Can anyone explain to me how hydrotherapy helps a cruciate ligament sprain. I understand about keeping the muscles working while the dog can't exercise properly, and keeping the weight down, but does it have a direct benifit to the ligament.
I have asked the lady at hydrotherapy but she is so enthusiastic about her subject (which is good) that she ends up not really answering the question as she goes into so much detail

Nina a member on here is getting her dog treated at moment so maybe she will be able to help you.
Only input I have is exercise in water is beneficial as it is supporting the limb but exercises at same time but have not got much of a clue as never had a dog treated

We have a new member that is a hydro therapist, so I thought I would bump this in the hope that she will see it

The basic principle is swimming in warm water relaxes the muscle and allows the animal to move affected area as freely as pos so as to maintain muscle mass and build it back up so as to support the affected joint.
The other affect is that when the muscles are in use it increases blood flow to the area, this is essential in the recovary process as a good blood flow not only helps tissues regenerate more more quickly but helps break down and disperse the damaged tissues.
The sad fact is that when a joint becomes damaged wether through degenerative, hereditory disease or trauma you cannot reverse what has been done but you can help support the animal by trying to maintain muscle mass and pos through the use of joint supplements.

Another after thought re hydro...if an animal has an operation very often its quite painful and dif to move post op, so the animal learns to cope and gets used to walking on 3 legs for eg pos because it is afraid to use the limb.
In the water there is so much new stuff going on (lots of dogs despite loving water panic at the first hydro session) they forget and it gets them using the limb which gives them confidence to start using it more and more in and out of water.
I always get in the pool with the dog which is great coz I can reassure them while closely monitoring the progress they make.
It also makes it a pretty fun job

Thankyou.
My boy hasn't had an operation as the strain was minor, but still 5 months on I am worried about letting him twist the joint. We are now walking several miles a day without problems but I am aware that a wrong move by him could put us back to the beginning or make it necessary to operate.
It must be a wonderful job

Gesic

I tried to send this by pm but you have run out of room for messages

Got another question for you.
My insurance is going to stop paying for hydro in September.
What do you think is the minimum amount of times that I should take Alf to hydro.
I was thinking of once a fortnight, but would this be of any benifit, and should it be once a week?
He's up to full exercise now but without running around

If he is up to full fitness then once a fortnight would be fine just remember if he has any periods of discomfort or is reluctent to excercice then u can always increase it
Just a thought.... we have a dog that attends every week (it was every day a yr ago) his insurance ran out and his vet had a word with the insurance company explaining that if it wasnt for hydro he would be claiming for more pain killers he got an extra 20 sesions paid for.

Thanks for that, he is defiantly up to fitness he keeps pestering for more and his weight is perfect, muscle tone pretty good too considering.
Unfortunately my insurance only covers each illness for 12 months so no hope of getting them to pay more