I know he is still healing, big op for an old dog, but I just wonder if hydrotherapy would be any good. Has anyone done it for their dog? Anyone know anywhere that does it that wont require me to take out a second mortgage?
My lovely old dog, Alf, a Greyhound-Saluki cross recently had and an operation to correct a disc hernia which caused him pain and stiffness in his back and legs......a huge amount of dosh later he is better, but suddenly has become old. Well, he is 11, but was always playful and able to belt around a field at 100mph until 6 weeks ago.
A neighbour's dog had hydro therapy for a similar problem. The treatment was very beneficial. Give Alf a hug from me!
I've done hydrotherapy with my two DM dogs; I believe it was quite helpful in maintaining muscle strength as the disease progressed. I would certainly consider it again should the need arise with any of the other mutts.
We did it at Kynofit in Effretikon:
I see that they now offer a swimming pool - when we did it (8 and 5 years ago) they only had the underwater treadmill. One of my collies didn't like the treadmill, he tended to panic in enclosed spaces. Because of that, after the first course of sessions I decided to continue with the therapy plan on my own, swimming in the lake. (My guy's behavioral issues meant that he was not the easiest of patients.) I think if we had been able to do more desensitization work he would have been more receptive of the treadmill.
But my other guy had no problems with the treadmill, enjoyed his hydro sessions very much. Now that they have a pool all the better.
If you are doing this as surgical after-care, be sure that you are proceeding under the direction of your vet or veterinary physiotherapist.
Hydrotherapy (or plain old swimming) is a great way to give the dog the exercise he needs without stressing joints/muscles, or to help a dog with limited mobility. As long as your vet agrees, why not give it a try?
All the best to your Alf.
(Do you have a physiotherapist? I know a very good one in the ZH/ZG area...)
You might want to see if there is a chiropractor in your area that also deals with dogs. Don't laugh, I had my dog treated a number of times and it works wonders.
Typically using the "activator" technique, the chiropractor can easily re-align any discs that are out of place. Since he has had disc issues, I would see what you can do in the way of an adjustment rather that looking at muscle issues.
We used
Physio für Hunde
Frau Petra Ruoss Hüppen
8863 Büttikon SZ
055 550 3252
She has a sort of large bath tub, which has a threadmill at the bottom. The bath fills with water and the dog is meant to walk on this threadmill. Our dog sitter, from Angela's Dog Sitting http://www.angelas-hundesitting.ch/ recommended her and even took our Bernese Mountain Dog to his appointments.
Is this what you are looking for?
I am new here, so am finding out about the hydrotherapy places in Zug area and have been recommended the same ones as you. Our male lab cross is 13 years old, has square hips and for the last 8 years has done the swimming hydrotherapy in the UK and Dubai with trained people and he loved it and it really did him a lot of good - you could tell when he was not swimming for a long period of time as his back leg muscles would lose definition.
My dog Sophie has had hydrotherapy in a pool over many years related to arthritis. It has been absolutely super. It made her much stronger (and she is a bit of a power packet anyway).
I believe it would be great for Alf to keep form in his legs, and for his back. My Sophie did not like the underwater treadmill - she also panicked. The underwater treadmill provides resistance when the move, while I find swimming in a pool is the better option as the whole body gets a great work out.
Sorry, but I can't recommend anywhere here as have not found anywhere with a pool near me (border ZH and ZG) and I don't have a car anymore. All the best for Alf
My dog did well with hydrotherapy. Definitely recommend health balance