Diy - Hydrotherapy

[Garden Girl]

Hi all - I have heard many benefits of hyrotherapy for knee and hip problems in dogs. Is this something that should be done by a professional or could I just put my dog in the pool (when its a bit warmer) and let him do a couple of laps?

I was thinking about getting him a life jacket (even though he is already pretty bouyant) to make it easier, even if it is just to start with.

Our pool is fiberglass and in the heat of summer gets quite warm and we have a pool blanket too so if we leave that on its really warm in there - would that be better than normal coolish pool temp?

Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks

[Russkie30]

If you don't mind the hair in the pool. I let my dogs swim in my pool. Some people say the chlorine/salt is not good for their coats but I don't have any problems with mine. My boy loves it

[Nicole...]

It might be worthwhile taking him to see an animal physio that uses hydrotherapy so that they can teach you what to do and devise a program. If you say from the outset that that is what you are there for, then they should understand that and not expect you to come back repeatedly.

[Dogsfevr]

if i remember correctly i think the ideal temp is 27 but if i had a pool in the back mine would be in there asap doing laps.

[Pawprints]

My beach is quite shallow for a long way out and I walk out with Tealc until his feet are just touching the bottom of the ocean. We walk up and down the beach, in the water. He treads along the bottom of the ocean and then takes a little swim out deeper when he wants.

Saved me heaps of money with the hydrotherapy and it has worked wonders for him. The vet is very pleased with his muscle gain. (I'm also pleased with my toned bum! - nice side effect of walking in thigh height water!) lol :cool:

[Garden Girl]

Thanks for that info - Soap is not too keen on going past his ankles at the beach! I have put him in the pool a couple of times to cool off - he doesnt love it but I think he will learn to tolerate it.

I have also heard that pools arent good for their coats - but when he comes out of the salt water pool his coat is fantastic.

[puggy_puggy]

It might be worthwhile taking him to see an animal physio that uses hydrotherapy so that they can teach you what to do and devise a program.

Great suggestion.

If you go to a professional hydo session you could also discuss if you should get a life jacket or not.

What are the problems your dog has? I have heard that dogs with patella problems should not swim as it places to much strain on them.

[Garden Girl]

puggy_puggy...I heard the opposite

My boy sometimes skips a bit when he runs and it was suggested a bit of pool time might be good for him. It hasnt officially been diagnosed as his patellas - or hips - or anything else...hmmm...

[Garden Girl]

Well i bought a life jacket today (they only had pink in his size - so we wont go out in public - then little girl can have it when she is big enough) will put the pool blanket on to warm up the pool a bit and see how we go.