Humans have used water therapy for treating a variety of issues such as arthritis. Now dogs, and many other pets, can benefit from using water as a medium for treating a variety of health problems. Learn about water therapy for dogs or dog hydrotherapy.
According to the Association of Canine Water Therapy, water therapy for dogs offers many benefits including: increase in the range of motion of extremities, arthritis pain reduction, increase of blood circulation and irrigation, increase of muscle tone, physical stress and anxiety reduction, and reduction of emotional stress.
How Hydrotherapy Work for Dogs?
Hydrotherapy exherts its benefits through two basic effecs: temperature effects and pressure effects.
Temperature effects: when muscles and joints are inmersed in warm water, heat starts to progressively tranfer from the water to the body. This has a calming, soothing effect on the dog. Additionally, muscles and joints start to slowly become less viscous and blood circulation and joint irrigation is increased. Thus, muscles and joints become more flexible.
Pressure effects: anything immersed in water is subjected to greater pressure. In terms of therapy, the increased pressure is like a squeezing effect. This increases lymphatic and venous return from the limbs and thus, helps clear the body from toxic metabolites. Many injuries are inflammatory in nature with a lot of toxic substances producing irritation and pain. The succesful elimination of those substances is essentail for joint and muscle recoveries.
Water Therapy for Dog Injury Rehabilitation
Injury rehab is one of the principal uses for hydrotherapy. As with humans, walking in water offers less pressure on joints and muscles. Thus, water therapy is highly recommended for dogs with joint and muscle injuries. Two or more weekly sessions will be needed to reap the full benefits of this kind of therapy. Under the care of a specialist, the dog will be placed in specially desigend pools filled with water at an appropriate temperature. The dog may be directed to walk or swim according to the degree of damage of their joints or muscles.
Water Therapy for Dog Physical Conditioning
Another use of dog hydrotherapy is physical conditioning. Certain dogs need to be in top-notch physical contition such as police dogs, racing dogs, etc. Water may offer training opprotunities for these dogs. In addition, this kind of training reduces the risk of joint and muscle injuries substantially.
Using water as therapy for dogs offers many benefits. However, as with any new treatment or activity related to your pet’s health always consult with your veterinarian for proper advising on this or any new treatment.
Diane Stein (1993) Natural healing for dogs & cats. The Crossing Press, USA
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