy Help Treat?
- Post-operative recovery from orthopedic procedures
- Neurological conditions
- Osteoarthritis
- Hip dysplasia
- Metabolic conditions such as Cushing’s and diabetes which can result in muscle atrophy
- Helping overweight pets get the exercise they need to lose weight
What Happens During a Hydrotherapy Session?
During your hydrotherapy appointment, you will meet with Julie to tailor the session based on your dog’s needs. Dogs may have different needs and limitations based on their size, age, specific health conditions and veterinary recommendations. Depending on your pets comfort level around open water, first time session may involve therapeutic massage and introduction to the pool space allowing your dog to feel more relaxed before any exercises begin. If optimal clients are welcome to attend their pets entire session in our pool area.
How to Prepare Your Dog for Hydrotherapy
We ask your dog refrains from eating two hours before and one hour after their hydrotherapy session. This will help prevent their dog from getting sick or experiencing cramps after therapy. If your dog is more toy motivated we encourage you to bring water appropriate toys they enjoy. We will provide limited treats for our more food motivated patients but please let us know if your pet has food allergies prior to your session. Your dog will be rinsed with fresh water after their session and towel dried however you may want to bring a towel for your vehicle.
Dogs participating in hydrotherapy services are required to meet our facilities vaccine requirements and have an account with MVPL. You can find all of our requirement information here.
How to Schedule a Hydrotherapy Session for Your Dog
In New Mexico, hydrotherapy and other animal physical therapy services performed on dogs are generally considered part of veterinary medicine. We encourage you to speak to your veterinarian if hydrotherapy would be right for your pet. Once you have determined the best treatment plan for you pet please have your rDVM submit our Hydrotherapy Referral Form. Once we have your information we will call to schedule your pets session, at this time sessions with Julie are available Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays by appointment only.