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| Frequently
Asked Questions |
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on one of the questions below to go directly to its
answer, or scroll down the page to review all the
questions and answers. |
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| What
are the benefits for my dog? |
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The
benefits to your pet include improved quality
of life, increased range of motion, and
increased cardio-vascular performance.
Besides using hydrotherapy for rehabilitation,
these sessions are sometimes used to keep
performance dogs (field, agility,
conformation, obedience, etc.) in top physical
condition. At the same time, it ensures their
joints are kept in good working order and
proper conformation. |
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How many sessions does my dog need?
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| We start out with three sessions on three consecutive days. After this, your dog is re-evaluated to determine if further treatment is necessary. When a pet is seen within a week to ten days following surgery or an injury, a much quicker recovery can be expected. |
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| How
long does each session take?
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| Approximately 1 hour. Each session consists of working, and resting periods.
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| Why three consecutive days?
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Experience has shown three consecutive days to be the most beneficial. While
swim therapy will accelerate the healing process and produce the environment
necessary for healing, the recovery rate of the animal is limited by its own
ability to keep up with the treatment. Therefore, the natural ability and
comfort level of the animal sets the pace. Some determining factors are the
physical fitness and cardio-vascular condition of the animal.
During the first
day’s session, the animal begins to utilize muscle groups that may have not
been used in years. After the second day’s session, the animal is profoundly
relaxed, so these muscles can be exercised. In most cases, by the third day’s
session, the animal has already begun to build muscle mass. After the initial
three visits, your dog is usually much more comfortable and stable.
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Will my dog need follow-up visits?
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Many dogs do not need more than the initial three days. The therapist can evaluate whether or not more sessions would be recommended. Many dog owners will bring their dogs in regularly for "tune-ups". They find their dogs feel so good after swim sessions, they keep bringing them back for more.
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What is the facility like?
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| It is an outdoor heated pool. The temperature of the pool is 88 - 92 degrees. |
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| Why warm water? |
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Warm water has been shown to help the muscles relax while the dog is swimming.
This relaxation coupled with the dog’s movement in the water, and the aid of
the therapist, allows the dog’s body to, in a sense, adjust itself. |
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| Is the chlorine in the pool harmful to my dog? |
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| There is no chlorine used in our pool. An ozonator cleans and disinfects the water without the use of any chemicals. |
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| How does
swim therapy work? |
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This form of treatment is movement, retraining, and relaxation of the muscles all at the same time. This is important because while the dog is swimming in the pool, it is able to use full range of motion while performing a non-weight-bearing activity. Retraining of the muscles while the dog is moving in a non-weight-bearing environment is neither invasive nor a forced manipulation.
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What results can I expect to see? |
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| The results will vary according to your pet's circumstances. It is important to be realistic about your expectations. For example, an orthopedic rehabilitation on a 3-4 year old dog should be complete, whereas an older dog recovering from a stroke can be expected to be self-sufficient, though possibly limited in endurance. |
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Is it safe for my older dog?
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This sort of therapy is very effective for treatment in older dogs, but don’t wait! Bring your dog in as soon as you see any signs of difficulty such as: limping, trouble getting up, restlessness while trying to sleep (a pain indicator), difficulty going up and down stairs or getting in and out of the car. |
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| Is
this only for older dogs? |
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No.
We're seeing a lot more dogs who have been diagnosed
with hip dysplasia as early as 4-6 months of age. It
is perfectly safe to start at that age, as swimming
is a non-weight bearing activity. |
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| Should
I come in right away, or should I wait a while and
see how my dog does? |
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| The general rule of thumb is, the sooner your dog is treated, the quicker and more successful the recovery. |
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Why can't I just swim my dog myself? |
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| The swim therapist is trained in craniosacral techniques, as well as myofascial release techniques. Utilizing this knowledge, as well as training in
kinesiology, anatomy, and veterinary medicine, the therapist is able to assist the dog in its therapy sessions. |
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| What conditions do you most commonly treat?
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| The two most commonly treated symptoms are postoperative knee surgery recovery and arthritis and/or hip
dysplasia. |
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Do you recommend any supplements? |
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Many dogs can benefit from
Glycoflex, shark cartilage, glucosamine/chondroitin, and/or flaxseed oil.
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What about other types of therapy like acupuncture? |
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| This treatment works extremely well when used in conjunction with acupuncture. Swim therapy increases circulation, which makes the body very receptive to supplemental therapies. |
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My Veterinarian has recommended cage rest. Is swimming safe? |
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| Swimming is a non-weight bearing form of exercise, so it will not cause the damage that the concussion and stress of weight bearing exercise causes. Swim therapy can help the healing process by promoting circulation, and decreasing muscle atrophy. |
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How soon after surgery can I bring my dog in?
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| Most dogs will
gang the greatest benefits from swim therapy within the first week after surgery. Check with your surgeon for any recommendations that contraindicate this protocol. |
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Should I bring my dog in before surgery? |
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| Yes. It is ideal to be able to swim the dog both before and after surgery. |
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My dog is overweight. Can the swim therapy help with the weight loss my veterinarian has recommended?
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Yes, it will increase your pet's activity level and cardiovascular fitness. Combined with a properly modified diet and home exercise program, your pet should realize a healthy weight and fitness level.
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Can
you teach my dog to swim? |
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Within the three initial sessions your dog will be swimming like a fish...SPLASH!! |
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| Do I get into the pool with my
dog? |
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No. Without the proper training, it is easy to be injured by the swimming dog. |
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| Do I get to stay and watch while my dog is swimming? |
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Absolutely! We believe dogs and their owners are partners in a dog's health and recovery. We encourage owners to get involved in their dog's recovery process. |
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| Are there any conditions that you would not recommend swim therapy for? |
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The
following conditions are areas of concern when
considering this therapy:
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Heart Conditions
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Breathing Difficulties
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Chemotherapy
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Epilepsy
Notify your therapist of any of these concerns. Additionally,
the dog cannot be bleeding, either internally or externally. |
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