Hydrotherapy is a form of non-weight bearing exercise utilising the therapeutic properties of water. Here at House of Hydro the water is maintained at the optimum temperature (28-32⁰c) and is kept clean and sanitised allowing your dog to swim and receive treatment in the perfect environment.
Hydrotherapy can be useful for many reasons, not only helping sick or injured dogs, but also building up confidence and enjoyment in the water. It will help improve a dog’s range of motion and allow the strengthening of muscle mass. All cases are treated differently and the individual dog will have a different response. Some will enjoy swimming freely in the water, whilst others may simply enjoy the experience of being held and floating. The underwater treadmill allows partial weight bearing and the warm water can be a great reliever of pain and inflammation.
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Each dog will have an individual programme designed and tailored to their needs; allowing them to improve their range of motion, increase strength, muscle mass, flexibility and increase their cardiovascular fitness. A qualified hydrotherapist will always be in the pool or treadmill, alongside your dog, who will be fitted with a buoyancy aid until the hydrotherapist feels your dog may no longer require one. At this point in the process with us, your dog will then be fitted with a harness, enabling the hydrotherapist to support your dog when required.
Benefits of Hydrotherapy:
Your dog’s initial consultation will take approximately 1h 15mins and cost a one off payment of £95 inc VAT.
House of Hydro will discuss your dog’s history, fitness and any medical conditions or veterinary treatments they are receiving. It is important for you and your dog to take a look around and become familiar with this new environment. A photograph and/or video of your dog both walking on land and if suitable in the water will be taken at this time. Within this session your dog may also be placed on a Pulse electronic magnetic field therapy (PEMF) mat.
(Please advise us if you have a cardiac pacemaker, cancer or may be pregnant.)
After the consultation has finished and the hydrotherapist is happy there are no contraindications, your dog will have their first experience of the pool, underwater treadmill or K-laser therapy . Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
Your future sessions will be unique to your dog and an individual program will be developed and tailored, however the main focus will be getting your dog used to the water and enjoying their time in the pool or underwater treadmill.
Vet Consent:
A veterinary consent form is required for your dog to receive hydrotherapy or K-laser treatment. No dog will be treated without this form as it ensures the hydrotherapist has a complete picture of your dog’s condition, behaviour, clinical history and any cautions or contraindications for hydrotherapy or K-laser. Please be aware that your dog may not enter the pool or underwater treadmill in this Initial session, so please do not be disheartened if they don’t get in the pool the first time.
All dogs are given a warm shower before entering the pool and underwater treadmill. This not only helps the dogs muscles to warm up, but also ensures the quality of the water remains high.
Following a session your dog will again be showered off, removing the chlorinated water. A shampoo will be applied if requested.
Dogs are dried with an “EasiDri” grooming towel, which absorbs the water quickly from their coats. We can then put on their drying robe if they have one to maintain heat.
"House of Hydro has been brought about by a passion and belief in the benefits of Canine Hydrotherapy"
Our purpose built 6m x 4m hydrotherapy pool, has integrated ramps, both external and internal, together with a resting platform, all of which are covered with anti-slip matting. The heated pool creates a relaxing and therapeutic environment for your dog to swim. This non-weight bearing exercise can be recorded and shared with your vet, if requested.
Introduction to water is so important. NOT all dogs can swim and NOT all dogs like water or “being thrown in at the deep end”. Here at House of Hydro your dog will be introduced to the water at their own pace and encouraged by the therapist to build up their confidence.
Buoyance aids and harnesses are provided and will be fitted correctly by the hydrotherapist. This ensures your dog’s experience within our centre is a positive and confident one.
We house a HydroPhysio Underwater Treadmill. It’s walk through design and 360° viewing angle allows for accurate analysis of limb sequence by our qualified therapists. We are able to control the water level, speed of the belt and duration to target intricate muscle groups and build muscle mass. The low weight bearing environment allows for increased proprioception and gait re-education. The controlled exercise is ideal for patients who have recently undergone surgery or have a neurological condition.
At House of Hydro, we believe in using the properties of water to rehabilitate. Both hydrotherapy in a pool and underwater treadmill utilise this and can achieve targeted results, working together. Therefore, our patients may use both hydrotherapy facilities in their treatment programmes with us, all guided by our qualified therapists.
