What Is it?
The application of hydrotherapy is to help the dog to regain its loss in using movement due to either an injury or other causes. This positive experience is to correct the emotional brain and memory muscles to rebuild their confidence and to likely regain that functional movement lost.
Hydrotherapy provides sensory information to muscles and the central nervous system when the body is submerged in warm water. The muscle anatomy helps facilitate the movement of the limbs, joints, head and neck to stabilise the body, making it easier to move under weightless pressure.
Some of these conditions which may benefit from Hydrotherapy:
Patella Luxation
Osteoarthritis
Chronic Degenerative Radiculomyelopathy (CDRM)
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Cruciate ligament (total or partial rupture)
Spondylosis
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
Cervical Malformation Syndrome (Wobblers Disease)
Spondylitis
Degenerative myopathy (DM)
Fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE)
Tendonitis
Ligament, tendon and muscle injuries
Obesity
Post-surgical rehabilitation:
Joint fusion
Spinal operations
Bone fracture repair
Cruciate repair
Hip replacement
The overall benefits of hydrotherapy improve these functions:
Muscle strength
Stamina
Cardiovascular health
Blood circulation
Improves range of motion
Brings balance to the body, especially for geriatric dogs
Help build confidence in puppies