Hydrotherapy comes from the Greek meaning 'water healing'.  We use this therapy in animals in either a swimming pool or an underwater treadmill. So what is the underwater treadmill and how is it used? 
The underwater treadmill is a sealed unit, which usually consists of two doors at either end and glass viewing panels. Warm water is pumped into the treadmill unit to a certain depth depending on the patient's needs. The water is heated to between 28 and 31 degrees to improve blood perfusion to tissues, reduce inflammation and promote healing. Sanitisers such as chlorine, bromine or salt are usually added to the water to keep it clean and should be managed to similar levels as found in a pool or spa.
Once the patient is acclimatised to the treadmill the belt is started and adapted to the patient's natural gait pattern or requirements. Very weak or new patients will need a very slow speeds whereas fitness and conditioning patients may build up to periods of trotting.
Safety is a priority with any form of water therapy and a thorough assessment of the patient should be made before starting this therapy. Conditions such as renal disease, diabetes and heart conditions should be carefully considered as the pressure of the water will have an impact on blood pressure and kidney function. Patients in the underwater treadmill should ALWAYS wear either a harness or buoyancy aid even if they are experienced. 
For the majority of the time a hydrotherapist should be in the underwater treadmill with each patient to provide support and hands on therapies such as gait patterning and massage/stretching.

The underwater treadmill is an extremely useful tool for rehabilitation practitioners to use in combination with other therapies to help improve recovery and promote health in our patients.

 

Is your older dog 'slowing down' a little or not quite as enthusiastic about walks as they used to be? As the weather starts to cool many older dogs can really start to feel the effects of osteoarthritis. These little changes can be quite subtle and difficult to spot when you're with them every day.

Signs may include:
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• Slower to rise in the morning or after a long sleep
• Longer periods 'dozing' during the day
• Slowing down towards the end of a walk - this can be shown by more 'sniffing' but they are actually trying to slow down the pace a little
• Less instigation of games at home
• Becoming less tolerant of other dogs and puppies in particular
• Licking over joints and between toes - you may notice a pinkish patch of fur which can be staining of the saliva on the coat
• Hesitance to jump into the car, especially at the end of walks
• More reactive at home - they may be more sensitive to small noises or increase barking at unfamiliar sounds
• Reluctance to walk on different surfaces such as slippery or smooth wooden floors or gravel and rough surfaces outside

 
Unlike cats and humans dogs can develop arthritis at any age so it's important to recognise the subtle signs that they may be struggling. Thankfully there is plenty you can do to help!
 

• Split walks into shorter but more frequent sessions. The key is keeping those joints moving to improve circulation, reduce inflammation and keep the muscles strong. Older dogs can be improved greatly by having two 20 minute walks a day rather than 1 40 minute walk.
• Provide grip such as floor mats over areas at home that may be slippery and try to avoid jumping up or down or going up and down too many steps. Consider a ramp into the back of the car if you have a very large dog.
• Keep their weight down! Being overweight can be a huge (excuse the pun!) factor in both the development and worsening of arthritis. Reducing calories in the form of treats or undertaking a weight loss programme can help significantly.
• Consider supplements such as Glucosamine, Chondroitin and or Green Lipped Mussel. There are thousands of products out there to choose from so consult your vet for the most up to date and tested products. See future post on Supplements.
• Anti-inflammatories. These can be invaluable in managing the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis and should be safe to use long-term under the guidance of your veterinary surgeon. Your vet may also recommend a course of injections to help promote and maintain healthy join cartilage.
• Finally consider a hydrotherapy and rehabilitation programme which can provide relief and encourage muscle development and flexibility to support the joints and body as a whole. Hydrotherapy reduces the load on joints whilst exercising whilst the warm water provides pain relief and reduces inflammation and swelling. Rehabilitation can help improve overall condition, muscle mass and improve balance and co-ordination.

 
Prevention is certainly better than cure and muscle lost is much more difficult to regain, especially in older animals. Getting started early can make a huge difference to quality and length of life. Visit your local vet or give us a call for more information.