Do you remember the last time your pet started having problems? I haven't always had an easy time figuring out what was going on with my animal, which is why I started thinking more seriously about taking the right steps to make sure things were going like they should be. I began focusing more seriously on my animal, and before I knew it, I was able to determine when he was and wasn't sick. When he was sick, I always took him in to my veterinarian for service, and I feel like that has saved his life a few times. Check out this blog for more information.
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Understanding Veterinary Care
Three Uses For Your Animal Hospital's Underwater Treadmill
Cameron Torres
A local animal hospital has a wide range of devices that can help pets in a number of different ways. At some animal hospitals, you'll find an underwater treadmill. This device is similar in design to a traditional treadmill, but is situated at the bottom of a tank that holds water. The treadmill can be a valuable tool for different animals, but it's especially popular for dogs. If your dog finds itself facing a certain type of health issue, there's a good chance that your veterinarian will recommend sessions on the treadmill. Here are three common uses for this device.
Weight Loss
If a dog gets too heavy, it may suffer from all sorts of health problems. Veterinarians will often encourage you to walk your dog regularly to help with weight loss, but this isn't always possible. If the dog has joint pain as a result of its weight, it might not be eager to walk outside. An underwater treadmill can be helpful in this scenario. As the pet walks in the water, the water's buoyancy will reduce the impact of its steps and thus lessen the pain. In an effort to help your pet lose weight, your vet may recommend that you book several underwater treadmill workout sessions over the next few weeks or months.
Joint Mobility
While people often associate joint replacement surgeries with elderly humans, it's important to know that joint replacement is also a treatment option for elderly dogs. For example, a dog that has a problem with its hip but is otherwise healthy may be a good candidate for total hip replacement surgery. After this procedure, your dog will need to get the joint moving in a controlled manner. A good way to do so is on the underwater treadmill, where the animal hospital staff can watch the dog's movements to ensure the new joint is working properly.
Muscle Strengthening
If your dog has lost muscle mass for any reason — perhaps as a result of an illness that has kept it from walking for more than just a brief amount of time each day — it will need to build up its leg muscles. Depending on how weak the muscles appear to be, your veterinarian may suggest using the underwater treadmill. The resistance that the water provides helps to strengthen the muscles faster than walking on the land, and the hospital's staff will be able to monitor the dog's progress during each session.
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