Front Matter

212 Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

dogs benefit with improved muscle tone and
better endurance.
The following is a list of advantages of cross
training for canine athletes (Zink, 1997)

● Engages commonly used performance
muscle in a different way.
● Increases use of muscles that are used
minimally on land.
● Increases joint flexibility due to greater
passive range of motion (PROM)/active
range of motion (AROM).
● Eliminates concussive forces to reduce joint
compression/stress.
● Maximizes cardiac output and pulmonary
conditioning.
● Provides a mental/psychological break
from land training.
● Maintains high training levels off season.
● Allows return to performance sport with
minimal training time.
● Reduces injury risk at early season
competitions.
● Allows for intense exercise during warm,
humid weather with no risk of overheating.

Getting started

The canine rehabilitation professional should

first obtain a complete history that includes

the patient’s comfort in water. The medical,

surgical, and sports injury history, including

comorbidities, medications, and supplements,

is obtained from the referring veterinarian.

The objective findings are listed during

physical evaluation. All subjective and objec-

tive information is integrated to formulate a

clinical assessment and aquatic therapy plan.

Measurable outcome goals are established

with the client. Overall condition and body

condition score are noted. The duration of

disability and degree of muscle atrophy

should  also be considered. The client’s

ability  to transport the dog to sessions is

also  factored into the equation. Each thera-

peutic program should be individualized, and

should not be standardized or pre‐formulated.

Documentation of all aquatic therapy sessions

is essential. Figure 9.2 shows an example of a

system used by one author (E.M.) to record

each aquatic therapy session.

Date

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10

Total

time

Min +

reps Rest Speed

Water

height Slope Aids Swimming

Jets /

stimulation Spa

Reaction

to

treatment

Harness :

Life vest :

Swim diaper :

Toys : yes / no

Treats :

Strength :

ROM :

Manual stimulation / motivation :

Air dry : yes / no Power :

Shampoo : yes / no

Figure 9.2 An example of an aquatic therapy record entry.