Keeping dogs moving is key to keeping them happy, but that’s harder to do as they age and become arthritic. Treating arthritis typically requires a multi-pronged approach and, more and more, people are finding that hydrotherapy can be a very effective — and enjoyable — component of their pet’s treatment plan.
Hydrotherapy, using an underwater treadmill or pool, takes advantage of the buoyancy and resistance of heated water to help rehabilitate weak muscles and painful joints. While it’s increasingly common for veterinarians to recommend aquatic therapy for their canine patients who are recovering from orthopedic surgery, a growing contingent of dog guardians have discovered the benefits of hydrotherapy for their elderly dogs as well.
Lynda Miller of Novato is passionate about hydrotherapy. Her 13-year-old Lab, Sully, was slowing down rapidly. Even though he was on arthritis medications, “He was becoming fossilized,” says Lynda, “and he was unhappy. But, within his first two hydrotherapy sessions, he was moving more easily and wanting to go for his walks again. He also did his first play bow in three years!”
How Does Hydrotherapy Work?
Juli Dell’Era, RVT, is the certified canine rehabilitation practitioner at the Animal Care Center in Rohnert Park. She describes hydrotherapy as being one very important component of helping a dog with arthritis, the others being a controlled exercise program and medication. She also notes that, in some cases, hydrotherapy might help avoid the long-term use of medications, which some older dogs don’t tolerate well.
Juli explains that by keeping an animal more active, hydrotherapy can improve a dog’s quality of life and psychological well-being, and deter or slow down further joint degeneration.
When a dog loses range of motion, the dog stops using certain muscles, which causes atrophy and then weakness. Exercising in heated water increases an animal’s active range of motion, and stretches out and warms up the muscles.
“Arthritis is a degenerative process,” says Juli. “There is no cure, but we can usually slow things down. And the dogs are happier because they’re moving more and experiencing less pain.”
If a dog has a hind end problem, Juli explains that the treatment calls for water walking, adjusting the height of the water in the tank to get the best range of motion. If the dog has a front end problem, she has the dog swim. An underwater treadmill tank allows for both activities.
Juli suggests that guardians consider hydrotherapy at the first signs of arthritis, but stresses that hydrotherapy by itself is not enough. “Walks are important for a dog with arthritis because the more a dog keeps moving, the better it is for their joints. Movement causes blood flow, which causes joint lubrication, which keeps them more comfortable overall.” But she also cautions: “An older dog should never return from a walk exhausted. You want dogs to come back from their walks feeling strong. Two shorter walks are better than one long walk for older dogs.”
She also stresses the importance of weight control because more body weight is harder on a dog’s joints. “Even getting just a few pounds off can make a huge difference in how comfortable they are,” she says.
Hydrotherapy clients must have a referral from their veterinarian, but don’t be surprised if your vet isn’t familiar with using aquatic therapy to treat arthritis as it’s a fairly new application.
Lynda emphasizes that while her dog is not acting like a two year old again, he is feeling significantly better and enjoying life more. “Sully’s attitude has improved; he’s more like his old self. He’s even started playing with his toys again. We feel so good for our poor old dog,” she says.
Where to Go for Hydrotherapy:
The Sams Clinic, Mill Valley
www.andrewsamsclinic.com
(415) 380-0500
Animal Care Center, Rohnert Park
www.accsonoma.com
(707) 584-4343
Tails of Marin appears every Saturday in the Home & Garden section of the Marin Independent Journal
