My
name is Danielle. In January 2006 my 18 month old Shih Tzu Tia slipped
and damaged her cruciate ligament. She was referred for 6 weeks
of canine hydrotherapy. Here is our personal account of Tia's hydrotherapy
sessions.
Session 2
Well this week was much better. We reported to reception as per
usual and shortly after we went round to the hydrotherapy suit.
There Tia gets showered down lightly just get any dirt out of her
coat and she is fitted with a life jacket! Dogs who realise that
lifejackets keep them afloat and therefore don't work are given
ordinary harnesses, forcing them to swim to stay afloat - cheeky
monkeys. Anyway, Tia hasn't realised this yet so she has an ordinary
lifejacket.
The hydrotherapist, Tania, then takes Tia into the pool where she
has to swim for 2 minutes whilst I sit at the side of the pool and
watch, normally chatting to Tania at the same time. After 2 minutes
Tia is taken to the slope into the pool where she rests and is massaged
to keep her blood flowing. Then she goes back into the pool for
another 2 minutes of swimming.
Tania
commented on how strong Tia's legs were which I put down to agility.
She is also a very fit little dog.
After the second 2 minute session Tia is brought out of the pool
and into the shower area where she is showered down. They encourage
you to bring your own shampoo so you can wash the dog down properly
and get all of the chlorine out of their coat. So Tia has a nice
shower and shampoo and then is wrapped in her big towel and is given
a huge cuddle whilst being towel dried.
After a towel dry she gets a quick massage on her legs to prevent
cramp and then goes under the hairdryer. Once we are all finished
her coat goes on and we are free to go.
You need to keep your dog as warm as possible after hydrotherapy
and they are often unstable on the feet for a short while - much
like us after a lot of physical exertion.
Anyway until next week, that's all folks.
Danielle and Tia
Session 3 |
