Am I mad? Hydro

L

LBF

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Hi all! Hope everyone is well!

P had an op for luxating patella back in 2010 at 1 year old, I decided to start hydro with him as soon as I could in weekly sessions. Now, in 2013 I am still taking him but now fortnightly.. Am I mad to keep taking him? My ins company will pay for 10 sessions a year but the rest I fund. I have just done the sums and I pay around £500 a year :eek:

He only had the one leg done so in my mind I'm keeping the muscles strong on the other leg to try and prevent that one from going too? The operated leg is completely healed (as hydro lady says) and I suppose my visits are just keeping him fit!

He is such a speed merchant it makes me cringe to see him flat out, twisting and turning at high speed being chased by his buddies! I keep thinking his knees are going to pop out..Eek!

Do you think it is worth it?

(Just to add.. the lady who swims him is just delightful and we have a great time talking dogs! I enjoy it more than the dog no doubt ;))
 
Can't you take him to a lake/river/seaside? I swim my dog all year round for free! Or a horse pool. I used to be able to take two dogs to a local race yard for as long as I liked for £5.
 
Swimming is usually a very good exercise, so I would presume that it helps keeping his muscles strong in both his body and all his legs, which hopefully should make it less likely that any of his knees should pop out, but there is no guarantees.

I don't know if it is worth it or not, if you can afford it, it is most likely good for your dog, and you get the bonus of having a great time talking dogs with the hydro lady. But it does sound like a lot of money to spend on something, that you at least during the warmer times of the year, perhaps could get for free, as CaveCanem said, in a nearby lake, river or the seaside. If something of the later is an option for you, maybe you could take him there and swim him e.g. during the warmer months of the year, and then take him to the hydro lady again, when it gets colder outside?

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One of our neighbours built what we thought was going to be a large hot tub. It turned out to be one of those never ending pools: with the current provided by a pump? It's for his husky, he wanted to be able to give it extra exercise and keep it cool in the hot weather. Inventive chap! Would this be an option for you?
 
Hey,

hydro is great initally particularly if you are having weight bearing issues but at this stage it probably isn't worth it.
I also think that swimming dogs is great for cardiovascular exercise but I prefer the water treadmill for gait re-education as this is more functional.

Also try not to worry about him tearing about this is normal and if it's going to re sublux it will whether he is running around or not.

Good luck,

Julia Gilbert Vet Physio
 
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