FAQs

There are some instances where we cannot put your dog in the tank, for example, if your dog has a deep laceration or skin infection, putting them in the tank will not only increase risk of infection for your dog but may also contaminate the water putting other dogs at risk. This is also the case if your dog has experienced any diarrhoea or vomiting close to the session. Similarly if your dog comes in and is experiencing difficulty breathing, it would not be appropriate to put them in the tank and ask them to exercise, so I always have to make sure your dog is suitable for hydrotherapy that day, even if they have been doing it for a long time. 

This is a difficult question to answer, as every dog is different. I will discuss treatment plans with you at your initial consultation but generally speaking we see the best changes in muscle mass with 10-12 weeks of weekly hydrotherapy sessions. However some dogs you will see changes in quicker and others might need more consistent sessions for longer. Those with chronic conditions might benefit from hydrotherapy long term, however the intervals between their sessions can be altered and discussed depending on what suits them.

If your dog is carrying fleas then I ask to please not bring them to the hydrotherapy clinic, there are many dogs in and out of the clinic day to day and I would not like to risk spreading fleas between them. Please ensure your dog is up-to-date with their flea treatments but leave a gap of 3 days between spot on treatments and hydrotherapy.

I've treated many dogs who initially come in scared of water and eventually come to even enjoy their sessions. The aquatic treadmill is very different than any other water they might have encountered so far, they won't be swimming, their feet will always be on the floor, and I will always introduce the water very slowly, so that they aren't overwhelmed by it. Sometimes it might take a few sessions before your dog gets into the swing of the treadmill, and that is absolutely fine! The more comfortable they are, the more they will benefit from their sessions, so I'd always rather take things slowly and get them as relaxed as possible.