By Carolyn Menteith

Introduction to series

As a nation, we are becoming more and more health conscious. We understand the need for a healthy diet and regular exercise if we want to stay fit and live long lives - but more interesting, we have began to embrace complementary or alternative therapies in our quest to deal with the health problems that only a few short years ago would have had us running off to our GP to demand drugs!

Now it is common to see adverts for chiropractors, osteopaths, hypnotherapists, and a whole load of different types of counsellors pinned up in our doctor's surgery. Many otherwise traditional doctors recommend taking the homoeopathic remedy arnica after surgery while others extol the virtues of Rescue Remedy. Nearly every High Street can boast a Chinese Medicine shop, and even colonic irrigation - once mentioned in hushed tones only - can be seen regularly on national TV.

All this is great - and millions of people are reaping the benefits of this new holistic approach to healthcare - but why should it just be for people? Well the good news is…… it isn't. There are just as many complementary therapies for pets as there are for their people, and over the next few months we shall be looking at a few of them - from the fairly well established to the strange and possibly downright weird!

With my long-suffering guinea pig (or should I say, Polish Lowland Sheepdog), I will be visiting some of these practitioners to find out about their therapies, discover their benefits, and give you an in-depth dog and owner review so you know what to expect if you decide to try them out.

Hydrotherapy

For years doctors have known the benefits of water and have been advising patients to consider swimming as a way of getting or maintaining fitness if they have reduced mobility, are overweight or are recovering from injuries - or indeed have any problems that make exercise unwise, dangerous or just painful if the body has to bear the strain of its whole weight. The overweight can begin to get in trim without putting undue strain on joints, and recovery from injuries can be far faster if the surrounding muscles are exercised and the circulation to the injured area increases.

This goes for dogs too and so I thought that to start this series Digby should get to grips with what surely is one of those most natural of canine skills - swimming.

I chose to take Digby to Greyfriars Rehabilitation Centre just outside of Guildford in Surrey - partly because it was close, partly because it looked good on the website but also because it didn't use hoists to lift dogs into the water and hold them in one place which some pools do - and which I personally just didn't like the look of (and I knew Digby would hate).

The first step was to phone and make an appointment. Digby's swim would be a fitness swim only, but even still I was quizzed thoroughly and many details were taken, including my vet's contact details. I was very impressed that the staff will not let your dog swim without them checking with your vet that it is safe to do so. Angela from Greyfriars explained that swimming can put a strain on the cardiovascular system and they needed to be sure that the dog wasn't suffering from any conditions that would make exercise unsafe before starting any kind of hydrotherapy programme. Angela stressed that, although a dog may be referred by a vet for one specific problem, Greyfriars takes a holistic approach and a dogs age, overall condition, medical problems, past medical history and in some cases behaviour will all be taken into account.

With all our details taken, Digby and I set off with swimming costumes and floating dog toys at the ready. I say swimming costume because at Greyfriars, you can get in the pool with your dog if you want to - and I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to splash around in a heated pool and enjoy some aqua-games with my dog.

I arrived at Greyfriars early - and so took the chance to relax with a coffee and talk to owner Angela about hydrotherapy for dogs and just what the point is - apart from having some fun.

She began by explaining that there are two types of swims - fitness swims which are for fun, exercise, to maintain mobility in senior dogs or as part of a weight loss programme, and then there are swims for dogs who have been referred by a vet or physiotherapist as part of a rehabilitation or physiotherapy programme.

The fitness swims are exactly what they sound like. Dogs come to the pool and enjoy the exercise and enjoyment of swimming and playing with toys in the water - and the owners can go in with them and join in the fun. Where hydrotherapy really comes into its own however is as a remedial therapy - and the results can be quite miraculous. Angela went on to tell me that many of the dogs who come to them are recovering from injuries, accidents or operations or are suffering from degenerative problems. For these dogs swimming and massage or gentle stretching in water allows recovery to start much earlier. The warm water and increased range of limb movements, which would never be possible on land, help to promote circulation, which in turn aids healing. The hydrostatic pressure of the water can also have an anti-inflammatory effect, which relieves pain and reduces swelling, resulting in more comfortable or more natural limb movements. In addition, the dog can have his exercise requirements fulfilled even if walking isn't possible. For dogs whose conditions are quite severe, the water gives them a mobility and confidence that they have nowhere else, making then far happier and raising their quality of life. Some of Greyfriars' customers are dogs who are nearing the end of their days and who come purely for this increased quality of life - and that in itself seems to prolong the inevitable. Exercise is one of the best ways to maintain quality of life - and with hydrotherapy, this becomes possible for far longer. Elderly dogs that have become stiff and arthritic also appear to get a new lease of life as they realise that they can have a bit of fun and exercise without being in so much pain and it tends to rejuvenate them.

I was keen to find out what sort of conditions hydrotherapy is good for. It seemed virtually everything, but Angela particularly mentioned arthritis, hip dysplasia, degenerative diseases like CDRM, spinal injuries, recovery from multiple injuries (such as road traffic accidents), cruciate ligament injuries or post-surgery, and obesity - as well, of course, as mental wellbeing.

In these cases, the hydrotherapy encourages the circulation in the affected area, and allows the muscles to be built up to support and stabilise the affected joints. This will decrease pain and swelling and make the dogs more comfortable and will help to slow the progression of degenerative disease.

In the case of spinal injuries it is vital that staff are experienced and trained and any exercise is carefully controlled so that the dog's movements are restricted and supported. Often there is temporary paralysis of the hind limbs after spinal surgery. The use of a water-current played onto the top of the paws can promote a reflex swimming action which can 'kick start' limb movements. Standing supported in water can help a dog regain confidence and retrain muscles and nerves to learn to balance and begin to walk again.

In post-surgery cases (such as after cruciate surgery), dogs who would otherwise be on total crate rest (with all the frustration that brings) get the chance to begin to exercise again to the relief of all.

Swimming has psychological benefits too - for dog and owner. With the shock of an accident, injury and possibly subsequent surgery and hospitalisation, a dog can be severely depressed. A visit to a hydrotherapy pool can spur them on to have a more positive attitude - along with their owners! Meeting other owners, who are further on in the recovery process, can be particularly helpful and encouraging for people when things are looking bleak for their own dog. Good friendships are made here. Angela went on to tell me that many of the dogs that come to Greyfriars are 'bionic', with metal plates, screws and scars, and they are a testament to dogs' amazing ability to recover from serious injury and get on with enjoying life. Hydrotherapy makes that possible.

Before I knew it, it was our turn. First of all, Kirsty (one of Greyfriars' staff) fitted Digby into an easy-to-grab, bright collar and life jacket. As she was fitting it, Kirsty explained that not all dogs are natural swimmers, and many of their clients have mobility problems that mean they can't swim as well as normal. By wearing a jacket, the dogs can get their confidence in the water and fully move all their limbs and joints without having to worry too much about staying afloat. Once kitted out, it was time for Digby to take the plunge. To start with, Kirstie was going to swim with him to give him a chance to get the hang of it all with an expert. The pool has a nice gentle ramp, so Digby was quite happy to paddle in and before he knew it, he was swimming like a pro (well, a pro who was holding his head as far out of the water as possible!). As he is a total Kong-freak, he was happy to swim anywhere after his floating Kong and once he was holding it, he could be towed round with the attached rope - although getting hold of it in the water was a bit of a challenge for him - in fact with his hair in his eyes, he just resorted to doing rather hazardous snapping turtle impressions until he eventually found it. He really seemed to be having fun - although I was surprised just how much energy it was taking out of him I have always thought he was pretty fit - but swimming is a much more aerobic exercise that normal dog walks. Then Kirsty showed me another feature of the pool - water jets. By turning on the jets and getting the dog to swim into them, it makes the dog work even harder. These are designed for the fitness freaks for whom normal swims are no longer a challenge, but also as a therapy exercise. Whatever it did, Digby couldn't cope with it for too long, and soon needed a rest.

While he was recovering, I stripped off and prepared to join him in the pool. As a now expert swimmer, Digby stripped off too, losing his life jacket.

For anyone who hasn't swum with their dog, I have to say "What are you waiting for?". It is so much fun! We played with the Kong, had a real laugh and did some serious bonding in a total different environment. It is a chance to focus 100% on your dog and we both loved it. By the time we came out and after much splashing around, we were both exhausted but very happy.

Greyfriars also has great facilities when you have finished your swim. There is a dog shower area where you can shampoo your dog to get rid of all the chlorine, then there is a blaster to dry your dog off before you go home (which I will admit, Digby hated and tried his hardest to kill!).

While Digby doesn't need to swim on health grounds, we will most certainly be going back. This is a great way to exercise your dog in a totally different way, and it seems to give them a workout that nothing else does. Digby was utterly exhausted for the rest of the day and I got some rather rare peace and quiet. More than that however, it is a really fun way to interact with your dog.

For dogs who need hydrotherapy as a rehabilitation tool, a physiotherapy exercise, part of a weight loss programme or as a way to exercise when no other ways are possible, I think it is one of the most valuable therapies I have ever found.

For further details contact Greyfriars Hydrotherapy Pool on 01483 811172 or visit www.greyfriarshydrotherapy.co.uk.

For details of pools near you either ask your vet or contact the Canine Hydrotherapy Association on 07050 265 971 or visit www.k9hydrotherapy.co.uk.

What to look for in a good hydrotherapy pool There is no governing body of hydrotherapy pools although there is the Canine Hydrotherapy Association. If a pool has gone to the trouble of joining them and coming up to their fairly tough training and quality standards, that is a good indicator that it will be a clean and well run pool. Expect to be asked lots of questions and expect the staff to take your vet's details. A pool that will just let any dog swim without doing this are best kept away from. Go and visit the pool before you plan to swim your dog. Is it clean and tidy? Are the staff friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable? Are they happy for you to watch other dogs swimming (if it is safe to do so)? Do they have good facilities - such as somewhere to wash your dog afterwards? And if you plan to swim with your dog, is there somewhere you can change afterwards too? What does the pool look like? The water should be clean (albeit a bit hairy!) and warm. Pool hygiene is vital and a dog swimming pool should be just as clean as a human one. Find out what training the staff have. Are you going to be happy letting these people swim your dog? If you are coming for a remedial swim, is there a physiotherapist working on site? A vet? A vet nurse? If so, have a go. It is fun!