are you interested in working with essential oils with your dog?

 

At K9 Rehab Wellness Centre we often see clients for their post-surgery after care. One very common surgery is the ACL surgery. But not every dog is a candidate for orthopedic surgery! Other health concerns, old age or financial reasons can be reasons to look into other options to support your dogs optimal rehabilitation.

Whether you decide for a surgery or conservative management low- weight bearing exercises, our warm-water pool with knowledgeable staff provides everything you need to improve your pup’s rehabilitation process.

Effects of Hydrotherapy are (but not limited to): a sped up healing process, increased range of motion in joints and fascia, better blood circulation and a balanced muscle tone. – And there is more!

Help your dog recover – email us at info@k9rehab.ca for more information

 

enjoy this little tour through our retail area. We carry products that focus on your pet’s well-being and health, like tinctures, supplements and raw food and treats.

Client Izzy. Photo Credit: CTV Archives

Muscle Balance
Why is it Important?
Having a fit and healthy dog is important, in the long run will not only save you money but most importantly, give your dog the best quality of life.

    Your dog’s exercise, whether it be fun and playful or more structured,   should be diversified and hits their muscles in a balanced manner. While,   having a fit dog is important, unbalanced muscle tone in any dog can lead to   injury. Engaging your dog in specific exercises working both sides of the   body  and including both core and surface muscles are key to a proper   workout.  Releasing high-tone tense muscle and working low tone muscles   can significantly help balance you dog.

 For example, many dogs tend to inadvertently load their body weight onto their front legs more than their hind legs during
activity or if they have an injury, thus the front of the torso and limbs can become stronger than their hind end. This can lead to relative weakness in the hind end of the dog, leading to a higher risk of injury.

 
Client Izzy is a great example of what swimming can do for well defined, balanced muscles.
Photo Credit: CTV Archives

 Swimming in a warm water therapy pool is a great way to balance muscle tone as well as build any low tone muscles. A trained hydrotherapist uses techniques to build specific muscles and increase the range of motion in your dog’s joints. With the use of therapeutic techniques and activities in the warm water, specific muscle groups, mainly those protecting key joints such as the hips and stifle (knees), can be targeted to strengthen the dog and increase their mobility and range of motion.

 Warm water therapy allows for dogs to have fun and build confidence in the water. This activity also gives relief from aches and pains, while achieving a relaxed, balanced body. Weekly therapy in the pool is a great way to maintain muscles, and stay in shape -just like the gym or cross training, long term commitment is the goal.

 Being fit, healthy and balanced is the key to your dog having a great quality of life.

 

Open House Sunday, January 28 12pm-2pm

Our friends at Phoenix Rising Integrative Veterinary Care are happy to announce that they are ready to host their Open House here at K9 Rehab Wellness Centre this Sunday January 28 from 12pm – 2pm

You will have the opportunity to meet with Dr Radica Raj and Marieke who is now on the staff at Phoenix Rising. Marieke is a veterinary technician from Holland and is a firm believer in integrative medicine.

Phoenix Rising Integrative Vet Care
3831 Still Creek Avenue
Burnaby, BC V5C 4E2

There will be hot beverages and doughnuts, both vegan and non-vegan

We look forward to seeing you all there!

We love to Give Back To Dogs in Need.

Giving back is important to us. We offer regular pro-bono swims to adoptable dogs rescued from the BC SPCA Burnaby Branch.

Check out our video to see what a typical pro-bono swim looks like at our facility.

The simple answer is yes, there is a huge difference between an indoor pool and an outdoor pool when it comes to canine hydrotherapy. The biggest differential point- providing a controlled environment.

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An Indoor Pool Provides Consistent Warmth,

In and Out of the Water

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A benefit of warm water therapy is the ability to quickly warm up the muscles. Warm muscles mean an increase in range of motion in the joints to effectively build muscle and improve the condition of your dog. Having your dog exit the water into cold temperatures causes the muscles to tighten back up causing the therapy to stop, essentially wasting the progress made in the warmth of the water.

Our heated pool deck gives warmth to our clients as they are being dried off after their swim to keep their muscles warm, allowing the therapy to continue. This also provides a comfortable environment to the parents who are watching their pooch swim. Dogs requiring further warmth are suited in our retailed chilly dog bath robes or are blow dried in our commercial drying station located near the pool entrance.

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A Safe, Quiet Environment

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Our indoor pool is free of interruption from noises. This is very important if your dog is anxious or has reactivity and can easily be alarmed. It is important for your dog to experience the therapy aspect in canine hydrotherapy. Having an environment free from interruptions whether it be from noise, humans, or other dogs, gives the ultimate therapeutic experience. In order for a dog to completely relax they need to know that they are in a safe environment.
What better way to relax than to feel like the pool belongs to you? 

At K9 Rehab, we take everything into consideration to give you and your pet the ultimate spa experience, right down to the lighting. It is important to have good lighting during a hydrotherapy session as the therapist needs to accurately observe your dog in the pool without obstruction. Great lighting means our hydro-therapists can note the slightest abnormality, therefore adjusting accordingly to achieve proper swim style to build muscle back into correct formation.

Indoor hydrotherapy pools provide consistent warmth both in and out of the pool. The environment is controlled to be free of distractions, noise, and other dogs. An indoor pool provides the space for dogs and owners to feel relaxation, solitude, and safety.
At K9 Rehab we strive to provide a comfortable, professional hydrotherapy experience.