Swimming!
All animals can swim by instinct. How
much they enjoy it depends on their confidence in the water and this can be increased
by gradual acclimatisation.
Swimming helps to improve general fitness and stamina, improves
muscle tone and is helpful in recovering from injury or operation.
Andrew is shown here helping one of the
Guide Dog puppies after a Cruciate operation
Muscle wastage begins within 3 days of any immobilisation so to prevent
further weakness or injury it is important to rebuild, through safe exercise,
any muscles that have deteriorated. It is better to swim dogs in heated water
since cold water causes constriction of the blood vessels near the skin and to
the superficial muscles (those just under the skin) which restricts the flow of
blood making the muscles less efficient.
Swimming is an excellent form of exercise because most of the muscles
normally used in movement are involved - without the stresses caused by running
on hard ground. On land, each footfall creates a shock wave which travels up
the limb and is absorbed by bones, tendons and joints. While these stresses are
necessary to maintain healthy, strong bone if severe, or repetitive, these
shock waves can actually damage or weaken the limb, particularly an arthritic
joint or one recovering from an injury or surgery. Swimming allows the
"working out" and strengthening of the muscles while avoiding this
potentially damaging concussion. Also, because of the increased resistance to
movement, the muscles have to work harder than they would do on land.
Cardiovascular workout
Lungs
Under water, the chest is under
pressure from the weight of the water squeezing inwards. This means that every
breath requires more effort - the muscles used, particularly in breathing in,
have to work harder (try breathing while someone sits on your chest). As any
muscle strengthens with exercise, this improves the whole respiratory system.
Morgan (Leonberger)
taking a break from a workout!
Heart
The heart has to work harder in order
to meet the increased demand for nutrients by all the muscles which are being
worked.
If all this sounds like hard work -
it is - that's the idea!
For a dog, a 5 minute swim is
equivalent to about a 5 mile run! The
natural buoyancy of the water and the fact that sudden twists, stops and falls
are impossible makes hydrotherapy a safe and effective form of exercise for
dogs.
Swimming can be used
as part of a planned fitness program.
Many racehorse trainers use swimming therapy as a regular part
of their animals' fitness regime and have purpose built pools on their premises
so that they can swim their animals regularly.
However all effective training programmes must contain the
elements of stress that the animal is likely to face in competition. That is
why, for example, showjumpers must practise jumping as well as improving their
general fitness in terms of the cardiovascular and respiratory system. This is
because bones are living tissue and adapt - "remodel" - in response
to exercise. It is necessary to tell the bone where the areas of stress are
going to be so that it can remodel and strengthen in preparation for "the
event". This is why hydrotherapy should not be used on its own - swimming
strengthens muscle but does little or nothing for bone. Your dogs must also
have normal exercise on land in order to keep their bones strong.
GET VETERINARY
ADVICE!!
Most dogs will cope quite happily with swimming as a form of
exercise therapy. However in the case of an old or unfit animal, or one
recovering from an injury or surgery you must get advice from your vet before
taking it swimming.
If in any doubt at all - ASK YOUR VET!
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