Canine Rehabilitation

Hydrotherapy for dogs has long been established as a beneficial treatment for many conditions. It is a form of non-weight bearing exercise utilising the therapeutic properties of water. It can help to increase the strength and mobility of joints and muscles and improved range of motion. The warm water is a great reliever of pain and inflammation, promoting healing and over wellbeing. 

Swimming is an excellent exercise for general fitness, but aquatic treadmill therapy provides greater control of the speed, duration, and intensity of exercise. The flexion and extension of specific limbs and joints can be targeted by variations in water depth and the use of floatation devices.

The treadmill also requires the animal to weight bear and therefore adopt a normal walking gait. The position adopted for swimming, particularly where dogs are hoisted into a pool and swim against jets, can lead to a tightening of the back and shoulder muscles resulting in a stiff and sore neck.

Another treadmill benefit is that it assists with proprioception as the resistance of the water increases sensory awareness and provides stability whilst allowing a longer reaction time for the patient to place its feet.

Veterinary Physiotherapy encompasses a range of treatments whereby a tailored programme would be made for your pets specific condition. We use a range of equipment and electro therapies to play a vital role in helping your animal recover or adapt from injury or surgery. Home strengthening and exercise plans are often prescribed so owner involvement is often important. 

Massage therapy address’s musculoskeletal issues and is utilised to rehabilitate soft tissue injury and provide chronic pain management for dogs that suffer from orthopaedic conditions. 

Canine sports massage is an alternative therapy performed on the Musculoskeletal system. 

It can be undertaken for a variety of conditions and is a recognised technique to reduce the chance of further injury and speed up the healing process when an injury as occurred.