In aquatic therapy the buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, viscosity
and resistance, as well as surface tension all are important components
in the rehabilitation program for ones dog. These are all basic
principles to understand about the properties of water and how it
affects the body. Buoyancy is the upward thrusting of the water upon
the body, creating an apparent decrease in the weight of a body when
immersed in it. Buoyancy aids in the rehabilitation of the dog by
decreasing pain and minimizing the amount of weight placed on the
muscles and painful joints.
The percentage of body weight on land in these following positions, is
the basis of a study done on dogs and the amount of body weight they
carried when immersed in water:
with a dog in water up to the level of the hock it was 91%
when the water level was up to the top of the forelimb it was 85%
having water up to the greater trochanter of the femur it was 38%
This is very helpful when treating dogs with arthritis because joints
can be unloaded when considering the buoyancy factors of water.
Hydrostatic pressure offers an enhanced environment for working with
sore and swollen joints or edematous tissues. By it sustaining constant
pressure to the body or limb, it opposes the tendency of blood and
edema to gather in the lower extremities, whereby aiding in reducing
the swelling.
Pain is greatly reduced during exercise from hydrostatic pressure. This
pressure creates phasic stimuli to the sensory receptors of the skin,
causing a decrease in the nociceptor hypersensitivity. This allows the
dog to perform more movements with less pain, by reducing their
perception of pain.
Viscosity or resistance to fluid flow is greater in water than in air.
Water provides the resistance needed to strengthen the canine muscles
and increase their cardiovascular fitness. The viscosity increases the
sensory awareness and supports in stabilizing unstable joints. A dog
with paraparesis may willingly walk in water but not on land due to the
combination of buoyancy and viscosity which help support the dog.
With surface tension, if a dog is extremely weak, movement and exercise
are performed with more ease just beneath the water surface than at or
on the surface.
Canine hydrotherapy is extremely effective in improving muscle strength
and endurance, cardio respiratory endurance, range of motion, agility
and all the while enhancing the dog's psychological well-being in
addition to reducing the pain.
A dog's heart rate and oxygen uptake is totally increased from water
when hydrotherapy for dogs is implemented. The dog's heart rate is
increased further through the leg movements and the temperature of the
water. Although exercise on land is beneficial, exercise in water out
performed the land ones in both heart rate and oxygen uptake. To ensure
proper weight management, nothing compares to the aerobic exercise in
toning in the whole canine rehabilitation process.
Dog water therapy is by far the best in minimizing joint effusion and
obtaining superior functional improvement. Dogs exercising on land will
achieve greater maximum muscle performance. To allow the muscles to
operate in a more functional fashion, walking in water is highly rated.
To ensure there is no damage or inflammation to the soft tissues,
performing these exercises in dog hydrotherapy pools or dog underwater
treadmills where forces are decreased, is best.
To help reduce joint effusion and associated knee pain, dog pools and
dog underwater treadmills are highly effective. With a canine that has
had knee operations, such as cranial cruciate ligament (CCL)
stabilization surgery, this effectively aids in the recovery of
lower-extremity functioning. If a dog has surgery or is in post injury
rehabilitation, canine rehabilitation through aquatic exercises can be
useful as a transition to land based exercises.
The heated water provides many physiological benefits in aquatic
therapy for dogs. There is increased joint flexibility along with
decreased joint pain. Dogs get improved circulation to their muscles
and become more functional on a daily basis. Dogs with thicker coats
can tolerate cooler temperatures in water, however, the normal
temperature range is between 26 degrees C and 28 degrees C.
Hydrotherapy for dogs includes everything from dog pools, underwater
treadmills, to whirlpools. Aquatic therapy can also be achieved through
taking a dog to a lake or river, although caution must be exercised.
Underwater currents pose hazardous and if there is a recent incision,
bacteria could present a problem. The water temperature will not
provide the same benefits a a pool or underwater treadmill. Dogs can
wear a life preserver for safety.
These dog health conditions have been helped with hydrotherapy:
Knee Surgeries
ACL or TPLO surgeries
Hip replacements
Compromised Hip Structure
Joint inflammation
Broken bones or compromised Spine
Deteriorating joints
Nerve Disorders
Cognitive Dysfunction
Loss of a limb
Amongst all of the benefits from hydrotherapy for dogs, it also
includes improving the dog's balance, confidence, energy level and
co-ordination. When considering hydrotherapy for dogs the potential
benefits are vast. Any dog that has undergone surgery, their recovery
time is significantly reduced. To have minimal discomfort and to
restore the physical condition aquatic therapy is the choice.
Aquatic therapy is very calming for dogs. Besides stimulating metabolic
functions, the dog's level of stress is diminished. Besides draining
the lymphatic system thoroughly, the immune system is strengthened.
There are so many things that dog hydrotherapy accomplishes. From
regulating their electrolytes to removing toxins from their system, it
enhances their digestion and improves the dog's skin and coat.
The potential benefits of canine hydrotherapy is becoming more widely
recognized and utilized by veterinarians around the world. Aquatic
therapy is the therapeutic treatment of choice for canine patients of
today.
www.treatment-for-dogs.com
Print this page
