Hydrotherapy

Animal Hospital Aisti was the first clinic to have a swimming pool for dogs in Finland. The author of this text has made her graduating work for animal physiotherapy studies about hydrotherapy and has been learning hydrotherapy practically in Sweden and Germany before starting her carrier in Aisti.

The most commonly used hydrotherapy methods are therapeutic exercises in swimming pool and exercises on underwater treadmill. Aisti has possibility to do both. Active exercise can be started earlier in water than on dry land, because the buoyancy of the water is decreasing stress on the joints while still exercising muscles effectively. Dog in the water has a tendency to move the limbs more spontaneously as swimming movements are automatic and reflexive if the animal is placed in to water. Water decreases muscle tension and also abnormal muscle tone may be decrease with exercising in water. Increased pressure to tissue in water helps decreasing swelling. Hydrotherapy improves muscle strength, endurance, cardiovascular fitness and joint range of motion.

Indications are orthopaedic conditions, (fractures, osteoarthritis, cranial cruciate ligament rupture patients), neurological conditions, (disc disease, fibrocartilaginous embolism, degenerative myelopathy), disuse of limbs, pain or prevention. Hydrotherapy is also an effective aid in obesity management. Contraindications are fever, acute joint infections, diseases that weaken the metabolic system, open wounds and severe skin changes.

Dog in a swimming-pool.                

Underwater treadmill

On the underwater treadmill the dog is walking on the leash and the depth of the water as well as the speed of the treadmill depends on the needs of the patient. The dog is taken to the treadmill through walking along a ramp (big dogs) or the dog is lifted (smaller dogs). The exercise on the treadmill is improving joint motion and effective rebuilding of the muscles without causing unnecessary pain.

Moving on the underwater treadmill is a controlled, quiet exercise without external disturbances. The range of motion of joints in the water is greater than on dry land, still the stress on the joints is lower in the water. This makes an increase in muscle mass possible although the limb is not yet strong enough for active exercise on dry land.

There is possibility to increase the intensity in the training with a jet stream.

Watermassage is available.

Swimming pool

Dog is guided manually or with assisting devices in the swimming pool in order to swim in desired manner and direction. The Aisti pool is 2 meters wide, 3 meters long and 1,2 meters deep what is enough also for a large dog. In smaller pool the physiotherapist can get closer to the dog without getting into water herself. This makes possible to combine swimming with other physiotherapy methods easily.

The dog is taken into the pool trough a ramp or it is lifted. The cleaning of the pool is working same way like in human pools, with the help of pumps and filtration. There is chlorine added to the water therefore shower after swimming is necessary. Lifejacket is usually used for all dogs at least in the beginning of the swimming.

Swimming-pool          

Ramp is leading into the pool.

Along the ramp into the pool.

Shower and drying after swimming.

  There is possibility to walk around the pool. This increases exercise alternatives and make intervention easier.

Good to know before you bring your dog to hydrotherapy

It would be desirable to bring a clean dog to hydrotherapy. The hair of long haired dogs could be brushed beforehand preferably. It recommended to take a jacket for the dog if the weather is cold if possible. Own toys or treats are allowed to bring along for motivation, especially own treats if your dog is allergic. Do not feed the dog heavily before hydrotherapy. There is no need to bring towels, we have plenty. Please do not wear your best clothes, you might get wet!

The dog may be very tired after hydrotherapy, this is normal. It is not necessary to exercise the dog a lot on the same day as hydrotherapy. Sporting dogs should not have hydrotherapy the day before or the same day as competition or training.

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