Do I need a referral?

Yes. Because hydrotherapy is a medical treatment, we need to ensure your pet is fit for it. We will perform a health check to ensure their heart and lungs can handle the exercise and that their incision sites (if post-surgery) are healed.

How often do they need to visit?

This depends on the condition. For post-surgery rehab, we often start with 1–2 sessions per week for 6–8 weeks. For weight loss or arthritis maintenance, once a week or fortnight is often enough.

My dog is tiny. Is the machine too big?

No! We can adjust the water level for anything from a Chihuahua to a Great Dane.

Can they get an ear infection?

In an underwater treadmill, the dog's head stays dry (unlike swimming in a pool), so the risk is very low. We always dry them thoroughly afterwards.

Hydrotherapy | Ormeau Vet

When we think of exercise for our dogs, we usually picture chasing a ball at the park or going for a run on the pavement. But for many pets—especially those recovering from surgery or suffering from arthritis—land-based exercise can be painful and damaging.

A common misconception is that hydrotherapy is just letting a dog paddle in a pool. While swimming is great, Clinical Hydrotherapy (usually performed in an Underwater Treadmill) is a precise medical therapy.

It relies on four scientific principles:

Buoyancy (Weight Relief): Water supports the dog’s weight. In an underwater treadmill, we can reduce the load on painful joints by up to 60%. This allows a dog to stand and walk without the pain they feel on gravity-heavy land.
Resistance (Muscle Building): Walking through water is much harder than walking through air. This builds muscle strength rapidly, which helps support the joints.
Hydrostatic Pressure (Anti-Swelling): The pressure of the water against the legs acts like a compression stocking, helping to reduce swelling (edema) and improve circulation.
Temperature: The water is heated (usually around 28–30°C). This warmth relaxes tight muscles and loosens stiff joints before the exercise even begins.

Who Needs Hydrotherapy?

Here at Ormeau Vet, we recommend water therapy for a wide range of patients:

1. Post-Surgical Rehabilitation

This is the most common use. After Cruciate Ligament (ACL/CCL) surgery or fracture repairs, dogs lose muscle mass very quickly. Hydrotherapy allows them to start moving the limb sooner and safely, preventing muscle wastage (atrophy).

2. Arthritis Management

For senior dogs, walking on concrete is jarring. The underwater treadmill allows them to exercise their heart and muscles without the “pounding” impact on their sore hips or elbows.

3. Weight Loss

Obesity is a vicious cycle: the dog is too heavy to exercise, so they gain more weight. Water supports their belly, allowing them to burn calories comfortably.

4. Neurological Issues

For dogs with spinal issues (like IVDD) who have lost the ability to walk, the water supports them while our therapists manually help their legs “remember” the walking motion (patterning).

What to Expect During a Session

Many owners worry: “But my dog hates the bath!”

Don’t panic. The underwater treadmill is very different from a slippery bathtub or a scary swimming pool.

The dog walks into a dry, glass-walled tank. The door is sealed, and warm water slowly fills from the bottom up. They are never “thrown in.”
Once the water reaches the correct height (e.g., hip level), the treadmill belt starts moving slowly.
A trained hydrotherapist is in the tank or right beside them the entire time, offering treats, encouragement, and physical support.
The water drains away, and the dog walks out dry (well, mostly!). We then towel dry or blow-dry them warm.

Most dogs, once they realize they can move without pain, absolutely love their sessions.