The canine hydrotherapy treadmill uses heated sanitised water (29 degrees). The walkthrough, transparent design allows the therapist and the owner to see how the dog is using each of its limbs in the water. The water depth and temperature can easily be adjusted making the dog using the machine as comfortable as possible. The side platforms also mean your dog can be supervised by the Physiotherapist, helping them feel at ease throughout the entire process. 

If you feel your dog will benefit from UWTT we will need to gain permission from your vet to do so. Your first appointment will be a full physical assessment where we will discuss appropriate goals/ exercise and talk about what to expect from your UWTT sessions.

When should the water treadmill be used? 

• Orthopaedic conditions 
• Neurological Conditions 
• Balance, Co-ordination & Posture 
• Conservative & Post Op Management of Spinal Disorders 
• Stable Fractures 
• Post Op Hip/Knee Surgeries 
• Improving Range of Movement 
• Improving Muscle Strength 
• Gait Re-education 
• Improving Exercise Tolerance/ Cardiovascular Fitness 
• Weight loss 

What are the benefits of the underwater treadmill? 

• By varying the water level, the amount of work that the dog does can be altered from light to more strenuous exercise. 
• Improves balance and stability 
• Improves posture and your dog’s walking action. 
• The warm water helps relieve pain and stiffness 
• Helps aid joint mobilisation 
• Builds up muscle strength 
• Improves cardiovascular fitness 
• Promotes muscle relaxation 
• Improves circulation 
• Encourages weight loss & improves general health 
• The speed of the treadmill can be adjusted, enabling the treatment to be tailored to suit each dog limbs. 

When should it not be used? 

Although water therapy can be very beneficial for your dog, there are some circumstances where it may not be the best option. This includes dogs that have respiratory or cardiac disease. 

What to expect

The UWTT sessions will involve your dog wearing a water harness before walking into the treadmill where they will be joined by the physiotherapist. The water will then be filled from the bottom of the treadmill towards an appropriate level depending on the dogs needs and speed will be adjusted accordingly.