It’s a splashy good time! This is not a dog that takes a bath. They are working out in large and small pools to stay fit, recover from illness or accidents, or get in shape. Dogs of all ages, whether they are swimming dogs or prefer to keep their feet dry have seen increased strength, reduced lameness, loosen tight muscles, greater coordination, faster healing, and more flexibility through hydrotherapy.
Hydrotherapy, also known as water exercise, is a popular treatment at canine rehabilitation centers and veterinary clinics. Hydrotherapy was originally developed for horses and racing Greyhounds. However, the treatment is now available for dogs and cats across the United States, Canada and Japan. Hydrotherapy is performed in a pool or plexiglass chamber with underwater treadmills. It stimulates the lymph and cardiovascular systems and strengthens muscles.
Hydrotherapy works because exercise is weightless when it’s in water. Walking or swimming in water helps to strengthen joints and muscles, without the jarring effects caused by gravity and hard surfaces. Water exercise has made a significant difference in the lives of many patients suffering from arthritis, elbow dysplasia, joint pains, cruciate ligament ruptures and bone fractures. Patients with neurological disorders like degenerative myelopathy and problems due to spinal strokes have also seen significant improvements. A spinal stroke (or fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE), is a condition in which a blockage or clot blocks spinal cord blood supply, resulting causing mobility loss.
Gracie, a nine year-old Dalmatian, was injured in her back in October 2010. She had to have a hemilaminectomy. This involves the removal of herniated disc material from under her spinal cord. Manipulation of a spinal cord can cause neurological symptoms. Gracie was unable to walk after the surgery. Her hind legs were dragging and her back was stiff. Although she was able to use a cart after surgery, Stehno wanted a full recovery.
Stehno is a receptionist at an animal hospital. An emergency veterinarian recommended Jennifer Hill, a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner, Helena, Montana. Hill is 90 miles from Stehno’s home. Gracie began hydrotherapy in January 2011 and Stehno traveled there every 7-10 days.
Stehno says that although Gracie doesn’t like swimming, she discovered her love for it once she was in the water. Her legs started moving the moment she got in the water. Gracie was able to walk again by June, the date she took her last swim. Although she can now climb and descend stairs independently, there are still moments when she is a bit wobbly. It’s exciting to take her on walks and watch her progress.
Dogs can use underwater treadmills
Carol Helfer, DVM, a veterinarian in Portland, Oregon has been offering hydrotherapy at her Canine Peak Performance Sports Medicine & Physical Rehabilitation Center almost ten years.
She says that because of the limited space, she uses an underwater treadmill. The majority of dogs swim with their front legs more than their rear, so I find that walking on an underwater treadmill can be a more effective treatment for many patients.
The dog begins a treadmill session by entering a plexiglass chamber. The speed is adjusted to the dog’s condition and size. The chamber is heated to 80 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit. This is approximately 27 to 31 degrees Celsius. Within minutes, the dog can walk in the water. You can adjust the level to suit your dog’s needs. For example, you can set it at shoulder height to give your dog extra buoyancy or to ease joint pain. Or, you can set it at knee high for a more intense workout.
There are many underwater treadmill systems that include adjustable hydrotherapy water jets and a reversible treadmill. They also have adjustable ramp angles that can alter weight distribution or target specific muscle groups.
Dr. Helfer says that most dogs begin with one to three exercise sets. Each set lasts two to three minutes depending on their tolerance. In most cases, my goal is to get them to walk for 20 minutes. It depends on the dog’s age and health. The time taken to reach that goal varies greatly. I usually start patients at 0.3 MPH (MPH), and rarely exceed 1 MPH. Sometimes I will work with a dog for athletic conditioning. In this case, I might use speeds between 3 and 5 MPH.
Dr. Helfer has trained tiny Yorkshire Terriers as well as super-tall Irish Wolfhounds on her treadmill. No dog was too large or too small.
Dogs can enjoy therapeutic pools
Hydrotherapy pools are large or small pools, but can also be endless-lap pools that have water resistance. Patients are required to wear life vests, except for dogs that have been trained and are able to swim for their own enjoyment. Swimming dogs can be directed and supported by overhead wires that are attached to their vests in some hydrotherapy pools.
Jennifer Hill suggested installing a pool when Apex Animal Hospital was built in Helena, Montana last year. She says, “I am a licensed physical therapy and have worked with humans before I started working on dogs.” “I did my internship in physical therapy in Hawaii where I also took aqua therapy classes. I enjoy being in the water with my patients and the freedom that a pool offers. It is great for recreational swimming, targeted therapy, and everything in between. The pool’s shallow ends have an underwater bench and steps that provide stability for standing or walking. This is particularly helpful for Corgis or Dachshunds who are more prone to back injuries. The pool’s adjustable water jets provide a gentle to strong current that allows for swimming.
Hill does more than just help dogs swim in the right direction. Hill says that if the hind legs become weak, which often happens, she will present her hand to the dog as a target. Dogs will instinctively kick at anything that touches their feet. It is good for your hips to engage in active kicking. I place my hands at the feet of the front legs if they need it. My feet will push against my hand if I press harder on the paw pads. I tilt the dogs slightly to the right or left, which shifts their center and causes an automatic adjustment.
Hill lures dogs swimming with a tennis ball or toy, treat, whatever it is, so that they turn left, right, and swim in figure 8. She says, “That’s so crucial for spinal motion.” “I also pinch the toes of dogs who have neurological damage due to surgery or spinal strokes in the same way that I walk or swim. Ataxia is a condition that causes a complete lack of coordination.
Hill has trained some of her patients in agility and obedience. Hill says that it’s fun to work alongside a dog that responds to voice commands. “You can speak ‘left’ or’ right and the dog will respond with her own figure-8s.”
A small floating platform such as a boogieboard or mini surfboard can also be used in pools. Hill says that this is a great option for small dogs. They get a good core workout and can keep their balance. You can see the board moving forward, backward, left, right, and vice versa. We also turn on the white water jets to give you an extra workout.
Dogs that have been injured, sick, or are recovering from surgery will need Hill’s attention at first. However, as they become stronger and more confident, a technician can supervise them. Hill says, “On swim day we live in our wetsuits.” “We are in the water together with the dogs, and we encourage owners to be beside the pool so that they can see their dogs’ progress.”
Hydrotherapy pools are heated to 80-88 degrees Fahrenheit, just like underwater treadmills. Salt water is sometimes used in some facilities, which can lead to additional therapeutic claims. Thalassotherapy is a term that refers to therapeutic baths in warm oceanwater. This water is thought to be similar to the body’s internal fluids, and allows magnesium and potassium to be drawn into bloodstreams while eliminating toxins.
Canine Hydrotherapy Patients
Hydrotherapy is often used by dogs for many reasons. Most facilities have different treatment options depending on the dog’s medical history.
Apex Animal Hospital, for example, has four levels of care. Two experienced handlers are required for Level 1 patients, who are the most severely disabled. Hill says that two people are needed for safety. This applies to both our safety and that of the dog. We move to the water as soon as a patient is cleared by their vet.
“One of my favourite Level 1 patients was a Bernese Mountain Dog, who just arrived at the hospital to have his knees and shoulder operated on. He had just arrived when he injured his shoulder muscle. Although the knee surgery went as planned, shoulder repair had to be done later. We could only do the shoulder surgery because of serious complications from one of the stifle operations. It was a two-person job. Sometimes, the patient might be so sick or obese that two people are needed to assist the dog in and out of the swimming pool. One Labrador Retriever, weighing 187 pounds, had never been in water before he went for his first swim. He is now 164 pounds, and although he has some work ahead of him, he doesn’t need us to be in the water with him.
Before swimming, most patients who have suffered from stifle or knee injuries, surgery, hip surgery or fracture repairs will receive four weeks of dry-land rehabilitation therapy from Hill.
Apex dogs can stay at either Level 1 or 2 (with the assistance of a rehabilitation therapist in a pool) for five weeks before being re-evaluated. Dogs at Level 3 are still recovering but need less supervision. Dogs at Level 4 require veterinary technicians to supervise their swimming.
All levels of exercise have the same goal: to increase muscle strength and stamina as well as provide cardiovascular training, stimulate lymph circulation, increase range and motion, and bring balance to all parts of the body by moving in all directions.
Dr. Helfer says that hydrotherapy patients can be divided into three groups. These include geriatric patients as well as dogs with neurological or surgery problems. The geriatrics are where I see the best results. It’s amazing how much these patients can improve by getting the right exercise. Older dogs that had difficulty jumping in the car or on the sofa can now do these things again. Their stamina also increases when they go for walks. Although I don’t intend to make a 13-year old puppy, owners often comment on Fluffy’s ability to do things she hadn’t done in years.
Noah, a Newfoundlander who began hydrotherapy sessions when he was 12, was Dr. Helfer’s favorite patient. She says, “That’s a great age for a Newfie.” He was in good health for an elderly man, but he was still having trouble moving around. He was able to improve his mobility and eventually passed away at the age of 15 1/2. Regular hydrotherapy was a key factor in his last years of life.
“Noah was a typical elderly man. We began with several sets lasting only a few minutes each and then gradually increased to 20 minutes without any rest breaks. According to my knowledge, hydrotherapy was his only form of exercise other than short walks in his neighborhood.
Dr. Helfer treats the most patients who have had knee surgery. This is usually to repair cruciate ligament tears and luxating patellas. She says that dogs who have had spinal surgery can also reap the benefits.
Dr. Helfer says that treadmill hydrotherapy is more effective for soft-tissue injuries than for hard tissue injuries. These injuries to muscles and tendons can be caused by slips, falls or sprains. She says that treadmill hydrotherapy can be used for controlled returns to activity in the later stages. I have a schedule that covers six to eight weeks. People who suffer from soft-tissue injuries are often quick to make mistakes. Dogs are often eager to be active again, so you shouldn’t rely on them telling you which activity is painful or difficult. You can make progress backwards for weeks if you do too many of the wrong activities.