For millennia, humans have known about the healing powers of water to heal injuries and pains in their joints. Hydrotherapy is only now being used by dogs. Hydrotherapy: Is it just another pet health trend or is it effective?
Hydrotherapy is a water therapy that can be translated to mean water therapy. It refers to any therapeutic use water to improve or aid health. Hydrotherapy can be used to exercise, such as swimming or water aerobics. It also includes more sedentary activities, like whirlpool baths and mineral baths. Water exercise has the advantage of offering both buoyancy as well as resistance. This makes it possible to strengthen muscles, condition and increase endurance without putting stress on the joints. Hot water can dilate blood vessels, relax muscles and joints, and help in the healing of injuries.
Humans have used water therapy in their health and exercise since the Roman Empire. Hydrotherapy for dogs was developed by the horse-racing industry. The healing and conditioning benefits of racehorses walking in water led to the adaptation of the practice for greyhounds racing in the industry. Soon, underwater treadmills were invented for dogs, and the practice was quickly extended to all dogs.
Hydrotherapy is for dogs and involves swimming, walking, or running in the water. Dr. Tari Kern DVM, a Pawsitive steps Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine certified canine rehabilitation practitioner, says that exercising in water can be enjoyable, similar to what many people do with their pets at the beach or in their pool. Hydrotherapy can be used in conjunction with a structured program to ease arthritis pain in pets, improve function after injuries or surgeries, and even optimize conditioning for animal athletes.
Hydrotherapy for dogs
Hydrotherapy for dogs can be used to treat many injuries and conditions. Dr. Kern stated that hydrotherapy exercise is low-impact and can be used by patients of all ages, even those with arthritis or muscle atrophy.
Canine underwater treadmill is also beneficial for treating:
Neurological problems
ACL injuries
Other conditions or injuries to the orthopedics
Recovery and post-surgical healing
Weight loss
Metabolic conditions such as diabetes and Cushing’s can lead to muscle atrophy.
Hydrotherapy is determined by the specific condition and the individual dog.
Swimming is a great cardiovascular exercise, strengthens the core muscles and helps to burn calories. It is difficult to alter swimming as an exercise. Dr. Kern explained that swimming is not a good choice for rehabilitation on a large scale.
The “Underwater treadmill allows for more precise and immediate control over an exercise program. You can quickly adjust the speed and depth of the water to offer different experiences for your pet. This allows hydrotherapy to be customized to each pet’s needs and limitations.
Dr. Kern warns that hydrotherapy is not a panacea despite its many benefits. Hydrotherapy is an excellent tool, but it’s only one treatment option. Water-based exercises are a great way to build muscle mass, increase cardiovascular output, and improve stamina. It cannot be used to strengthen or decrease pain or inflammation in specific muscles. A customized rehabilitation plan for your pet should include a mix of different modalities to help you address the problem.
Hydrotherapy to Prevent Injuries and Physical Conditioning
Recreational hydrotherapy can be a great option for sporting dogs and other active breeds. It helps increase stamina, endurance, and strengthen muscles. This can help not only improve athletic performance, but also protect against injury and muscle strain. Dr. Kern says that hydrotherapy can be incorporated into athletic conditioning programs to produce positive results quickly. Hydrotherapy can speed up results when compared with similar land-based exercises. For example, running 2 miles in an underwater treadmill at elbow height with water at your feet would be about the same amount of exercise as running 4 or 5 miles on land but with less impact on the joints.
