Underwater Treadmill For Dogs
A common treatment used in canine rehabilitation for dogs with arthritis or recovering from surgery is the use of an underwater treadmill. The premise of the underwater treadmill is that the buoyancy of the water will decrease the effects of gravity and thus assist with gait training. The water height can be adjusted in relation to the patient—the higher the water level, the less body weight the patient uses. However, although its use could be beneficial in a minority of cases, the reality is that underwater treadmill is vastly over-used in the field of canine rehabilitation and, most of the time, dogs recover much better from injury or surgery without using an underwater treadmill in their rehabilitation program.
Here at TheK9PT, we do not use the underwater treadmill as a form of treatment for several reasons as rehabilitation is much more than one modality of treatment, and underwater treadmill is just one small piece of the puzzle. Although useful with some patients, the underwater treadmill also has its pitfalls:
Pitfall #1: Progressive Loading
The underwater treadmill does not promote progressive overloading. The clinics who use it will often claim that it will help increase strength, both post-surgically and during the treatment of other musculoskeletal conditions. However, it is well known and researched in the field of human sports medicine that to add strength—and subsequently generate muscle growth—muscles and tendons need to be gradually loaded with progressive resistance. For example, when you go to the gym you don’t work on increasing your strength by using the treadmill, even if you adjust the incline level or adjust the speed. You do so with progressive loads by lifting weights or using your body weight for resistance (e.g., pull-ups, push-ups, etc.).
The same concept of strength building applies to canines. Is it possible to add some strength by using the underwater treadmill? Sure! Some muscle gain will be observed in patients who are severely deconditioned and whose main exercise is walking on the underwater treadmill. But those patients will also quickly hit a plateau and run the risk of developing overuse injuries due to the repetitive nature of simply walking for increasingly longer distances. Take, for example, a variety of “Couch to 5K” programs designed for humans: they all involve a combination of a walking/running program and a strength training program to help with injury prevention and long-term wellness.
Pitfall #2: Abnormal Gait
The second pitfall of the underwater treadmill is the promotion and progression of an abnormal gait. If a patient has an abnormal gait, for whatever reason that may be, it does not make sense to keep building endurance with that abnormal gait. A canine rehab therapist needs to first assess the patient to determine the reasons for why he or she has developed that abnormal gait, and then address those issues before building endurance in the underwater treadmill or even during a walking protocol at home. Could the underwater treadmill also be used to help correct an abnormal gait? Yes, in some instances it can. But to do so, the therapist would need to be inside the tank with his or her hands on the patient assisting to correct the gait pattern. Here at TheK9PT we treat all of the movement dysfunctions a patient presents with treatment methods such as manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, massage, and laser therapy, just to name a few.
This is not to say that the underwater treadmill doesn’t have its benefits and can’t be a part of a successful rehabilitation plan. The problem is that a rehab plan is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and the underwater treadmill is not a magic piece of equipment from which every patient will benefit. It can, and should be, used when appropriate for the patient. The reality, however, is that with the growth of the canine rehab field has come the overutilization of this modality of treatment. We hope that this information is helpful in understanding why our clinic does not use the underwater treadmill as a method of treatment. Now, let us tell you how we can help you and your pup!
How can we help you?
We have put together some of the best educational content for pet parents in a series of newsletters on several topics and conditions. Download our newsletters (currently free) to start helping your pup right away…
The Truth About Arthritis in Dogs
Intervertebral Disc Disorder (IVDD)
Hip Dysplasia – Surgical & Non-Surgical
Post-Surgical ACL/CCL Care
ACL/CCL Conservative Management
Here’s What Other Pet Parents Like You Are Saying About the Outstanding Care Received at TheK9PT…
“Francisco is the best!! His knowledge and dedication to his patients is outstanding! Just when I thought my girl Roxy didn’t have any options to function normally, in just a short amount of time he helped get her walking and jumping again. She is living the dream at 11 years thanks to his guidance!”
Lindsey Williams, Roxy's mom“It had been over a year since Dillon, my beloved yellow lab, had been able to run, play fetch, and just be dog due to bilateral ACL tears, a bucket meniscus tear, and the subsequent atrophy that occurs with those types of injuries. After a few months with TheK9PT, Dillon is back to doing all of the things she loves, namely fetch. I have taken Dillon to physical therapy at other Chicago clinics – TheK9PTwas far and away the best.”
Brian Kates, Dillon's dad“After countless sessions through one of the more well-known providers of physical therapy in the city, Morgan was not responding favorably, and he was absolutely miserable in a clinical environment. Admittedly, this works for just fine for other dogs, but my little man was miserable and his stress was heartbreaking. I turned to the internet to seek alternatives, and I was blessed to find TheK9PT. After a thorough professional assessment, and with “blessing” of the amazing Orthopedic surgeon that performed his surgery, Morgan began in-home PT with them in April 2018. His progress was immediate, not to mention his degree of comfort and responsiveness to treatment in his own home, where he is happiest.”
Jennifer Rumin, Morgan's mom“For the last few years, we have tried virtually every type of physical therapy for our 9.5 year old Husky Emma, who had 2 TPLO surgeries to repair torn ACLs and a leg fracture complication from one of them. Unlike many of the other forms of therapy we tried, they took a more balanced approach between loosening her up and strengthening her so the tightness decreased over time. This was her first time with a strength-heavy course of action and it’s paid off significantly – best she’s been doing in 3+ years since her first surgery! I can tell you from first-hand experience that TheK9PT is absolutely your best therapy option for your dog. A++ option!”
Justin Larkin, Emma's dadStill unsure of how TheK9PT can help your pup?
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Free Discovery Consult
We realize some pet parents may be unsure if physical therapy is right for their pet. It could be that you’re not sure it will work, or whether we can help with your pet’s current issues, or maybe you had a bad experience with rehabilitation in the past. If that sounds like you and you would like to come in and see for yourself how TheK9PT can help you and your pup, please fill out the short form below and tell us more so we can better answer your questions:
Talk to a Doctor First
It is okay if you are not ready to book an appointment for physical therapy right now. Perhaps you have questions and think it would be good to talk to someone at TheK9PT first so you can be 100% sure that we can help you. Perhaps you have tried some form of canine rehabilitation before without much success. That is completely understandable, and if that is the case please click the button below and fill out a short form to schedule a call. We would have no issues answering all the questions you have over the phone, completely free:
*Note: No treatment is given during a free discovery consults. Discovery consults are designed for you to ask more questions and for us to confirm whether or not we can help your pup.