Friends of the Dog
  • Home
  • Classified Adverts
  • Puppy Schools
  • FODS Adoption Assistance
  • Dog Schools
  • Puppy Page
  • DogStuff
  • Daily Dog News
  • Dog Behaviour Sprays
  • Dog Breeds
  • Breed Compatibility
  • Dog Related Courses
  • Alternative Health
  • Health Page
  • Med Insurance Q & A
  • Sanctuaries
  • Breed Rescue organizations
  • SPCA
  • Educational Downloads
  • Free E books
  • Wall of Remembrance
  • About us
  • Contact Friends of the Dog
  • Disclaimer and Privacy Policy
Picture
What is Animal Hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy is the use of water to promote the healing process. It is a non-stressful form of exercise and can be as basic as soaking in a warm bath, submerge the body or part of the body in a spa bath, swimming in a pool, using an underwater treadmill or other water activities that provides a range of motion and exercise to limbs, bones, joints, muscles or nerves.

The primary advantage to Hydrotherapy is that it is a weightless environment that promotes the use of the limbs, and provides a range of motion and movement generally not attainable with normal exercise or rehabilitation programs.

During the exercise the animal can move a limb with minimal stress or strain, thus allowing the muscle to move and strengthen and allow the tendons and ligaments to tighten up. Dogs that refuse to put weight on, or even use a leg following surgery will typically use the leg without any discomfort in the swimming stroke.

In order to appreciate the benefits of Hydrotherapy, one must understand the basic principles and properties of water including buoyancy, viscosity, resistance, hydrostatic pressure, surface tension and the impact of the water temperature. 

  
Pre-Operative Conditions and Post-Operative Rehabilitation 

Hydrotherapy is indicated in the following conditions:                                   
                                                                   
  • Arthritis 
  • Bone (Breakage)   
  • Cartilage Problems  
  • Degenerative Myelopathy (CDRM)   
  • DJD (Osteoarthritis)  
  • Episodic Weakness Syndrome 
  • Hip Dysplasia or Replacement  
  • Legg Calve Perthes Disease 
  • Ligament Repair (ACL/TPLO)   
  • Muscular Disorders
  • Obesity and Weight Loss
  • Osteochondrosis (OCD)  
  • Skeletal Disorders 
  • Soft Tissue Injuries   

  • Arthroscopic Surgery   
  • Cardiovascular Conditioning   
  • Cruciate Ligament Repair 
  • Depression    
  • Elbow Dysplasia 
  • Femoral Head Osteoectomy  
  • Hyperactivity 
  • Ligament Damage and Rapture 
  • Muscle Atrophy  
  • Nervous System Disorders 
  • Orthopaedic Injuries 
  • Paralysis 
  • Spinal Injuries and Disease 
  • Spondylosis 
Benefits of Hydrotherapy 

The benefits of Hydrotherapy are countless, but to highlight just a few: 

  • Cardiovascular Fitness 
  • Faster Recovery from Surgery  
  • Improved Circulation 
  • Improved Physical Fitness  
  • Improvement of Circulation    
  • Minimizing Pain  
  • Non Weight Bearing Exercise  
  • Reduced Inflammation   
  • Reduction in Muscle Tension  
  • Relaxation 
  • Strengthening of Muscles    

  • Balance Enhancement   
  • Fitness, Stamina & Muscle Tone 
  • Increased Mobility of Joints 
  • Increased Range of Motion   
  • Movement Pattern Improvement    
  • Minimizing Muscle Spasm 
  • Psychological Well-being  
  • Reduced Anxiety and Stress 
  • Reduction in Swelling, Stiffness 
  • Re-educate Walking Patterns
  • Weight Loss       
Picture

Picture
Picture
When I first heard the question: Are ice cubes dangerous?, my first response was: "only if someone throws an ice cube at a dog’s eye," but this question seemed to linger, gaining momentum due to a post online.
Picture
Some people love the smell of Fritos Feet and others absolutely hate it! What causes this odour and what can you do about it?
Picture
Through the studies by Neitz, Geist and Jacobs (2) it has been suggested that an average dog sees similar to a human deuteranope, a person that is red-green colour blind. 
.