Animal Hydrotherapy
for Cats, Dogs, Horses (Equines), Rabbits and Other Pets
by Gina McCulloch D.C., IVCA, IEBWA
What is it?
Hydrotherapy for cats, dogs, horses (equines) and other animals is the therapeutic use of water to restore and maintain the good health of your pet.
Water can be used internally and externally for disease and trauma treatment, rehabilitation and disease and injury prevention. Used at various temperatures and with differing mineral content, water can aid the healing process for injuries and stimulate the body’s inherent healing ability.
It is often referred to as an alternative, integrative, complementary, natural and / or holistic medicine for cats, dogs, horses (equines) rabbits and other animals and pets.
How does it work?
Water can be used to cleanse your pet’s body both internally and externally. Depending on its temperature, water can be used in three forms - solid (ice), liquid (water) and gas (steam/sauna).
If taken internally by your pet (i.e. drunk), water can have a laxative (stimulates the bowels), diuretic (increases urine production and elimination), phlegmatic (increases mucus production and elimination) or diaphoretic (sweat producing) effect, depending on its mineral content.
Applied externally to your pet (either directly or via a compress) water can; decrease inflammation, improve blood and lymph circulation, increase waste removal and nutrient delivery to and from tissues, relax tense muscles, provide pain relief and aid general relaxation.
Rehabilitative treatment following injury can be undertaken in a specialised animal hydrotherapy spa unit or pool. Spa units are usually cold water to help reduce inflammation. Pools are often warmer to help decrease muscle spasm.
Movement in water is easier than on land due to the buoyancy it creates, enabling your pet to carry out non-weight bearing exercises. Exercise in water can also help increase your pet’s (e.g. cat, dog, horse, rabbit etc.) cardiovascular fitness and general health.
What can it help?
There is evidence based research and/or anecdotal evidence that Animal Hydrotherapy has helped cats, dogs, horses (equines), rabbits and other pets with:
- Abscesses
- Arthritis
- Bruises
- Bursitis
- Corns
- Dermatitis
- Desmitis
- Greasy heel
- Injury Prevention
- Injury rehabilitation
- Laminitis /Founder
- Ligament injuries
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- Mud Fever
- Open Wounds
- Rain Scald
- Shin Splints
- Skin infections
- Sprains & Strains
- Swollen joints
- Synovitis
- Tendon injuries
- Tendonitis
- Thrush
- Wind galls /puffs
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