|
|
|
|
|
|
What is Hydrotherapy?
Simply, it is exercise in water.
Hydrotherapy has long been used for rehabilitation in humans and the benefits are well documented. Racehorse and greyhound trainers have used hydrotherapy for fitness, but it is still often overlooked field of veterinary medicine. This is changing as vets now recognise the benefits it can offer and are able to recommend somewhere if a pet needs rehabilitation after surgery.
|
|
|
|
|
Rehabilitation with Hydrotherapy can:
Relieve pain.
Maintain mobility in older dogs.
Provide earlier return to normal function, post surgery.
Prevent muscle wastage, help arthritis management.
Decrease scar tissue formation.
Improve cardiovascular fitness.
Help with weight loss programmes.
Have positive psychological effects.
Hydrotherapy is part of an overall rehabilitation programme where a team of professionals are required to provide the best outcome. Team members being:
• Veterinarian
• Veterinary Nurse
• Hydrotherapists
• Client
|
|
Concept of Hydrotherapy
• Therapeutic exercise in warm water.
• Benefits well documented in human patients.
• Increased circulation to muscles.
• Increased joint flexibility.
• Reduced joint pain.
• Reduced healing timeframes.
|
|
Benefits of and Response to Aquatic Exercise and Therapy
• Nervous, sensory stimulation, proprioceptive feedback.
• Muscular strength and endurance improvement.
• Skeletal stress and healing tissues and arthritic joints and oedemas and joint fusion range of motion.
• Cardiovascular, increased fitness.
• Respiratory, increased fitness.
|
|
|
|
|
Indications for Hydrotherapy
• Stable fractures post-operatively.
• Tendon and ligament injuries.
• Leg, cranial cruciate ligament stabilisation.
• Muscle weakness, muscle spasms.
• Arthritis.
• Contractures and scars.
• Fitness and body conditioning (including obese animals).
|
|
Response to Aquatic Therapy and Exercise
Response determines safe progress.
Monitoring of level of function and vital signs before, during and after treatment. The patient may be tired and sore immediately after the treatment butt this should resolve within the next 24 hours and definitely before the next session.
|
|
|
|
Typical Patients
Young Dogs
e.g. Elbow and hip dysplasia Osteochondritid Dissecans (often affects the elbow and shoulder). These dogs may have surgery. They need moderate non-weight bearing exercise to build up their muscles and improve range of motion without damaging the joint further.
Old Dogs Arthritis, Osteoporosis (may also have health problems).,. These dogs need gentle exercise in warm water to relieve pain and keep joints and muscles healthy.
Orthopaedic Injuries
Bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments.
e.g. Fractures, cranial ligament rupture. If the affected limb is not post-operatively mobilised, muscle waste and joint range of motion is lost but the surgeon does not want the animal to move around too soon.
|
|
Neurological Problems
Brain, spinal cord and nerves
e.g. Intervertebral disc disease - may need surgery
Spinal cord injuries
Degenerative conditions
These patients need to regain motor control and mobility as soon as possible. They may be weak and uncoordinated. Exercising in water helps to support the body and provides resistance, so patients can strengthen muscles and re-learn to walk without risk of causing further injuries.
|
|
Obese Dogs
May have other problems (Arthritis, Hip Dysplasia and Heart)
Need to exercise but too much weight risks joint damage or is too uncomfortable under veterinary supervision
• Goal weight
• Diet
• Home programme
Canine Athletes
Allows animal to cross train increase duration intensity and frequency leading up to competition. Work on endurance, strength and speed
Greyhounds need speed. Sprint workouts at maximal intensity.
Sled Dogs need strength and endurance. Long workouts with extra resistance at sub-maximal intensity. |
|
|
