COMING SOON!
We are excited to be opening our Pet Wellness and Rehabilitation centre at 16 Walnut Road this summer. This site is just down the road (towards the Co-op) from our Torquay surgery at 34 Walnut Road, on the same side of the road.
This site will allow us to expand our existing physiotherapy, pain relief and rehabilitation services to include canine underwater treadmill hydrotherapy.
The site will also provide a lovely light, calm and spacious nurse consulting space for our existing range of nurse clinics.
What is underwater treadmill hydrotherapy?
Our underwater treadmill is a form of hydrotherapy which utilises the properties of water to provide pain relief and aid rehabilitation to your pet. Hydrotherapy is a low impact form of exercise and the buoyancy of water reduces the impact on joints. Joints or muscles which are sore will often be more comfortable in water, so we can often get improved movement compared with land-based exercises. Some post-operative conditions may be exercised in water sooner than we would start land-based exercise, due to the reduce weight bearing effect of water.
What conditions can the underwater treadmill help?
There are a number of conditions for which the vet may refer you to our ‘Pet Wellness and Rehabilitation Centre’ for hydrotherapy. These include:
Orthopaedic conditions:
- Arthritis and joint pain
- Cruciate disease/rupture
- Hip dysplasia
- Fractures
- Ligament/Tendon disorders
- Elbow dysplasia
Neurological conditions:
- Help improve co-ordination and strength
- Intervertebral disc disease (IVVD)
Other conditions:
- Muscle strengthening and conditioning
- Reduce inflammation
- Weight loss/management
- Pain relief
- Improve circulation and lymphatic drainage
- Improve proprioception
- Mental stimulation (important for patients on reduced exercise)
My pet does not like water, will they mind the treadmill?
Our nurses will spend a lot of time making sure your pet is comfortable with the machine before filling it with water. They will be patient and adapt the protocol to suit the individual patient. Some pets may be fearful of water but using the treadmill means their feet are in contact with the floor and it fills with water slowly from the bottom. This can make the treadmill less intimidating when compared with swimming.
How long will the sessions last?
Every pet’s sessions will be different. The condition being treated, your pet’s age and temperament can all play a factor in this. We will adapt the protocol to suit each pet individually.
During the initial sessions, your pet will probably spend less time in the water to begin with as these are often acclimatisation sessions. The treadmill belt will start at slower speeds to begin with, and the tank will often have more water. After a few sessions, the length of active walking and belt speed will increase, and it is possible the water level will be decreased (as your pet’s strength and their injury heals).