Swimming on a regular basis is a great exercise for dogs with joint problems and arthritic pain in their backs. Large dogs with pain in the hips or back, will quit walking as much, and start to get atrophy or muscle wasting in their back legs. This causes a severe problem in large dogs as they progress to the point where they cannot get up off the floor without assistance. Water exercise allows muscles to be stressed, increases their strength, without causing jarring and pressure on the joints that hurt.
Try getting a life vest for your dog, so she can swim confidently and for longer periods of time. Use floating toys for her to retrieve in the water and keep the exercise period a fun playtime. Have some small treats available to keep her attention.
Also make sure you have her on joint supplements to help reduce the inflammation. There are also prescription anti–inflammation medicines such as Zubrin, Deramaxx, Rimadyl, and Etogesic which you can give 30 minutes before exercise.
Animal rehabilitation facilities are now growing in number. Most are associated with specialty veterinary clinics. These facilities have registered animal physical therapists to show you exercises to improve your dog´s mobility. They often also have underwater treadmills, in which your dog can walk, but in water up to her chest to prevent weight bearing on the joints that hurt.
And get weight off of her with a good weight reduction diet! Her joints will appreciate the lighter load. If she is an older dog and not loosing weight, ask your veterinarian to check her thyroid. Many dogs become hypothyroid as they age.
Sharon E. Anderson, DVM
