Hydrotherapy

[MurphysMinder]

As some of you may remember my 8 year old GSD Buffy has had spinal problems. She has been on cartrophen injections but about a month ago I noticed her hind movement was deteriorating. A vet rehabilitation centre has recently opened by us and my vet suggested trying it. To cut things short she has today had her 3rd session on an aqua treadmill and I think I am beginning to see a difference.

She basically goes into an enclosed treadmill which is then filled with water to just below her stomach. Today she did 3 separate 3 minute sessions and is really getting the hang of the treadmill (first couple of times there was a lot of water everywhere

I might try and get a picture of her on it if I can drag son and camera along next week. No real reason for posting this but I know a lot of people on here have dogs with joint problems so thought you might be interested.

 

[CAYLA]

I know alot of people that use a hydro pool/equiptment with good results, esp post healing fracture repair.
Im glad she is doing well, and don't forget the piccies *cala*expects piccies in about a year

"and runs to avoid a crack"

 

[mattilda]

The vet who did Dexters cruciate ligament suggested hydrotherapy as he is still slighty lame on the 2nd leg. I just can't see me getting him in there, think I'll have to go in with him. He is a real wimp if he gets scared. Might be worth a whizz though, sounds pretty good.

 

[MurphysMinder]

Buffy is a real wimp, she doesn't like swimming which is why we thought the treadmill option was better than the pool. I would be lying if I said she was enjoying it but she certainly doesn't seem freaked out. The first session she didn't have any water in, just spent ages first of all walking through the box, then having front and back shut, then tread mill onslow etc, all with lots of praise and titbits. This is the website of where I take her which shows a picture of the treadmill, hope it isn't considered advertising

http://www.gablecrossvetrehab.co.uk/

 

[mattilda]

Hey very handy for me!! Where abouts in Cheshire are they? I have to talk to the vet in the next couple of weeks about Dexs leg and I have a feeling this is what we will be doing!!

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Luckily for me Sweep *touches wood* is in one piece and has his own hydrotherapy pool on the farm - well some people may call it a brook....

Glad its working for your dog though - how much water do they put in? is it up to her tummy?

 

[nijinsky]

Very interesting, love to see some pics. I used to take Blue swimming to help with his ED but he really didn't like it so gave up with it.

 

[Lucy_Nottingham]

hydrotherapy is great, especially for joint recovery and fracture repair as they build up muscle and tone etc again but without hte pressure on the joints and bones etc... such a clever invention

pictures would be great, and I will be visiting their website just ot be nosey!

 

[competitiondiva]

my 8 year old lab x dalmation was diagnosed with mild hip displaysia AND arthritis!! She wasn't running or jumping and was screaming when she moved (this from a dog who runs like a greyhound and never stops!!), she was referred to a specialist for x rays but she wasn't bad enough for a hip replacement etc, so the vet advised dosing her on painkillers, resting for 5 weeks then trying hydrotherapy. There was a local vet referral one nearby so we got started.

Needless to say after a few months we were able to cut the painkillers down to half the dose and she no longer needs to go to hydrotherapy as she is running like the wind again, playing with all the other dogs etc, it's great to have her old self back again.

Thumbs up for hydrotherapy!

 

[MurphysMinder]

Mattilda, they are just north of Malpas. I should add its not cheap

, but if your dog is insured (which Buffy isn't) I think most companies would cover it as they only see dogs by vet referral, you can't just go on a whim.

Slinky - the water is to just below her tummy, in her case the idea is to get her using her hindquarters more and this level seems to do the job, apparently if it is too shallow it can unbalance them when the treadmill is operating.

 

[chelljacobs]

Hydrotherapy is the best thing to happen to me (and my girl ) !

My OH is a hydrotherapist, one of my GSPs has Spondylosis and at only 3... but with swimming, the vets predictions of a very short life (poss a few more months before shes in extreme pain) has lasted another year and is going to have many many more to come. Hardly ever has to have painkillers, only if she over works herself, running all over the place all day in the fields.

She goes in the big pool and my young girl loves to watch and has occasionally tried to join her friend in the pool getting all the fun! Even though she really doesn't find it fun! She is not a water fan... hehe!

So yey for hydro!!!

 

[dozzie]

My dog went for a couple of years when he had symptoms of wobblers. It helped his muscle development as he had grown too fast and had been unable to exercise due to his wobbliness which made the problem worse. He loved going but I do have to watch him round water now as he is likely to leap into anything!