Swimming must be done bearing in mind the dog’s general health – dogs will normally be referred for hydrotherapy by a vet . A sensible pool owner will ensure that any dog presented to him or her for swimming is healthy enough to benefit from swimming – taking into account age, overall condition and an acknowledgement from the owner that the dog has no known health problems that might cause problems while swimming.
The dog – due to injury or old age and age related conditions, will either be unable or unwilling to exercise enough or in the most suitable manner. However, a dog in a heated pool and supported so he cannot sink, even if he made no attempt to swim, would benefit even if he were simply to lie in the warm water. The heat of the pool would increase the blood flow and the general well being would mask to a degree some of the aches and pains felt by the dog. Like us, the dog would feel better when coming out of the pool and this state of mind can bring on a desire to exercise in a normal fashion, which was not there before. It is important to remember that the dog’s body, like ours is designed to walk on land and for the continued good health of bones and ligaments, the pressures and stresses of abrupt muscle movement and jars of walking, are vital. The problem therefore is that when this ‘harsh’ exercise on land is self regulated or ceased by the dog due to pain or old age, hydrotherapy can, in the majority of instances, be a major help. The situation of the dog moving in water means that the muscles must work harder. Every movement of legs, though less painful due to the lack of weight load involved, is harder for the muscles. There is also a weight pressure on the rib cage due to the water which forces the lungs and the muscles surrounding this area to work harder. Harder working muscles will achieve more in a shorter space of time and with the increase in blood flow due to the heated water and aerobic exercise, the opportunity exists for improvement of many parts of the body. Swimming by its very nature demands work from almost every muscle in the dog’s body. As the dog’s muscle condition improves and increases, the ability and desire of the dog to move and exercise naturally will increase. The fitness and ability of the dog to swim also encourages the dog to increase the ‘session’ time in the pool, thus beginning a general upward spiral of exercise both in the pool and on land which will bring about an improvement of the condition being treated.