Hydrotherapy For Dogs

by Alison Gjefle

Hydrotherapy has been used to aid humans for many years. Its benefits are widely acknowledged and its use is commonplace for treatment of numerous ailments. Veterinary medicine adopted hydrotherapy for use with horses, but until a few years ago it was not often used for dogs.

That’s all changing with the development of specialized hydrotherapy centers for dogs and better understanding among veterinary practitioners of the benefits of hydrotherapy.

Hydrotherapy for dogs, also known as swim therapy, uses the buoyancy of water to support your dog’s weight so that he can exercise without impact to his joints. Many veterinarians are now recommending swim therapy as a way to help dogs with hip dysplasia, arthritis, knee injuries, elbow dysplasia, or range of motion problems. Other conditions that may improve through the use of swim therapy are growth problems, muscle degeneration, paralysis and stroke.

But hydrotherapy is not just for treating injuries and orthopedic conditions. It can also be used prior to surgical procedures in order to strengthen and improve muscle tone, or after surgery to regain muscle tone and aid overall recovery.

In the UK hydrotherapy has taken a giant leap forward with the formation of the Canine Hydrotherapy Association (CHA). This non-profit organization is working to provide self-regulation of hydrotherapy providers and set standards for training, operation and treatment regimens for its members. As more and more organizations such as this begin to form in other parts of the world, hydrotherapy will increasingly gain credibility and acceptance as a legitimate treatment for dogs.

If you have a dog that you think would benefit from dog hydrotherapy it’s important to first talk with your veterinarian. Get an assessment of your dog’s overall health and capabilities so that you can make sure the swim therapy is tailored to his needs.

It’s also important to check out the swim therapy facility before taking your dog there for treatment. Not all facilities can accommodate all sizes of dogs so check to see if the set up is suitable for your pet. Check the cleanliness of the water, the qualifications of the staff, and ask for references.

Once you’ve found a suitable facility, be prepared for your dog to start slowly and show small improvements over the course of several sessions. The facility should keep detailed records of your dog’s progress and make that information available to your veterinarian.

Dog hydrotherapy has been around for a long time and its physiological benefits are well known. If you think your dog is a good candidate for swim therapy then consult your veterinarian and check out what facilities are available in your area. You may just find it’s the path to healing you’ve been seeking for your pet.