DOGS:WHEN IS HYDROTHERAPY USEFUL?

DOGS:WHEN IS HYDROTHERAPY USEFUL?
 
Canine hydrotherapy is the most effective when it is used for some specific causes. These health issues and problems are meant to be treated with canine water therapy and the result, therefore, is commendable. Let’s look into some of these specific use cases of hydrotherapy for dogs.

     

Dogs with hip dysplasia

Hydrotherapy is an ideal treatment for hip and elbow dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a chronic and degenerative condition in which your dog has developed the hip or elbow joints abnormally. Basically, the head of the dog’s femur bone fails to completely fit into the hip’s socket. When this condition affects your dog, their ligaments become weaker and the joints get misaligned and inflamed. As a result, walking seems to be extremely painful and difficult. There is also stiffness all over.

Hydrotherapy for dogs uses the controlled aquatic exercise to build the weakened muscle in the hind legs. The mobility and endurance of the joints of your dog increases and this happen without putting excessive pressure on your dog’s lower body. Gentle and regular swimming is the key to manage hip dysplasia and these water therapies are suitable for other degenerative joint conditions as well.

HYDROTHERAPY IN DOGS. : BENEFITS OF HYDROTHERAPY IN DOGS.

   Hydrotherapy for dogs comes with multiple benefits for dogs with injuries and joint issues. The following are some of the most prominent benefits of this therapy for dogs.

    Pain Relief – Hydrotherapy for dogs is a pain relief technique that uses the buoyancy of the water to relieve joint and muscle pains in a dog. The warm water has a soothing effect on the painful joints that also tend to get flexible with this therapy.

   Reduces Inflammation – Hydrotherapy for dogs works like magic on sore joints and reduces inflammation of muscles. Therapies like the underwater treadmill encourage a movement of the joints and muscles without requiring your dog to undergo a lot of stress.

  Muscle Relaxation – The buoyancy and the resistance of the water come together to create a force, which effectively relaxes the tired and sore muscles of your dog. That is why; hydrotherapy for dogs is a recommended practice after any orthopedic surgery.

  Soften Muscles – When your dog has not walked for an injury for a long time, their muscles tend to get tight. Hydrotherapy for dogs induces movement of the muscles under water, which prevents them from getting tightened.

 Increased Coordination – Hydrotherapy for dogs also improves coordination. Your dog learns to flexibly move the muscles and often, going the extra mile to encounter the resistance. These activities lead to better coordination of the hips and legs. Hydrotherapy.

How does hydrotherapy for dogs work?

How does hydrotherapy for dogs work?

   Hydrotherapy for dogs can be performed using different types of equipment. They each serve a specific purpose.

  

Underwater treadmills

An underwater treadmill is the most common form of hydrotherapy for dogs. They are quite effective for dogs with joint problems. It is basically a treadmill that comes in a glass or plastic enclosed chamber. As you help your dog enter the chamber or tank, the doors are shut and the water fills up the tank with the level being just above the dog’s legs.

Now, the dog gradually begins to walk on the treadmill and faces the resistance that the water creates to strengthen his muscles in a low-impact environment. The speed of the treadmill is usually medium though it can vary depending upon the dog’s injuries and ability to walk fast.

As a result of this specific type of hydrotherapy for dogs, there is an improvement in blood circulation, an increase in joint flexibility and reduction in joint pain. Some of the additional benefits include cardiorespiratory endurance, agility and muscle strength. Get the guide Hydrotherapy in dogs.

DOGS: HYDROTHERAPY FOR DOGS.

PAIN IN DOGS? HYDROTHERAPY TO THE RESCUE.

•      Hydrotherapy for dogs is a medical practice that uses water to relieve dogs of certain joint and bone pains and problems.
•     Hydrotherapy or more specifically, canine hydrotherapy basically uses the main properties of the water namely buoyancy, viscosity, hydrostatic pressure and resistance.
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•   Buoyancy is the ability or tendency of a body to stay afloat or rise to the top of a liquid or gas. Such properties of water enable dogs to flexibly move their joints. Water makes the dog’s body buoyant by actually supporting the weight of the body when submerged. Your dog, as a result, no longer needs to fight gravity. The buoyancy of the water minimizes the stress on the joints, creating a safe environment for recovery from joint injuries as such.
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• Hydrotherapy for dogs is particularly beneficial when recovering after surgery of the joints or bones. It benefits dogs that are suffering from degenerative joint disease or are perhaps, partially paralyzed. Water therapy further improves conditions like hip dysplasia, amputation of a limb or simply, arthritis due to old DOGS.