Wagging in Water

How can hydrotherapy help? Hydrotherapy uses the properties of water buoyancy, viscosity, resistance, and hydrostatic pressure to enable a dog (or human) to move her joints. Water makes the body buoyant, so when submerged, the weight of the body is supported. This means the dog is not fighting gravity. The buoyancy of water reduces stress on the joints and this creates a much safer environment for recovery after surgery. Hydrotherapy is also beneficial for dogs who are re...covering from an injury, dogs who suffer from degenerative joint disease, and those who have been paralyzed. Water therapy can also help dogs suffering from fractures, hip dysplasia, the amputation of a limb, and neurological disorders. Hydrotherapy may be especially beneficial for dogs who suffer from arthritis due to old age; the warm water helps reduce joint swelling, another benefit. Other benefits of water therapy include: Water increases circulation, ideal for skin and coat. Water can increase lymph drainage, rid the body of toxins, and improve the immune system. Water can encourage better digestion and can promote balance and coordination. Hydrotherapy can also help dogs who need to shed a few pounds. A great form of low-impact exercise, regular walks on the underwater treadmill or swimming in a pool can help promote weight loss and general fitness in dogs.

Wagging in water will be closed between October 30th and November 13th. If you are a new client or repeat client or repeat client I will be taking clients again Saturday, November 14th. Thank you so much!

Meet Kai! A 5 month old pittbull puppy who suffered a spinal injury several months ago. Unfortunately there is no surgical intervention that can be done. I am Cautiously optimistic we can make some improvements in his mobility as he grows with the proper physical therapy and other holistic interventions. His foster mom is dedicated to his recovery, so we are going to give it our all!

We are ready for winter! Your pup will leave wagging in water 100% dry! A little upgrade from the human hairdryer we were trying to work with

Puppy Jack with CP getting back on track after seizure episodes

My newest client luna. This old gal has some not so great hips and an ACL tear. She’s going to be feeling much better soon. She did excellent in the pool with full range of motion. Building muscle around the joints that naturally separate in the water taking the pressure off. Building the muscle with the jointed separated hekp to hold the muscle apart outside of the water with less rubbing. Also allowing the collagen to enter the joint without impact squishing it out. The water is helping her drainages, getting oxygen and blood flow to all the internal organs as well as cutting way down on arthritis inflammation. Can’t wait to hear how she feels tomorrow.

Please press see more. Important PSA. This is my new client Ella. When Ella was adopted by her owner 3 years ago she was told by the rescue that Ella has bad arthritis in her front legs. So over the years that has been managed. She’s visited regular vets who went with that diagnosis and medicated. On and off Ella has had bouts of very painful times. It looked as though walking was painful. My client called me sort of as a last resort to making Ella feel better. She had recent...ly seen the vet again who said she was so painful from the arthritis she didn’t even want to touch her. She put her on meds and sent them home. When Ella walked into my facility I did what I always do. I let her walk around so I can watch their gate. I’m not only looking at what I was told was the issue, but I’m looking at the whole dog. Facial expressions (neck tension pulls the cheeks back by the ears)looking for limping, kuckling, sideways walking even if it’s very subtle it’s all very telling. We got her up on the couch and I started to manipulate her leg joints. Feeling for crackling, stiffness, looking at her reactions, even an ear flick will indicate pain. Here’s what I felt and saw. Hardly anything. A tiny bit of cracking in the shoulder which is typical for her age and slowed movements. But otherwise her joint were soft, easily bendable, no pain reflex reaction. I said to the owner, I’m not an orthopedist, but I honestly don’t have any indication here that the amount of pain she is in is being caused by arthritis in her legs. I’m just not convinced. I did ultrasound and laser on her joints anyway then got her down on the floor. More times than not if your dog is experiencing pain walking, yet is not favoring the legs in one way or the other, and the joints are nice and bendy (medical term) the odds are the problem is coming from the spine. In the first section of this video I’m testing her back for pain. I felt strongly that’s where the problem is, and sure enough she went into spasm with the slightest amount of pressure on the outer muscle of the spine. From the mid back up into her neck which has been causing pain to run down her front legs. I gave each joint of the spine a good manual stretch and then got her in the pool. She was a different dog when she got out and this morning I received a text from her owner. I also suggested she see Dr. Frishman at Somers Progressive for acupuncture. Now that we pinpointed where problem Is coming from, Ella can begin to feel much better! I’ve advised the owner to get some xrays of her spine to confirm my theory with an orthopedist. This could be many things. Herniated disc, IVDD, Spondylosis etc. Again I’m not a vet but I feel like as therapists we see things they don’t necessarily sometimes. Too often vets look at isolated issue and the science without seeing the whole dog. I hope this is the first step to Ella’s new pain free life. See more

3 weeks ago we thought this puppy was dying. Born with a mystery neurological disorder Jack started to plummet downhill. Every test under the sun was done and all inconclusive or negative. He began responding to antibiotics and pt, is regaining his ability to stand, to eat on his own and his sight. Today he navigated his own way around the pool. This is why we do what we do

This is my new client Valentine. Her vet told them that she had arthritis. When I saw the X-ray I spotted what is an obvious lumbar fusion. Her legs have been randomly taking her down for the count. I hit her with all of my tricks yesterday, and just now I got this message. #ilovemyjob #wagginginwater ... #caninept #thinkoutsidethebox See more

I’m doing some core work with this cutie. A senior shitzu who slipped a disc. Non surgical at this stage, so PT was recommended. After therapeutic ultrasound, swimming and BOSU, Grizzly’s posture was so much better as he was leaving. Have I mentioned I love my job?

This is kimmie, kimmie has two spinal fractures that were never surgically repaired. Her injuries are over 18 months old, however I think I can build on the little mobility she does have. It’s worth a shot!

Puppy with CH shocking us all by being able to hold his own head in the water