How Hydrotherapy Has Helped
Patient Stories
Take a look at some of our lovely clients' rehabilitation journeys and learn how hydrotherapy and land-based therapies helped them.
-Chex, Jindo cross, forelimb amputee & conservative cruciate disease
-Bella, Labrador, cruciate disease, hip and elbow dysplasia, multi-joint arthritis
-Reggie, Labrador, hip dysplasia
Meet Chex!
Condition- Left Forelimb Partial Amputation and partial cruciate tear- successfully conservatively managed
Chex is a very handsome Jindo cross who was fostered by team member Rebecca allowing for intensive rehabilitation and a multimodal approach to treatment. This included;
-Regular pool-based hydrotherapy.
-Foundational physiotherapy exercises.
-Massage therapy
-Collaboration with a pain management specialist vet to address and medicate hypersensitivity of his stump and phantom limb pain.
-Careful exercise routine and home management.
-Revision surgery to remove the remaining limb due to poor biomechanics as a partial amputee (because his amputation was below the elbow, his nervous system still attempted a normal weight-baring pattern, causing him to extend the limb towards the ground instead of adapting to a tripod stance).
After 6 months in foster, Chex found his perfect home and is loving life, zooming around and destroying as many toys as he can get his paw on!
Meet Bella
Condition- TPLO following cruciate rupture. Previously diagnosed hip/elbow dysplasia and multi-joint arthritis
Bella is a sweet, gentle Labrador who was referred to us post TPLO a surgery used to improve joint biomechanics and function post
cruciate tear. Her rehabilitation journey has included,
-Water treadmill post operatively
-Galen Myotherapy (massage therapy) sessions
-She is also doing great with her weight loss journey!
Bella has recovered from her surgery and continues to attend for maintenance water treadmill (which she thinks is a spa and cuddles session!)
Check out her before and after photos after having massage. After 3 Galen Myotherapy sessions, you can see changes in her posture and gait. Another exciting improvement was the difference in her coat appearance! Chronic pain and the subsequent changes to the tension within fascia beneath the skin can have a direct impact on a dog's coat pattern. This is because as the skin tightens, it can alter the direction, angle and texture of the hair follicles, leading to flicks, swirls and other patterns.
Meet Reggie!
Condition: Hip Dysplasia (TPO)
Reggie is a very lovely Labrador who we had the
pleasure of meeting as a young puppy following a
surgical procedure called a Triple Pelvic Osteotomy,
which aims to improve hip joint function and stability.
His rehabilitation journey has included;
-Initial water treadmill hydrotherapy post operatively.
-Progression to pool based hydrotherapy.
-Massage Therapy.
-Foundational Physiotherapy exercises.
-Collaboration with a pain management specialist vet for a medication review and long term goal assessment.
-Lots of fantastic work from his family to ensure the perfect home, exercise, and lifestyle management.
Reggie has made brilliant progress and has managed to avoid further surgery (total hip replacement) which was recommended prior to rehabilitation, and now continues swimming for maintenance.
