10/08/2026
Unfortunately there’s not always a ‘fix’, physiotherapy isn’t just a few weeks of rehab from surgery or injury. In some cases it’s about lifelong maintenance and support whether that be keeping a sporting or working animal in peak condition or helping an animal manage a life long condition.
Pearl had her second session on the water treadmill this afternoon as part of her rehabilitation and ongoing fitness programme. 🐾
The aim is to build as much muscle as possible to support her body without putting unnecessary impact through her toes. With her spinal condition, it's a bit of a balancing act because she hasn't always tolerated the treadmill well in the past. However we increased the water level as much as possible to reduce the load, and so far, so good! 🤞🏼
Alongside her hydrotherapy, we've been keeping up with:
🐾 Swimming at least once a day (which Iris and Maisie are certainly enjoying too!)
🐾 20–40+ minute lead walks
🐾 Physiotherapy exercises at home
🐾 Gentle Hoopers, scent work and trick training to keep both her body and mind engaged
She hasn't had any proper off-lead time yet, as this seems to be when all the accidents happen but hopefully we'll be able to introduce that after her appointment next week. 🤞🏼 But we're really pleased with the progress she's making so far.
Unfortunately, she did have a slip at the bottom of the external pool ramp, which has set us back a little. With all of Pearl's underlying conditions, we've had to accept that she won't bounce back from little accidents in the same way a healthy dog might.
But our goal isn't perfection—it's to make her as strong, fit and resilient as possible, so those setbacks become fewer and further between. 💪
One thing that both Pearl and Iris's journeys has reinforced, is just how valuable physiotherapy can be. It's not just about recovery after injury; it's about helping dogs move better, feel stronger and stay active for longer.
Some of the benefits of regular physiotherapy include:
✔️ Building and maintaining muscle
✔️ Improving mobility and flexibility
✔️ Supporting joints and reducing the risk of injury
✔️ Helping dogs recover safely after surgery or injury
✔️ Identifying small issues before they become bigger problems
✔️ Keeping sporting and active dogs performing at their best
Whether you have a sports dog, a working dog or simply an active family companion, I honestly can't recommend regular swimming and physiotherapy highly enough.
🐾💚
