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Hydrotherapy

Greyfriars has a hydrotherapy pool and water treadmill – which allows us the flexibility to choose the most suitable hydrotherapy treatment for our patients.

Our initial choice will be based on our knowledge and experience and be influenced by your pet’s general health, surgical treatment or injury. We also take into account the breed, size and behaviour of your dog or cat and adjust hydrotherapy treatments accordingly. For some conditions, such as hip dysplasia, we find a combination of pool and water treadmill can give very successful results.

The hydrotherapy team is overseen by our Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioners and ACPAT Chartered Physiotherapists. All members of the team are Registered Canine Hydrotherapists with NARCH. This means we work to the highest ethical and care standards in the UK and you can be sure that the member of staff looking after your pet is well trained, qualified and experienced.

Hydrotherapy pool

• 10 x 5 metres – one of the largest in the UK
• Size allows relaxed natural behaviour and motivation
• Allows early rehabilitation where reduced weight bearing or load on joints is important – post surgery or injury
• Resting and treatment platforms allow physiotherapy treatment and massage in the pool
• Heated to 29-30 degrees C – relaxing and pain relieving
• Swim jets – for neurological input or to increase effort, build muscle and cardiovascular fitness

Water treadmill

• Allows observation and filming from all sides
• Allows early rehabilitation for spinal injury/surgery patients
• Hydrotherapists can be hands on to aid correct gait
• Water height can be adjusted to decrease/increase weight bearing
• Water height can be adjusted to achieve movements we require
• Speed and duration can be adjusted to achieve optimal gait
• Useful for dogs that are nervous about swimming

Hydrotherapy can be used to

• Decrease pain
• Increase sensory perception
• Relax muscle tension or spasm
• Reduce oedema (swelling)
• Increase joint range of movement
• Increase muscle bulk, strength and tone
• Improve muscle patterning and recruitment – extremely important for spinal injury dogs learning to walk again
• Prevent secondary complications as a result of limb disuse, muscle contracture, gait abnormalities
• Help earlier return to normal life or work – important for assistance or police dogs
• Slow the progression of the effects of degenerative disease – including osteoarthritis and degenerative myelopathy
• Improve quality of life – especially for older or disabled dogs

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