Hydrotherapy

Case Study - Gus Has Hydrotherapy

Gus is our beautiful German Shepherd. He is around 10 years old and is now very settled in to life here at Freshfields Animal Rescue.

Gus is happy here, he has lots of friends who love taking him for walks and he thinks all the sofa's in his room are just great to relax on!

We decided Gus would really benefit for hydrotherapy in July 2008 after we noticed how stiff and sore his legs seemed to be. Our vet confirmed that he was suffering from quite severe arthritis of the elbows. He now receives medication which is monitored weekly. Unusually Gus does not seem to be suffering from hip dysplasia which is very common in German Shepherds.

Gus was lucky enough to be 'buddied' up with kennel staff member Chris. Chris has been able to make sure that Gus attends hydrotherapy at least twice a week. He has now been going for nearly a year and the benefits to Gus have been incredible.

Gus's first session at hydro was more of an introduction where by he was able to get use to this totally new experience. He began by doing swims of 1.5 minutes followed by a break, then a another swim of 1.5 minutes. This may not sound like much but it was very important that Gus did not do to much to soon. Gus was ecstatic to be in the water and, left to his own devices, it would have been likely he'd have become over confident and strained himself.

Gus is now swimming for 5 minutes then having a very short break where he comes out of the water and has his pulse checked. He then continues to swim for 5 minutes. This continues under close supervision so he does not become over tired.

Hydrotherapy has made a huge difference to Gus's life. We fear his health is deteriorating in kennels but in the water he comes to life. He is able to extend his limbs to their full length,  his muscles tone is greatly improved and he has become a very strong swimmer. We have been fortunate enough to find an extremely caring and understanding hydrotherapy center where our dogs are cared for in a very professional manner. Standards at this center are high which means the time our dogs spend there is even better.

Gus can sense when he is due to go to hydro. He can't contain his excitement at seeing Chris and loves getting in to our van for the journey to his favorite place.

You can see Gus swimming here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVXs7hS7Njw  (3/09)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-9_-nHhJME  (10/08)

Please support our hydrotherapy program by making a donation to the charity. You can do this by clicking on the donate button at the top of every page, by contacting the centre direct or by posting in a cheque. We will be very grateful for every donation however small.

Gus is still desperately looking for his own special home. Please read more about Gus here...

 http://www.freshfieldsrescue.org.uk/index.php/animals/detail/gus/

Max makes a SPLASH!

Derived from the Greek word meaning water healing hydrotherapy is a controlled aquatic exercise in heated sanitized water.

It is of great value to certain of our older long term rescues and this comes about through the effects of the warmth and pressure of the water and the buoyancy this provides.

There are many benefits including:

• Exercise without bearing weight
• Mobilisation of joints
• Promotes relaxation
• Relief from pain, swelling and stiffness
• Strengthening, maintenance and restoration of muscle tone
• Range of motion of affected joints increased
• Improvement in circulation
• Cardiovascular fitness (heart and lungs)

Muscles are relaxed by the warmth of the water which initiates an expansion of surface blood vessels.  Increasing the skin temperature can also bring about a decrease in pain and muscle spasm. Pain, swelling or stiffness often results in a decreased range of motion. Stiffness can be eased as the warmth of the water causes blood vessels to expand.

A reduction in swelling can be assisted by the hydrostatic pressure of water causing a bodily fluid movement away from the affected area instead of to it. Exercising the limb to increase this enhances the circulation. Buoyancy decreases the loading onto weight bearing joints, provides assitance with balance and removes the impact associated with walking on dry land. Pain is therby reduced and easier movement may be allowed with minimal exercise.

Hydrotherapy has a whole variety of uses some of which include:-

Muscle building and toning, prior to surgery. This can be effective without further damage to affected joints etc. Sometimes in certain cases the building up of muscle before surgery may reduce the dog’s rehabilitation time post surgery.

Post-operative rehabilitation for many conditions can be greatly assisted by hydrotherapy. Examples include hip replacement, cruciate repair, OCD, hip and elbow dysplasia.

Treatment may also be beneficial in cases of arthritis, spondylosis, CDRM, nerve damage, muscle, tendon and ligament injuries.

Tackling obesity through non weight bearing exercise.

The common effects to stamina of old age and perhaps arthritis, can greatly benefit from hydrotherapy treatment. General fitness and muscle tone may be lost and weight gained due to the decreased level of exercise that they can cope with. Joints are exercised more easily, through greater movement via the non-weight bearing work in the pool, with less pain, therefore building general fitness and muscle tone.

A number of Freshfields dogs have benefited from hydrotherapy and the generous support of Julie, owner of local hydrotherapy centre Belmont K9 Hydrotherapy Unit in Skelmersdale Lancashire (as can be bourne out by the happy evidence of Bull Mastiff Max, pictured). You can visit Julies website at www.hydroswim.co.uk .

Freshfields are lucky enough to employ our own part time veterinarians, as all case are taken on by referal only.

We do require your continued support however to help us make life easier for some of our older, long term residents...and to inject a little FUN into their lives also!