Blanchardstown Canine Hydrotherapy Centre

Dublin - Canine Hydrotherapy page

Who can be treated

Dogs with:

Hip and elbow dysplasia.

Pre- and post-operative Cranial Cruciate Ligament rupture

Post surgical orthopaedic dogs (fractures)

Degenerative disease such as arthritis

Neurological disorders

Soft tissue injuries (tendons, muscle and ligaments)

 Obesity dogs

Most dogs to maintain or improve fitness, working and agility levels

FACILITIES

A suitable hydrotherapy unit with an Aquatic Treadmill is used for Canine Hydrotherapy for rehabilitating patients. It offers a controlled method of water therapy in a safe environment for patients with different medical conditions.  This enables the hydrotherapist to have complete control of the exercise of each patient.
By levelling the depth of water to create walking resistance and decreasing and increasing speed up to 8mph, this provides a low impact exercise in a reduced gravity environment creating an appropriate and challenging rehabilitation programme for each patient’s medical condition.
The Aquatic Treadmill is unique in its structure in that it has all viewing sides of glass with two doors, one at each end, and ramps at the entry and exit of the treadmill to prevent injured dogs having to turn around or walk backwards to get out.
It also has an incline ramp, this helps to target specific muscles on hind limbs and pelvic muscles on your dog for muscle strengthening.
Water hygiene is very important part of hydrotherapy and the water is tested three times a day to ensure that chlorine and pH levels are correct. The water is heated to 28°C to help relax muscles and increase their blood flow.
We have washing and drying facilities available. Your dog will be showered before and after entering the Aquatic treadmill to wash off the residual chlorine. The dog will be either dried using a towel or dryer blaster. 

HOW TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

• An individual therapy plan will be drawn up for each patient based on their past history, current condition and mobility.

• If you feel that your pet would benefit from Hydrotherapy treatment at the Blanchardstown Canine Hydrotherapy Centre, please discuss this with your Veterinary Surgeon.

• You can print out a copy of the referral form for your vet to fill in or they can print it out themselves.

• Your referring Veterinary Surgeon will fill in the referral form for your pet and fax or post it to the Hydrotherapy Centre.

• All Patients registered are veterinary referral only and your vet will decide whether your pet is suitable for the hydrotherapy treatment.

• You can phone the Canine Hydrotherapy Centre to make an appointment or the Hydrotherapist will ring you once the referral form has arrived at the Hydrotherapy Centre.

• The Hydrotherapist will remain in contact with your vet and provide him or her with a regular update on your pet’s progress.

• For any questions or information please do not hesitate to ring us at the Hydrotherapy Centre.

• To download the referral form please click on referral form page below.

THE HYDROTHERAPIST

The Canine Hydrotherapy Centre is run by Susan Reilly who is a Qualified Veterinary Nurse and has undertaken further specialised training for Canine Hydrotherapy and Rehabilitation at the Hawksmoor Hydrotherapy Training Centre and at the Greyfriars Canine Rehabilitation Centre in the UK.
Susan has worked for many years as a Veterinary Nurse and during the course of her work she saw the benefits of hydrotherapy to dogs in hydrotherapy centres while in the US and realised the need for such a centre in Ireland. She went to train in England with a view of making hydrotherapy available for dogs in Ireland.

PRICES