Hydrotherapy simply means ‘water therapy’. There are many benefits to be gained by exercising in water, and it forms an essential part of the rehabilitation program of many small animal patients.
Pets that receive hydrotherapy as part of their rehabilitation program will demonstrate accelerated recovery and return to function compared to those receiving a home exercise program alone. Research shows that underwater treadmill therapy can speed muscle strengthening and improve joint range of motion in dogs following surgery. Benefits can be gained in as little as 1-2 sessions per week.
Hydro-treadmill therapy is suitable for dogs recovering from a variety of injuries and surgeries. The underwater treadmill allows dogs to walk while the buoyancy of the water greatly reduces loading placed on painful or healing structures. We can also use the buoyancy of the water to assist us when retraining gait in spinal injured patients.
Precise control of speed, exercise intensity, water depth and temperature, means exercise can be tailored to suit each individual patient. Progressions can be made easily and gradually through increases in speed, exercise duration and alterations to water depth, or by adding floatation devices.
Activity can be progressed from extremely gentle for older and frailer patients to a challenging workout, making it suitable for dogs of all shapes, sizes and ages.
Benefits of underwater treadmill therapy include:
Earlier commencement of recovery rehabilitation
Accelerated strengthening and growth of muscle
Improved weight bearing
Re-education of normal gait
Shorter recovery time and faster return to function
Improved fitness and weight-loss while exercise is restricted
Prices*:
$40 per treatment
*Prices current as of 23/04/2020 and excluding of preliminary/diagnostic consultation
Laser therapy is a surgery free, drug free, and noninvasive treatment that has been very successful at reducing healing time after surgeries and treating acute and chronic conditions such as:
- Joint pain (arthritis)
- Wounds
- Post-surgical pain
- Neck and back pain
- Hip dysplasia
- Burns
- Chronic and acute pain and more!
Clinical benefits of laser:
- Reduces spasm
- Pain relief
- Increases circulation
- Improves flexibility and function
- Improves healing
- Reduced symptoms associated with osteorarthritis
- Reduces swelling and inflammation
- Accelerated tissue repair and cell growth
- Increases metabolic activity
- Increases quality of life
Prices*:
$26 - per treatment area
$156 - 6 treatments and receive the 7th treatment free
*Prices current as of 23/04/2020 and excluding of preliminary/diagnostic consultation
Girraween Veterinary Hospital are happy to advise that we can now offer a referral service to our a rehabilitation program for clinics in the Darwin Area.
If you are a veterinarian and have a patient you feel would benefit from Class 4 cold-laser therapy and/or hydro-treadmill therapy, we request that you send through the relevant history correlating to the condition the animal has been diagnosed with or alternatively fill in the form below.
Alternatively, if you are a loyal client of another clinic but think Laser would benefit your pet, speak to your veterinarian about referring to GVH for rehab!
