How Pool Therapy for Dogs Provides Pain Relief

Pool therapy for dogs, also known as hydrotherapy, is a rehabilitation technique for injuries and muscle conditions.

Like humans, pain management for dogs requires small, safe exercises in a controlled environment.

Hydrotherapy is an effective method for dogs since your pet’s weight is supported by the water, allowing them to begin the road to recovery with low-impact movements.

There are various types of canine hydrotherapy. Be sure to discuss the appropriate option for your dog with your vet before booking their first session.

What is Pool Therapy for Dogs?

Hydrotherapy for dogs usually consists of walking or swimming in shallow water, accompanied by a professional hydrotherapist and flotation devices.

Though this can be achieved by walking in shallow water at the beach, pool therapy is a very specific, structured type of program to ease arthritis discomfort in pets. Following injuries or surgical procedures, or if your dog requires greater exercise or optimised conditioning, your vet may recommend this form of rehabilitation.

Just as swimming provides a good cardiovascular and muscular workout for humans, increasing calorie burn, dogs also experience similar benefits, improving muscle strength.

With the aid of flotation devices, less pressure is placed on your dog’s limbs when using an underwater treadmill or swimming. This allows for gentle, healing activities to promote movement without the risk of discomfort.

Benefits of Pool Therapy for Pain Relief

Aquatic therapy supports joints and reduces pain in your dog as their paws only just touch the treadmill, allowing for gentle exercise without putting excess stress on their injured limbs. If swimming, your dog will wear buoyancy gear, so they float weightlessly in the water, saving the excess energy to stay afloat.

Ultimately, water therapy should form only one part of a dog’s overall rehabilitation program. Listen to your vet’s advice for a holistic plan, especially if a variety of medications or surgery is required to support your pet’s health conditions.

However, the benefit is that pool therapy has versatile functions, and even ten minutes of regular exercise in the dog will reduce their risks of obesity and inflammation, improve blood flow and muscle mass, and maintain a healthy well-being.

Conditions that Benefit from Pool Therapy

Primarily, hydrotherapy supports dogs with arthritis — joint inflammation, which causes extreme discomfort to the dog, leading to a reluctance to walk. Required treatments include painkilling and anti-inflammatory medication to restore joint fluid, along with regular, moderate swimming.

As pool therapy is weightless, dogs are encouraged to completely extend their limbs on treadmills or during water exercise.

Since pool therapy aids muscle strength and irritation relief, it’s beneficial for dogs with the following conditions:

• Dogs with neurological conditions
• Pets suffering from painful osteoarthritis (leading to lameness, increasing immobility, and muscle weakness, which can lead to a reduction in quality of life)
• Post-operative recovery from orthopaedic procedures
• Dogs dealing with pain (due to hip dysplasia)
• Metabolic conditions resulting in muscle atrophy (like Cushing’s and diabetes)
• Paralysed dogs
• Helping overweight pets with weight loss through exercise

Dogs older than 7 years are considered seniors. It’s important to follow your vet’s lead when it comes to caring for ageing pets, including their exercise routine. However, small bouts of swimming will help regulate their temperature and improve their physical shape.

Post-surgery care is crucial once you leave the vet’s clinic. Water treatment will need to occur two weeks after the surgery, to ensure the wound is clean and dry, and any stitches have been removed.

What to Expect During a Pool Therapy Session

There are three types of aquatic therapy sessions for dogs:

1 – Underwater Treadmill. This allows for gentle, gradual weight-bearing exercises by varying the water level (and thus controlling the dog’s buoyancy level) to treat joint issues and arthritis. Encased in a glass or plastic container large enough to suit most dogs, the hydrotherapist will open a side door for the dog to walk in, shut the door, and fill the chamber with water to above your dog’s hips. The transparent case allows for observation from all angles. The treadmill slowly moves, encouraging your dog to walk without the additional stress of gravity, therefore providing strength training.

2 – Dog Pools. Here, a professional hydrotherapist guides your dog in non-weight-bearing exercises to get the joints moving and build strength and endurance. Dog pools are effective for osteoarthritis and weaknesses related to neurological conditions.

3 – Dog Whirlpools provide a massage-like benefit to relax your dog’s muscles. Consider it a jacuzzi treatment for your pet.

Of course, pool therapy is not for every dog. If your pet becomes overly anxious or struggles to swim, gradual exposure with treats and praise is important. The goal of hydrotherapy is to ease pain, so if your dog is becoming increasingly agitated with a high heart rate, it’s best to stop.

Finding a Qualified Canine Hydrotherapist

At Rossmore Vet, we offer high-quality orthopaedic services for your canines, as well as other comprehensive treatments that cater uniquely to your dog’s health and mobility needs.

If you are considering exploring hydrotherapy as a treatment option for your furry friend, why not bring them along to Rossmore Vet’s very own aqua therapy pool? You’ll have our gentle and professional veterinarians guiding their recovery treatment. Call the team on (02) 9606 6984 for more information.