How Hydrotherapy Works?

In the Hydrotherapy pool, the buoyancy of the water enables dogs that are in pain walking on land to use their limbs more freely. This helps them to increase muscle tone and to make their day-to-day lives on land easier and less painful.

The water is heated to a therapeutic 28-30 degrees Celsius, helping to relax muscles and relieve stiffness in the joints. If massage is to be used it will be integrated within the session once the heat of the water has relaxed the joints.

The water in the pool is constantly filtered and tested 3 times daily to ensure that it is perfectly safe for your dog to enjoy. Hydrotherapy is also a beneficial pre-operative, for example before a hip replacement, when muscle tone can be improved around the affected joints to aid recovery after surgery. Hydrotherapy is also an excellent, fun and safe form of exercise for a healthy dog wanting to maintain a good level of cardiovascular fitness or needing a little weight management – This can also be provided with a full nutritional plan.

For dogs with more serious mobility problems, we take it at their pace, monitor them carefully and can adapt programmes accordingly. The spa, after swimming, is the perfect place to relax stiff muscles and joints and boost circulation.

Please fill in your contact details to arrange an appointment & we will obtain Veterinary consent for your dogs’ massage or hydrotherapy, whether it be for fun, fitness or rehabilitation!

What conditions can be improved by canine hydrotherapy?

There are many conditions and reasons that a dog can benefit from canioe hydrotherapy, some of them including:

What happens at the first session?

The first session will be up to 45 minutes long and it will involve your dog getting used to the environment and us. Don’t worry if your dog is not keen on the water they will be introduced slowly and can enjoy it in a safe, warm and clean environment. If you would prefer your dog not to take to the water then we can discuss the possibility of the benefits of just massage.

We will discuss the reasons for treatment and the ultimate aim of the treatment including the amount of advised sessions during the introductory session.

The session will include the following:

•  Your Hydrotherapist will carry out a general health check and then take specific muscle mass measurements of your dog, including their weight.
•  Your dog will then receive a warm shower and be fitted with either a buoyancy aid or a harness, depending on their capabilities.
•  Your dog will be introduced to the water on their first session for a very short period of time with the hydrotherapist in the water, so that we can assess their range of movement and level of fitness.
•  After the hydrotherapy session, your dog will walk around the pool, so we can check movement. They then have a warm shower and be thoroughly towelled and blow dried by the hydrotherapist. It is important to us that we spend the drying process with your dog, so that we can assess the effects of the session.

Please bring your own towels.Other than that, we will do everything for you from start to finish, so that you can relax and enjoy a hot drink. Accurate records are kept for each session so that we can continually assess how your dog is doing. It is essential that your dog has a warm place to rest following treatment, to maximise the benefits. We also advise that a coat is used for travelling home in – you can purchase these from us or bring your own.

Subsequent Sessions.

Subsequent sessions are up to 45 minutes long. We will always discuss the previous session, any progress made and the general demeanour of the dog on the day of the swim. This will all be considered, and the swimming time/method altered accordingly.

If you have any further questions, then please do not hesitate to contact us.

The K9 Pad Limited acknowledges and respects the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and Exemption Order 2015 by never working upon an animal without gaining prior veterinary approval.