The Treatment Process
HydroPaws Balance and Wellness
Assessment
Understanding your dog's needs.
Process
Tailored sessions for recovery.
Supervised
Monitored for safety & comfort.
Hydrotherapy for Dogs
Dogs may face pain, reduced mobility, or muscle loss due to surgery, aging, or specific conditions. Hydrotherapy offers a gentle, supportive solution by using the unique properties of water.
By exercising in water, dogs can build muscle without strain—boosting their overall wellbeing in a safe, enjoyable environment.
The Treatment Process
Veterinary Referrals
All dogs coming for hydrotherapy treatment require a veterinary referral whether they are coming to improve their fitness or they are under medical management. Veterinary referrals ensure we can provide treatment in the best interest of your dog.
The referrals will need to reach us before the initial appointment.
Go To Referral Form
Comprehensive Evaluation
After discussing your dog's medical history, we identify mobility limitations, pain level and specific needs. We assess your dog's conformation, posture and gait and perform a functional assessment using superficial body and muscle palpation.
This initial assessment determines the goals of treatment, the treatment plan and its duration and frequency.
While hydrotherapy is used independently, we also offer a complementary treatment of ACCELL Cycloid Vibration Therapy (CVT), to enhance circulation and relax muscles, while promoting lymphatic drainage and stimulation to soft tissue.
First Hydrotherapy Treatments
After the comprehensive evaluation, we place your dog in the hydrotherapy unit and fill it to the appropriate level with worm water. We then walk your dog on the treadmill at a speed suited to their rehabilitation goals.
Each hydrotherapy treatment consists of three sessions with a rest period in between.
Note:
Medical requirements for treatments mean we use harnesses and not collars. We provide harnesses for your dog's session, or you may use your own if you prefer.
Follow-up Treatments
The next Treatments take around an hour and include follow-up from the previous treatment, mobility reassessment, three (3) hydrotherapy Treatments with gradually increased duration and/or incline treadmill belt, and a reassessment upon completion.
Preparing for a Session
Please ensure your dog has toileted prior to the session and in particular they have defecated. This ensures that the hydrotherapy is not interrupted.
Important:
If your dog defecates the hydrotherapy unit, we have to close the facility for the remainder of the day. Should your dog suffer from a faecal or urinal incontinence, please contact us to discuss available options.
Treatment Process Videos
Watch our rehabilitation and treatment sessions in action. These videos showcase our approach to helping pets recover and thrive.
Treatment with Treadmill Inclined - Recovery from TTA rapid surgery
Treatment of Cervical myelopathy gait recovery - Great Dane
Treatment with Treadmill Inclined - German Shepperd
Recovery from CCL Surgery - Bearded Colie
Recovery from Post IVDD Surgery - Dachshund