Canine Hydrotherapy
Getting Dogs Moving Freely Through Water Therapy
We treat a wide range of dogs of all ages, stages and conditions with Hydrotherapy. This weightless physical therapy works on many different physical ailments as well as giving dogs mental stimulation by exposing them calmly, safely and gently to a new activity. The hydrotherapist focuses on different problems by altering water height, speed of activity and sometimes manual assistance of your dog's movement.
To a dog, mobility is everything. So much of their enjoyment of life comes from being able to move freely and without pain. Maintaining or improving the quality of our dog’s life at any stage can be as simple as improving their ability to move comfortably.
While a primary use of Hydrotherapy is for dogs recovering from surgery it is also useful in other ways such as:
As an alternative to surgery
Pain relief
Increasing joint mobility
Increasing flexibility, muscle strength and tone and correcting muscle imbalances
Weight management
Improving physical condition without stress e.g senior dogs looking to maintain mobility or young dogs of large breeds that need physical exercise that does not overload developing joints and ligaments
Gentle exercise for arthritic dogs
Conditioning of sport or show dogs
During a hydrotherapy session dogs move on an underwater treadmill. The warm water provides most of the resistance but we can increase this and challenge the dog by adding incline to the treadmill and adjusting speed. The warm water helps muscles to move freely and reduces the risk of sudden cramping as can happen in cold water (such as swimming in the lake). We can also provide extra assistance in the form of flotation jackets and/or supporting them manually in the water. Even dogs that don’t swim or lack confidence benefit from the physical and mental challenge of the hydrotherapy treadmill.
Hydrotherapy is a veterinary referred treatment so for an appointment please contact me so we can discuss this with your veterinarian and get started.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hydrotherapy
What Do I Need To Do To Prepare My Dog For A Hydrotherapy Session? How Do I Care For them Them After?
Please don’t feed your dog for at least 3 hours before attending a session
Withhold food for at least 1 hour afterwards
For giant breeds and breeds at a higher risk of developing a Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, this should be extended to no food for 2 hours after their session.
Bring your dog on leash into the clinic
Bring treats for your dog, particularly if they have special dietary requirements
Please bring your own towels to dry them after the session
We recommend wrapping them in a warm blanket or cosy jacket after the treatment to keep them comfortable and maximise therapeutic gains
Every dog does react differently to hydrotherapy. Some are full of beans while others want to sleep for the rest of the day and don’t want to move at all. Please allow them time and space to rest.
It is important that you take your dog for a short, quiet walk and let them out for toilet in the garden a few times after a hydrotherapy session to give them a chance to stretch and move around.
How long is a hydrotherapy session?
Each hydrotherapy session is approximately 45 minutes long broken into intervals of working on the treadmill and resting. Your dog will not swim for the whole session. Remember that around 10 minutes of swimming is equivalent of 1 hour running, but without the impact on joints.
How much does a session cost?
Initial consultation session is 90 minutes, $120. Follow up appointments are $80.
My dog isn’t a swimmer, can he still do hydrotherapy?
Absolutely. No previous swimming expertise or doggy paddle prowess is necessary. We assist dogs in getting comfortable in the water and their feet need never leave the ground.
My dog hates the water, will this stress her out?
While some dogs might object to cold or open water where they can’t touch the ground and everything feels uncomfortable, the Hydrotherapy process is quite different. We introduce dogs calmly and slowly to the water, increasing the level of challenge for them as their confidence grows. Part of the skill of a therapist is helping dogs to rise to this new challenge and owners are often amazed at how their dogs grow in confidence during therapy sessions.
My dog swims in the lake all the time. How is this better for them?
Hydrotherapy is different to free swimming in lakes, ponds and rivers. This is a controlled aquatic exercise in therapeutic warm water, which allows the muscles to work more efficiently and without risk of sudden cramps. For dogs suffering from arthritis or any other joint problems, the cold water in a lake or ocean is counter-productive, as muscles contract and further damage can occur. Further, if the dog has a weak area they will not move correctly in the water without the professional help of a therapist. This causes the weak area to become weaker and the strong areas stronger. Swimming in this manner will not lead to a full recovery and there is a risk of further damage to weakened muscles and joints through compensation.
Are there any conditions you would not recommend hydrotherapy for?
Dogs with infectious or contagious conditions, including eye, ear or skin infections, vomiting, diarrhoea, kennel cough and open wounds will not be able to receive Hydrotherapy treatments. If your dog has cardiac or respiratory conditions or epilepsy any form of exercise may cause a serious problem so we must be informed so we can discuss the problem with your vet. We do not treat bitches while they are in heat.
All patients for Hydrotherapy must have a written veterinarian referral before Hydrotherapy treatments.
Should I consult with my vet first?
Hydrotherapy sessions are based on veterinarian recommendations and referrals so yes, you will need to see your vet for a referral for Hydrotherapy. As part of our initial assessment of your dog, from which our treatment plan is made we will also ask lots of questions about other medical conditions we need to account for. We always work with your vet to make sure the sessions are safe and productive.
How Many Sessions? How Often?
This all depends upon the purpose of hydrotherapy for your dog. As part of creating the treatment plan we consider what’s necessary and review this each time we meet.
Is The Water Clean and Chemical Free?
We adhere to a strict hygiene schedule for all of our treatments.
We do not use any chemicals in the underwater treadmill. Water that has been used during a treatment session, is pumped through a filter system to clean it from large and small foreign particles like hair, dirt, skin and urine.
Used water is replaced between sessions.
At the end of the treatment day, the water is completely drained and all machinery including the water tank is cleaned and disinfected. The tank is refilled with fresh tap water, which is undergoing regular readings and testing under the Queenstown City Council law regulation.
Maggie had major surgery on both rear legs (resulting from an over abundance of joy for life), Crucial ligament and Petella and here she is living her bestest life thanks to you Diana!
We wouldn’t be here without you!
— Julie & Maggie