Starting in 2006 with an above ground pool, Hainault Hydrotherapy has continually grown and invested in training and equipment to be able to provide the best treatments available in a safe, welcoming well maintained centre.

Our pool is 5m x 3m allowing us to swim any size and breed of dog. We find being half below and half above ground is the optimum level for your dog as they are at a very similar level to you the owner as when they are walking on the ground allowing greater interaction which we find helps keep the dog at ease and more relaxed.

Our hydrotherapy pool is also equipped with swim jets, which are useful for additional sensory input when a patient has suffered a neurological injury.

The pool is heated between 28 to 30 degrees which is the optimum temperature for rehabilitation. It is crucial that the water used for hydrotherapy is kept at the correct temperature because the thermal effect promotes the circulation of blood flow to the muscles thereby improving the oxygen supply and helps reducing swelling and tight muscles to relax. Swimming in cold water can actually be counter-productive as it reduces blood circulation. Cold muscles are more likely to stiffen up and cramp and could do further damage.

The water is tested at least 3 times daily with results recorded and analysed to ensure the quality of water and levels of chlorination are at safe optimal levels at all times.

All sessions are carried out with a fully trained hydrotherapist in the pool with your pet ensuring the greatest range of movement and benefit is achieved from each session. Each dog will be fitted with an appropriate floatation jacket or harness depending on their mobility, to ensure this is a safe controlled environment.

Our aqua treadmill is the latest state of the art Tudor treadmill and is an amazing rehabilitation tool. It has dual entry/exit doors and has foot placing either side so your hydrotherapist can accompany your pet if needed throughout the session. This allows them to guide and support them with gait re education where necessary. The treadmill is ideal for dogs to exercise whilst supported by the warm water to gain an excellent range of movement in the limbs and encourages extension, flexion and placement of the feet in a very controlled environment. The ability to vary the depth of the water, the incline and the speed enables us to achieve the correct gait pattern for the patient. It allows us to cater for dogs of all sizes and abilities. Adjusting the water height allows us to increase or decrease the resistance the dog is walking against and reduce the load on the dog’s joints. The clear glass construction of our treadmill allows the hydro therapist the luxury of being able to see the whole gait of your pet unimpeded. The treadmill is particularly useful for animals with orthopaedic or spinal conditions and is also beneficial for those with heart or respiratory problems that find swimming in the pool too exhausting. Not forgetting dogs that are water phobic or who simply prefer to have 4 paws on the ground.

Despite the fact that cats are not naturally water lovers we’ve had good results over the last couple of years and have found it has been very useful in conjunction with physiotherapy.

Each session is unique to your pets needs and will be carried out by a fully trained hydrotherapists.

The water is tested at least 3 times daily with results recorded and analysed to ensure the quality of water and levels of chlorination are at safe optimal levels at all times.

Hainault Hydrotherapy are able to offer the latest class IV Laser therapy to assist your pets rehabilitations, K-Laser therapy is a non-invasive way of stimulating the body’s natural healing process, the body’s inherent healing mechanisms, through a combination of different wavelengths, power and frequency of laser light. Using K-LASER as part of your treatment plan we are able to achieve improved healing times, pain reduction, increased circulation and decreased swelling.

K-Laser Dynamic therapy uses several pulse frequencies to produce a combination of analgesia, inflammation reduction, bio stimulation and antimicrobial effects, thus accelerating the regeneration of tissues and increasing cellular energy. Cells are then able to absorb nutrients more quickly and eliminate waste substances. As a result of the exposition to laser light, the cells that constitute tendons, ligaments and muscles are repaired more quickly.

Class IV Laser therapy can help treat a wide range of conditions effectively and without pain:

• Joint Pain and Osteoarthritis
• Tendonitis
• Edema and Congestion
• Chronic pain / Lameness
• Fractures / Sprains / Strains
• Trauma, Puncture Wounds
• Dermatitis
• Neck and Back Pain
• Hip Dysplasia
• Burns, Infected & Chronic Wounds
• Rehabilitation
• Recovery from surgery

For more information please see our dedicated K-Laser Website (link)

Our state of the art stance analyser provides early detection and treatment evaluation of lameness, this technology allows us to compare previous readings to accurately evaluate the success of their rehabilitation program and fine tune their treatment plan to achieve faster results and maximise recovery. Clinical benefits include:

• Aids in lameness detection and evaluation
• Provides statistical observations
• Provides reliable assessment of progression
• Provides objective unbiased data
• Eliminates subjective interpretations
• Quick and easy non-invasive diagnosis method
• Validates rehabilitation programmes

Easily track patient progression. The stance Analyser is a tool that enables your therapist to get a better understanding of weight distribution for that patient and is particularly useful for monitoring treatment plans and identifying early lameness.

Both the Pool and treadmill room are fitted out with a dedicated shower and drying area allowing your dog to be rinsed, shampooed and dried in a relaxed safe environment without distractions. We ask owners to bring a towel for drying the animals and on colder days a coat to help keep their pets warm on the journey home.

At Hainault Hydrotherapy we have a purpose-built kennel situated just a short walk from the pool in which we can house dogs of all sizes for in patient care. This is often used for dogs that need intensive physiotherapy or hydrotherapy daily. This is useful for owners that work or would otherwise find it difficult to visit our centre on such a regular basis, it can also be less stressful for the dog not having to travel every day.