Prehabilitation:

​To improve the dog’s physical condition: 

• before surgery to allow for better outcomes post op. 

• to strengthen a dog's body to prevent injury to live a healthy and good quality of life. 

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The goal is to:

1. minimise muscle loss

2. improve joint mobility

3. reduce pain

4. enhance overall fitness

 

​The best intervention is early/preventive intervention! 

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Hydrotherapy is not just for rehabilitation. Dogs without medical conditions can benefit too.  

Hydrotherapy can: 

•  effectively strengthen problem areas which can allow pets to avoid or delay surgical procedures.  

• Detect early subtle abnormalities or changes to a dog's gait or strength  

• Allow muscular asymmetries to be identified, measured, and monitored, meaning hydrotherapy programmes can be specifically tailored to target areas of weakness. This is important as it can reduce the likelihood of injury 

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In dogs, although direct studies on Prehab before surgery are more limited, we do know that early intervention helps: 

• prevent muscle atrophy 

• maintain joint range of motion 

• improve limb use ​​​​