Not Exclusively for Bi-peds (Hydrotherapy)

Member Name: aefra

Product:	Hydrotherapy
Date:	04/10/03 (187 review reads)
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Advantages: as review

Disadvantages: none

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br>Those of us who keep animal companions can only hope that they live long full lives and then die in their sleep. Our loss would at least be tempered by the knowledge that their time has come full circle and there is natural completeness. Unfortunately this seldom happens and we may be left with a decision which can never leave us with anything but the question whether our timing was right.

Should terminal illness strike that judgement is more or less made for us, but infirmity in old age means that we may have to make a choice for friends who would be otherwise healthy. For this reason I am paranoid about the skeletal and muscular well being of my elderly horse and 15 year old jack russell terrier. With the aid of a Bioflow collar for Jody and similar boots for my horse as well as glucosamine, I have managed to keep ahead ot things. What I was not to know was that it is possible to be a little too successful.

Jody and I both forget that we are no longer athletes and in moments of carelessness have accidents. So it was that when Jody took a flying leap over a narrow ditch in the woods near my home, she hit the higher edge of the other side and landed - with an appalling shock to her legs and wind - upright in the bottom. Unable to stand or move when I fished her out, I thought she had gone into shock and rushed her to the vet. It seemed that she was badly bruised and winded, but anti-inflammatories soon had her right. It was two weeks later that she began to have stiffness when rising from rest and an almost undectable limp on a foreleg. Because she had appeared to recover from a forgotten incident, my fears set in and I spent each day sadly believing that her age was beating my attentions while vainly trying to keep her going. Just to be sure I returned to my vet, more to ask if he knew of a dog chiropractor than anything.

It seems that daily glucosamine had been so successful that neither Jody nor I we
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aware that she had arthritis in her fore as well as hindquarters and the accident had exacerbated it. Indeed it had caused damage to her shoulder. Simon, my vet, prescibed an anti-inflammatory drug and asked if I had thought of hydrotherapy. In fact I had but could not find one advertised locally. Simon told me that as soon as the inflammation to Jody's shoulder had eased he would give me a letter for a hydropherapy pool which, unknown to myself, is actually in my village.

Hydrotherapy is the use of water to treat a variety of diseases and is particularly beneficial for muscular, joint and skeletel problems. Warm water allows the nerves to send signals deeper into the body from the skin, with a resultant improvement in blood circulation and the hormones which aid the immune system. The boyancy of water also reduces the weight of the body, permitting a level of exercise which in some cases would not otherwise be possible. It has been proved to be of great help in the recovery of paralysed dogs.

I was full of anticipation as Jody was always an exceptionally strong swimmer and has tasted the delights of the Moray Firth, Glen Affric and fast running burns in Northumberland. My previously action girl would have a high old time in a swimming pool. After a telephone conversation in which Sarah the pool owner and therapist asked me a lot of questions about my little dog, we arrived complete with vet's letter for our first session. Here I would like to stress that your therapist should be a member of The Canine Hydrotherapy Association whose self-regulation sets standards of training, treatment, pool quality and record keeping among other important factors. I am lucky that Sarah is a founder member of the CHA.

The rectangular pool is a small version of that we use when swimming ourselves, and the water is very warm indeed as well as chlorinated. Since it is also 4' deep a large dog would be w
ell accommodated and the owner may also swim beside the patient Attached from the roof are three straps joined at the bottom with a swivel fastener which clips on to a harness worn by the dog. Jody was fitted with a buoyancy aid rather like a little life jacket and introduced gently to the water, before being clipped on the stabilising straps. She immediately began to swim with the freedom to move a few feet. We could see at once where weaknesses were and one hind leg was just moving passively. Just 2 1/2 minutes, a rest out of the pool and a further 2 1/2 minutes comprised Jody's first session, before being removed again from the pool, the chlorine wiped off with a chamois cloth and then dried with a towel. I have found no effects from the chlorine on her coat. Meanwhile Sarah was talking to me about my dog's problems and advising, while explaining how the sessions would progress. She told me that it was important that although my dog may appear to be adrenaline driven when she arrived home, I must not take her out for any more exercise that day as the benefits to her damaged shoulder would be lost.

Jody's second session increased the swimming time to 7 minutes with a break half way and to my amazement the previously weaker hind leg was already moving far more powerfully. She was clearly enjoying herself and a soft rubber ball was floated towards her which she gripped tightly in her mouth during the entire session. She had appeared to be drinking the water, but I think she was just grinning with pleasure. It reminded me of my own scuba diving lessons when I was told that my big smile underwater was the reason why I had water entering my mouth. Before she was lifted out Sarah unclipped her and pushed her to the far end of the pool and asked me to call her. This was just for a fun finish. Jody's swim towards me was enthusiastic to say the least and I have a feeling that if Sarah hadn't pulled her out, she wo
uld have happily swum another circuit or two. Just like old times! A good shake which sprayed water in our direction, a dry off and a couple of dog biscuits for being a good girl and another session was over.

As things progress, Jody will lose the buoyancy aid and only wear a simple harness which will cause her to work a little harder. The third session proved more than gratifying as Jody swam for 9 minutes, resting half way through, was holding herself completely straight in the water and all four legs pumped strongly and evenly. For a few moments additional jets were turned on which increased the water heat and gave extra power for Jody to swim against. It is hoped that Jody will eventually swim for a full 15 minutes and already after her fifth session she is swimming for 9 minutes (6 mins and 3mins) and is well ahead of expectations.

As a member of the CHA, Sarah keeps records of Jody's progress, updated at each session. I did sign a disclaimer accepting responsibility, but this treatment is only available at Vet's referral and Simon would not have given me the letter I needed without knowledge of Jody's own records and his own satisfaction that her general health was acceptable.

The benfits of hydrotherapy go beyond additional toning of muscle, which will take a little while yet. Heart and lungs are also exercised which aids circulation and with it the body's defences. After each treatment, Jody's well-being is obvious and her new habit of spending time sleeping in the mellowness of old age is decreasing with it. In fact my day on the computer is now interrupted frequently in order to oblige my little dog's demands for a toy to be thrown.

I pay £10 for each visit which lasts approximately half an hour. These will be reduced very soon from three a week to two then only one, although I intend to keep going twice a week. Since my therapist's experience tells me that pat
ients tend to come off the Metacam anti-inflammatory drug prescribed this will offset the cost. I have already reduced the dose of medication to a minute amount and am only giving her this until my next check-up with the vet confirms it is no longer needed. Added to this, my monthly visits to the vet should cease for this particular problem.

The hydrotherapy pool I am using is about to move to new premises and Jody will then start her treatment with a spa. The hot jacuzzi will warm and relax the muscles, acting as a "work out" before swimming starts. The luxury of shampoing facilities afterwards will also be available and this will be 5 star doggy treatment indeed.

Veterinerary surgeons are endorsing hydrotherapy and Sarah is very busy with the referrals from local surgeries. The number of pools are increasing nationally and your own vet should hopefully know of one should you ask. I cannot know what may be in store with Jody's health, but with a close eye on my friend's diet and weight, appropriate exercise and regular hydrotherapy I hope I am keeping her happily active for the time she has left. That is my gift of thanks to a loyal friend.

UPDATE

It is now 10 weeks since Jody had her first hydrotherapy session. Although she has no need of more than 1 swim per week I am keeping her to 2 as she enjoys it so much. She is now swimming for a full 15 minutes against a warm jet. Not only has the damaged front leg fully recovered, but there is a clear line of muscle visible on her hind quarters and shoulders. Best of all are the things I am seeing that I thought had gone forever. Not only is she running me ragged on the farm, albeit for the short time of 20 minutes a time the vet prefers, but on coming home grabs her fluffy catapillar, races upstairs and I can hear her thundering around the bedrooms before dashing down again and racing around the lower rooms, somehow managing to turn before crash
ing into things at full speed. I had hardly noticed that Jody had almost stopped barking at the door bell to alert me, but once again visitors are reminded that a dog is in the house. All in all this has been the most successful remedy I have tried to keep my little old girl fit and running. Now it just remains for me to start fitness swimming again so that I may keep up with her.

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