What is hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy is the application of warm water and its properties from hydrostatic pressure to resistance. It is performed in water heated between 28 to 32 degrees celsius. On land, each paw placement creates a shockwave which travels up the limb and is absorbed through bones and tendons and joints. These stresses are necessary to maintain healthy, strong bones but if severe or repetitive, these shockwaves can damage or weaken the limb. This is especially the case for an arthritic joint or one recovering from injury or surgery.

Hydrotherapy allows "a safe workout" whilst strengthening all of the muscles and avoiding the land stresses which encourages muscles to work harder than they're required to on land.

Benefits of hydrotherapy

Increases joint range of movement improving mobility
Relief from pain, stiffness and swelling
Relaxes muscle spasms and tension
Reduces oedema (swelling)
Improves muscle patterning and recruitment important for dogs post op (neurological and orthopaedic)
Increases the sensory perception
Improves circulation in the body (Blood flow & Lymphatic Drainage)
Increases and maintains muscle strength
Increases cardiovascular fitness and promotes weight loss
Helps improve mental well being through the release of endorphins

Conditions that benefit from hydrotherapy:

Osteoarthritis (OA)
Hip & Elbow Dysplasia
Luxating Patella
Cardiovascular Fitness and Weight Management
Cruciate Ligament Injuries and Repairs
Pre and Post Operative
Amputation
Mental Stimulation
Fractures - Helps healing and new bone growth
Spinal Conditions (IVDD, IVDE, IVDP, FCE, DM etc)
Fitness / Puppy swims (familiarisation to water)
+ Many more

Hydrotherapy is not just for dogs with conditions!

At Top Dog Canine Hydrotherapy we treat a range of working dogs, sport dogs, fun and fitness as well as helping with confidence and puppy swims. Doing hydrotherapy with your dog in its first year is brilliant as it helps protect the joints from over loading whilst increasing muscle to support their joints as they grow. Puppy owners have to be careful when it comes to walking and over doing it too early as the growth plates are not fully formed until they reach adolescence. Typically around 1 year to 18 months. It is a safe way to tire them out both physically and mentally during their early stages.

Hydrotherapy is great for all dogs as it helps improve their joint function, strength and stamina which can overall help them perform better as well as improving their quality of life.

When to start hydrotherapy?

There is never a wrong time to start hydrotherapy we can help both preoperative and post operative condition from surgery’s. It is also a great alternative for conservative management if the patient would not benefit from the surgery.

Pre operative conditioning- Helps build up muscle mass and strength prior to surgical intervention which aids a faster recovery time.
Post operative Conditioning- Helps to aid with pain relief, increases range of motion, builds muscle mass. It further improves recovery time and helps to alleviate the stress from crate rest.

Delta's Story!

Delta is a 3-year-old German Shepherd who came to us at the beginning of November 2024 after having Bilateral Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture and having surgeries on both. He had both surgeries 6 months apart with his right hind being done first.

The cranial cruciate ligament is the same as the anterior cruciate ligament in humans and is a band of fibrous tissues that attach the tibia and femur together stopping weight shifting forward. It also helps reduce the knee (stifle) from rotating or over extending. This type of injury usually occurs from slow degeneration and not caused from physical trauma as much.

Delta has a 2cm imbalance in the hind limbs with the left hind being smaller. Delta also had a 1cm imbalance in his forelimbs with the right forelimb being smaller.

Delta has completed his 12 sessions in the underwater treadmill to target his specific muscles as well as correct his gait and improve his joint range of movement post-surgery. Over time we have seen an increase in Delta’s strength dramatically as he is now able to pull through the water comfortably and equally. He has gained 3.5cm on his left hind and gained 1.5cm on his right hind making him now balanced in his hind limbs. He also has gained 2cm on his right forelimb and gained 1cm on his left forelimb making him balanced on these limbs too. Delta has also lost some weight since coming to us as he unfortunately gained some weight due to the restricted exercise he had to have after his surgeries.

We have suggested that Delta comes for hydrotherapy fortnightly to slow the progression of osteoarthritis from forming and to maintain muscle strength and conditioning with hopes to space out his sessions even further in the future. Well done Delta!

Water properties used in hydrotherapy

Buoyancy

Buoyancy is the upward thrust of water on a patient’s body which creates a weightless environment helping support weak muscles and reduce pressure on the joints. It means the dog is not fighting gravity when exercising speeding up recovery. Essential for dogs that have had surgeries, arthritic patients and orthopaedic conditions, as it can ease pain allowing an easier movement.

Hydrostatic Pressure

Hydrostatic pressure is known as the pressure exerted by the water on a patient’s body. It creates pressure to decrease pain and swelling. This is done by providing a phasic stimulus to the sensory skin receptors causing a decrease in hypersensitivity. This allows the patients to move with greater confidence due to pain perception being reduced. It further helps to improve lymphatic drainage, increase blood circulation, help facilitate the removal of metabolic waste products and promote a healthier tissue healing. Lastly it has the benefits of increasing proprioceptive awareness by helping increasing feedback to the patients nervous system.

Surface Tension

Surface tension is greater at the surface of the water therefore there is slightly more resistance. Surface tension is not an issue if the dog is submerged but it becomes significant when a limb moves over the water or breaks the level. Hydrotherapy should always start at a high water to avoid this.

Viscosity & Resistance

Viscosity is the measurements of frictional resistance caused by attractive forces between molecules of a liquid. Resistance and viscosity in water is significantly greater than walking on land making it more harder to move through the water. This overall increases the resistance which improves cardiovascular fitness, strengthens muscles. Viscosity further helps increase sensory awareness as it can help stabilise the patients joints in the water this is why a dog with paraparesis are able to stand and move easier.

Turbulence

Turbulence is the disruption of the natural flow of the water which can improve balance, muscle strength and circulation. On the other hand, it can be detrimental as it can cause fatigue and loss of balance.

Temperature Regulation

Hydrotherapy is performed in 28 – 32 degrees Celsius which gives a therapeutic effect on the patient. This allows the muscle tissue to increase elasticity, increase cell metabolism, increase blood flow and relaxation. This helps provide pain relief. This is because the warmth stimulates the dilation of the blood vessels which can be referred to as vasodilation which helps with blood flow to an infected area. This helps healing as essential nutrients are brought to the affected area as well as potential waste products to be removed from the area to prevent further damage.