treatments available at healing hounds
Hydrotherapy - The Underwater Treadmill
What is hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is the use of water to help improve movement, aid in pain relief and general wellbeing.
There are many benefits to hydrotherapy and dogs often respond well to having this type of treatment. Canines suffering from arthritis or those recovering from orthopaedic surgeries can attend sessions. Dogs needing to lose weight or those with neurological conditions are also welcome. Hydrotherapy can improve fitness in working or competing dog’s.
Although the underwater treadmill is generally a simple piece of equipment it can show fantastic results. Allowing muscles to function sooner than they would on land. This is due to several key properties of water which are provided by the underwater treadmill.
Buoyancy - the upward thrust of water. This decreases the weight being put through the limbs.
Viscosity - the density of water. This is the resistance of flow. It provides stability as well as encouraging limbs to push through the water.
Hydrotherapy - The benefits
- Pain management - the climate controlled heated water helps reduce inflammation.
- Improves range of movement - Gentle guided placement of limbs.
- Supportive mobility - recumbent patients are supported by the warm water.
- Improved circulation.
- Supports injured limbs - the boyancy of the water helps take extra pressure out of painful limbs, whilst enabling movement and muscle strengthening to happen.
- Mental Health benefits - Dogs with very little ability to walk outside can feel a sense of enjoyment being supported by the water and therapist, improving general demeanour.
Veterinary Physiotherapy
Veterinary Physiotherapy treatments at Healing Hounds aim to restore and maintain mobility, function, performance and independence for your four-leggedfriend. Which is achieved through our physiotherapists scientific and clinical knowledge to provide a gentle and caring approach to the treatment and rehabilitation of your pet.
Physiotherapy can help with a variety of conditions such as:
• Cruciate ligament injury
• Elbow or Hip dysplasia
• Patella luxation
• Soft tissue injuries
• Fracture repairs
• Osteoarthritis
• Neurological conditions
• Muscle imbalance or weakness
• General well being
What’s included?
All sessions include a thorough background and history of your pet, followed by a full assessment for the therapist to see how your dog stands and moves and how their soft tissues and joints feel. Then they can begin to conduct a tailored treatment plan which may include the following as required: massage, stretching, remedial exercises and heat therapy. Laser therapy and hydrotherapy can also be used in conjunction to give your pet maximum benefit.
The benefits of physiotherapy are endless- but to name a few:
• Improves joint range of motion• Promotes joint health • Decreases pain • Improves muscle tissue and muscle strength • Reduces anxiety and stress• Improves quality of life
Laser Therapy
Laser (also known as Photobiomodulation) is a non-invasive, pain free therapy which can be used to treat a variety of conditions. Many pets find this treatment relaxing and some will even drift off to sleep.
Laser can target deep into tissues to speed up healing processes and relive discomfort, which is particularly beneficial in wound healing, arthritis management and in soft tissue injuries. This means that laser can effectively aid the body to repair itself, providing more comfort to your pet and in some cases give them that spring back in their step.
Laser therapy is a targeted treatment, meaning specific joints, areas of discomfort or compensatory change can be directly treated, as based on the individual needs of your pet.
Treatment is relatively quick and can often be completed in a half hour session and can be used in conjunction with physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. Initially a course of laser is recommended for your pet to get the best benefit.
At Healing Hounds, we have a class 3b omega laserwith two different treatment probes. Class 3b lasers can give the a dosage of light required for therapeutic intervention. During treatment both the therapist and the owner will be required to wear protective goggles.
Nurse Clinics
Registered Veterinary Nurses are a brilliant source of advice.
Healing Hounds Is so proud to be able to offer clinics that are run but Registered Veterinary Nurses. This include:
- Nail Clipping cat, dog or rabbit.
- Medication Application .For example ear cleaning, applying flea/worm treatment, Malaseb bathing etc
- Weight clinics - giving advice on how to reduce your pets weight. Guidance on mobility.
- Emptying Anal Glands - some dogs need assistance with this.