It is very rewarding to see the benefits that hydrotherapy can bring in many cases. For example, a dog may have had surgery to repair a broken bone or ruptured ligament but is still reluctant weeks later to use the affected leg. When practised by experienced individuals hydrotherapy allows the dog to begin a carefully monitored and controlled treatment programme. Over a number of sessions the dog can begin to use the affected joint, improve mobility, regain muscle tone and return to pre operative fitness level and normal use of the leg.

It is therefore of use in many orthopaedic conditions both pre-operatively to improve muscle tone to affected limbs (for instance, prior to total hip replacement) and post-operatively to improve repair (for instance in post-operative care of cruciate ligament rupture, osteochondrosis or fracture repair where light swimming can begin as soon as the sutures have been removed). Preliminary observations suggest that hydrotherapy, if initiated early in the course of disease, can maintain muscle tone in cases of degenerative radiculomyelopathy (CDRM) and other neurological diseases with similar presenting signs. In show dogs and racing dogs, it provides and effective means of maintaining fitness, particularly in the winter months, and is a valuable aid to weight control in the obese patient.

There is no one set programme and each hydrotherapy session will be tailored to an individual dog's condition and fitness level - for these reasons it is advisable to consult your veterinary surgeon prior to treatment. Hydrotherapy pools can vary significantly in their size and facilities available and it's a good idea to inspect the facilities prior to your first session.

Do not be concerned about the length of time your dog is able to swim in the early stages. It is more important to assess the fitness level of your dog and the best hydrotherapy technique and to build on this in each subsequent session. It is also important that treatment programmes and progress made is recorded in detail and this information is made available to your veterinary surgeon.

There is an enormous amount of case history and glowing customer testimonials on the benefits that hydrotherapy has brought to their dog's condition and overall well-being. There is a lack of formal study and scientific data and one of the aims of the CHA is to promote such work in the near future.