Animal Chronicles
Hydrotherapy: Walking in water to relieve pain
by Sheri Cardo
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.
Elaine Sichel’s dog, K.D., turned 13 in January and promptly injured her hind end. Up until that point, this large Great Dane mix had been walking an hour a day on just a small dose of Rimadyl. But now she could hardly move. Elaine took her straight to an orthopedist who recommended hydrotherapy as part of her recovery plan. Twice a week, K.D. did two 10-minute walks on the underwater treadmill at the Animal Care Center in Rohnert Park — the equivalent of twice as much walking on land. After just a couple sessions, Elaine saw dramatic improvement.
“I could see it in her face. It was no longer tense, tight and worried. Dogs in pain start lacking confidence,” she says. “She quickly became more relaxed and gained her confidence back.”
Now, after two months of regular hydrotherapy sessions, Elaine says, “She’s stronger than before she got hurt because she’s building muscle.” Even though K.D. has recovered from her injury, Elaine plans to continue the hydrotherapy as part of K.D.’s wellness regime.
Lynda Miller of Novato is equally 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.”
“Within his first two sessions, he was moving more easily and wanting to go for his walks again,” she says. “He also did his first play bow in three years!”
Both Elaine and Lynda emphasize that their dogs are not acting like two year olds again, but that they are 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,” says Lynda.
How does hydrotherapy work?
Juli Dell’Era, RVT, is the certified canine rehabilitation practitioner at the Animal Care Center who provides the hydrotherapy treatments. She describes hydrotherapy as being one very important component of helping a dog with arthritis, the other components generally 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 further joint degeneration — or at least slow down the process.
“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.”
When a dog loses range of motion, he or she 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.
If the 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 them to come back from their walks feeling strong.”
Toward that end, Juli suggests that clients increase the frequency of walks while decreasing the duration. In other words, instead of one 30-minute walk with your older dog, consider two to three 10–15-minute walks.
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.
My senior dogs have also benefited greatly from hydrotherapy and, with my younger dogs, I plan to introduce it into their routine much earlier. As Elaine says, “Not only is hydrotherapy increasing the quality of my dog’s life, I believe she’ll live longer because of it.” I think she’s absolutely right.
Sheri Cardo is the MHS public information director.
Links:
Animal Care Center
The Andrew Sams Clinic
