Dogs´ Info Planet

Dogs´ Info Planet Latest articles from Dogs´ Info Planet (http://www.dogsinfoplanet.com) http://www.dogsinfoplanet.com 2012-05-25T03:10:53+01:00 text/html 2009-07-29T18:06:58+01:00 http://www.dogsinfoplanet.com <div>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. <a href="http://www.treatment-for-dogs.com/" target="_blank">www.treatment-for-dogs.com</a></div><div style="font-style: italic"> About the Author: </div><div>Helga Schmitt has been avidly studying and researching dog health, physiotherapy and rehabilitation hands on for 20 years. She is a Chartered Herbalist, Holistic Nutritionist, and holds a Certificate in Homeopathy. She is striving to educate dog owners about healthy choices. For your Free Dog Health Report and to read more on <a href="http://treatment-for-dogs.com/hydrotherapy.html" target="_blank">Hydrotherapy for Dogs</a>, go to <a href="http://treatment-for-dogs.com/" target="_blank">www.treatment-for-dogs.com</a>. </div> http://www.dogsinfoplanet.com/dog-hydrotherapy-its-a402.html 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.