Nina Lucas is a veterinarian by training, specializing in functional rehabilitation. Thus, she practices animal hydrotherapy. Because just like for humans, water has multiple benefits, particularly on the joints. If a pet has recently had a muscle or bone injury, walking it in water may help it recover more quickly. “Veterinary physiotherapy is the equivalent of physiotherapy in humans,” explains Nina Lucas.
This practice became more widespread in 2011 in France and was quickly regulated by the Veterinary Order. Indeed, it is a medical technique, not to be confused with balneotherapy. The latter simply involves making a dog swim in a pool.
Here, once a diagnosis has been defined by a specialist veterinarian, the canine can begin its sessions. Using a suitable machine, the dog will then be able to walk on a treadmill, with water which gradually rises according to its needs. “In general, for a dog with arthritis, we will try to put water approximately up to the level of the hips. The goal is for it to feel as light as possible. The speed will be very dependent. Sometimes, we will be at 0.3 km/h for a very tired, very gentle dog. And we will be able to go up to 5 km/h,” explains the veterinarian.
This technique can also be effective for neurological problems, she says. “For example, a dog that has a herniated disc and is not yet able to lift itself up and walk, is sometimes able to do so once in the water!”
Why is water effective?
The properties of water act in multiple ways. The Archimedean thrust is one of the main reasons. The simple fact of being in the water will indeed allow the dog to be lighter and therefore to walk with more ease. “Then there is the resistance of water,” says Nina Lucas, “Water is seven times more resistant than air. This means that just by combining the resistance of the water and the Archimedean thrust, we will require an exercise that is more difficult, but which is more comfortable and atraumatic.”
Of course, it is entirely possible to help the animal in a natural environment, such as a stream, a river, a lake or the sea. The virtues of water will in fact be substantially the same.
Be careful, however, to seek the advice of a veterinarian according to the needs and pathologies of the animal. “Is it more recommended to swim or do some kind of long climb? To walk the dog in the water?” asks Nina Lucas. This natural way of helping your dog is indeed suitable for smaller budgets, with the cost of a hydrotherapy session varying between 50 and 60 euros. It usually takes several sessions to see effective results. However, most animal health insurance companies reimburse these sessions.
