Hey all.

Flo is off to hydrotherapy tomorrow for her introductory swim- very short session to get her used to the idea and to take it easy on her hips.

I know to take a towel but what else? The therapist will be in there with her, and will talk to me about the sessions when i get there- ie- what plan we are going to stick to etc..

Thanks :)

Hi, chrisjack.  Our dog had to have hydrotherapy after a bad cruciate ligament injury, in order to re-build the muscle strength and, just as critical, give him back the confidence he had lost in using his leg.

He'd never been near water that deep or in such a strange environment, but he was
dropped into the (Circular) pool with a safety harness attached to a centrally-mounted overhead frame, which allowed the dog to swim in a circular fashion.

It seemed a bit alarming to us at first, but it was actually a very controlled environment, and the man knew exactly what he was doing.  The dog immediately began to swim like mad, using all four legs.  He also thoroughly enjoyed himself, so much so that when we went back a week later for the next session, he was excited with anticipation.  He quickly got back to using the leg after the therapy.  I can heartily recommend it!

All we needed to take with us was a towel and a brush, any other needs were catered for by the facility itself.  I don;t know where you are based but the place we went to was inear Ashford in Kent.  Details are on the attached link: 

http://www.ransleykennels.co.uk/RansleyBrochure.pdf

Even if they're no where near you, you can always give them a call for a bit of info.

Hope this helps:

JP

thanks for that!

well we wont be putting flo in a hoist lift- she will have a boyancy (sp) jacket on and will be walked in with the lady- shes a adpt trainer and therapist- shes fab!

i feel if she is just shoved in with no self control she will scream and not enjoy it at all, due to her bone disease- we have to be careful so we dont make the remaining hip joint worse. at the moment the top of the right femur is pressing against skin as theres barely any muscle left. so we will go steady..

thankyou x

Puglet has moderately sever problems with both back legs/hip joints, and moderate problems with the front end too.  She has being having hydro for about 2 years and loves it :)  She wears a float jacket, and sometimes the therapist is in the water with her, soemtimes just walks round the outside of the pool with her.  She has short swims ( 2min.  sessions with 5 min breaks).  She is allowed to take a toy with her, if she wants.  This encouraged her to swim on her own - she can now do a horizontal width of the pool wihtout any outside help at all! 

We take a towel, and she has a towelling bath robe too, to snuggle in on the journey home.  I also take a camera :)And dont wear shoes that will be adversley affected by water, as things can get very dmap in the pool area!  Hope you both enjoy it.

bye
Gwen

Well- it all went great! She was very quiet as it was all very new to her, she had a nose about then we put the jacket on.
Gail sat in the pool and put flo on her knee, then eased her in. She swam for a minute then rested for a bit, then went back etc. She kept tucking her back legs up, but slowly she started to use them.

Next week will be much more fun for her as it wont be as alien!

mags x

ps- she is now in deep sleep buried under her blankie in crate, probably sleep till dinner time, dogs life eh?xxx

Hi, I would like to do this with my pup. She doeasn't have any problems but I think it would be fun for her and preventative.

I clicked on the link as this is very close to us but the website doesn't mention anything about hydro treatment?

Hi TTtatty, I found a pool at the Canine Hydrotherapy Association website http://www.k9hydrotherapy.co.uk/

Thanks will check that site!

Hi Mags!

I think we met at Gails on Friday! I had the Hamiltonstovare...who went for a fun swim. I will be back next Friday with two!! Trude was frightend by a car accident so I am hoping this will help with her confidence.

See you next week!! ;-)

Pam and Hounds

I only have to take Alfs towelling bathrobe and fleece for on the way home, the unit supply the towels - and the treats !! as soon as Alf comes out of the pool he goes straight into the office where he knows the treats are kept, but he only eats the gravy bones - everything else gets spat back out :rolleyes:

Hey Pam! how wierd? was wondering when i'd bump into some one on here from my area!

Did he enjoy it in the end- great pool, and gails fab too dont ya reckon?

I hope Trude will settle alright, your boy is gorgeous ;) btw

see you next friday then-

Mags and Flo xx

Hi Mags!

Yep we really enjoyed it too! and yes Gail did a fab job, that`s one of the reasons I decided to bring Trude along this Friday.

Look forward to seeing you there

Nice to meet you. Flo looks gorgeous too ;-)

Pam and Hounds xx

ooh- whereabouts are you from? im originally from llanidloes but now at newtown? just wondering incase you have to travel far? takes me about 20 mins!excellent to have a facility so close.

Hi Mags!

I live not far from "Harry Tuffins Supermarket" in Churchstoke LOL! If you go into my profile page on my user name at Champdogs you can link on to my website :-). Takes me around 35 to 40 minutes to Gails

Pam and Hounds xx