Case Study

Name: Marley

Breed: Labrador

Age: 9 years old

Reason for Hydrotherapy

Bilateral Hip Dysplasia

Marley started to attend Bluewaters Canine Hydrotherapy Centre on 17th September 2016. After jumping over a sea wall his owner noticed him limping, he was x-rayed and found to have hip dysplasia. Marley‘s veterinary surgeon was also keen for Marley to lose some weight so his owner turned to hydrotherapy for a safe way to build up his hind limb muscles, and also reduce his weight without excessive land based exercise that would affect his joints.

Marley was slightly nervous to start with but soon started to thoroughly enjoy his sessions in the hydrotherapy pool. He loves water and a tennis ball so it didn’t take him long to figure out that hydrotherapy can be really good fun! Marley‘s hind limb extension has always been quite good in the pool but has improved since the start of his treatment, he does abduct both hind limbs (kicks them out to the side slightly).

Marley has benefited massively from his hydrotherapy, and he loves it! So it’s a win win situation as far as we are all concerned! His muscle mass has increased on all four limbs since the start of his treatment and his muscle mass on his hind limbs is now even whereas before there was a 2cm difference. Marley has lost weight and lost 2 kg off his waist measurement which is fabulous!

Marley‘s owner has been delighted with his progress and reports that Marley hardly ever limps now. He is full of energy and life and almost like a puppy again. Marley attends the centre once a fortnight and cries to come in when he arrives, he certainly loves his swimming! He can be a bit of a cheeky boy and won’t always let go of his tennis ball when he has it, but we’ll forgive him as he is such a lovely lad and a real pleasure to have at the centre.

Marley jumped over a sea wall and I noticed him limping for a few days afterwards, he was scanned and found to have moderate hip dysplasia.

Hydrotherapy has made such a difference, he was a little overweight and we needed to get the weight off to improve his hips, until he started at hydro I had no idea that he was suffering, as soon as the weight came off due to the swimming and diet he had so much more energy, he was like a puppy again. That was 3 years ago, now he’s almost 9 and we go to Bluewaters fortnightly for a swim and will continue to do so for the rest of his life.

Marley loves his swimming sessions, he cries he’s so excited to get into the pool. He is so confident; Julie, Holly and Laura are always amazing with him. I would recommend hydro to any dog owner and especially the Bluewaters team.

Gemma

Marley's Owner