What are the causes of pet dental problems?

The most common cause of dental problems in pets is tooth decay. This can be caused by poor oral hygiene or a diet inappropriate for their age and breed. Teeth grinding also contributes to dental issues, as well as the fact that some people have pets with special diets such as dry food or raw diets that are difficult to chew correctly. If your pet has any signs of bad breath or an unpleasant smell coming from its mouth, make sure you take it in for checkups at least once every six months (or more often if there are other concerns).

How often should dogs have their teeth cleaned by a vet?

It depends on the age, health, and breed of your pet. If you are unsure how often to have your dog’s teeth checked, it is good to err on the side of having them checked more often than not enough. Generally speaking, most dogs under two years old should have their teeth cleaned every four months, while older breeds may require annual visits. If your dog has been eating hard foods or chewing toys made of hard plastic, such as rope or rope toys that can wear down their gums quickly, then consider having them examined at least once every six months for dental health reasons alone (and possibly even more frequently).

How much does a dog dentist cost?

The cost of a pet dental checkup depends on the type of work that needs to be done. If you have an older pet, they may need more frequent visits than younger animals do. You can also expect to pay for any services related to dog dental cleaning, such as scaling and polishing. Most vets charge between $40 and $60 per visit (with discounts available). Pet owners should schedule regular checkups at least once every six months; this allows them time for any problems with their pets’ teeth or gums before they become severe enough for surgery.

Dog Hydrotherapy in Dubai | Water Treadmill & Physio

Skip toWhat Is Hydrotherapy Treadmill vs Swimming What to Expect Is It Right for My Pet FAQ

Hydrotherapy for pets is one of the most rapidly adopted and effective rehabilitative techniques used today in veterinary medicine. The modality of hydrotherapy that we carry out here at Modern Vet is scientifically based and thus involves using an underwater treadmill. This patient exercise setting provides a controlled therapeutic environment in which pets can exercise in water. It is beneficial in recovery from injury or following surgery, it is ideal for chronic joint problems such as arthritis, and it builds general strength and fitness in pets.

Key Reasons Why Your Pet Benefits From Hydrotherapy:

Aids Recovery After Surgery Or Injury (Ligament, Hip, Or Spinal)

Boosts Confidence In Pets Afraid Of Water

Reduces Joint Pain, Stiffness & Arthritis Discomfort

Provides Warm Water Therapy For Pain Relief & Relaxation

Builds Muscle Strength Without Stressing The Joints

Customised Programs Based On Your Pet’s Condition & Progress

Improves Mobility, Gait, And Balance In Neurological Cases

Safe For Senior Pets, Cats, And Overweight Animals

Encourages Safe Weight Loss & Improves Fitness

Supervised By Qualified Rehabilitation Therapists

Enhances Cardiovascular Health & Endurance

Available At Modern Vet With State-Of-The-Art Underwater Treadmill

What Is Hydrotherapy with an Underwater Treadmill?

Hydrotherapy is the use of prescribed exercises, often conducted with a physiotherapist, which take place in water, using the properties of water (buoyancy, resistance, and warmth). One of the best ways to take advantage of these benefits is by using the underwater treadmill.
An underwater treadmill has a waterproof unit into which the pets walk dry.

After the pet enters, the tank is filled with warm water to a specific depth, depending on the needs of each pet. The treadmill is switched on next and the pet is walked or lightly jogged on it, while the therapist supervises. Such as, the velocity, slope, and depth of water could be tailored for a certain treatment purpose. Having a controlled environment allows us to set up rehab or conditioning programs that are both productive and safe for the animal.

What are the benefits of the underwater treadmill?

Hydrotherapy on an underwater treadmill works with a combination of water’s healing benefits: buoyancy, resistance, and warmth, while controlled by a therapist.

Reduced Weight-Bearing for Pain Relief

Water buoyancy provides support to the pet’s body, relieving it of at least some of its body weight during exercise. In fact, this can reduce weight-bearing by as much as 80%. These are also great for pets with joint pain, post-surgery soreness, or age-related arthritis, making walking easier.

Warm Water for Good Feelings and Healing

The water is warmed to a practical and comfortable temperature. Weight and temperature combined make the water therapeutic. Together, these effects can accelerate the healing process and improve comfort during exercise.

Resistance for Strength and Fitness

Water gives resistance naturally in all directions. While your pet is moving, they are simultaneously working against a softer, but substantial resistance, allowing them to build muscle tone/strength, without placing excess joint strain on the tissues. Resistance will also improve cardiovascular health, which is helpful in rehabilitation and conditioning working or sporting dogs.

Gait and Movement Pattern Improvement

Walking in an underwater treadmill will promote and allow your pet to establish a proper walking motion and naturally use its limbs. This will be achieved in animals limping or compensating due to an injury. Likewise, the belt system of the underwater treadmill will facilitate proper paw placement and welcome standard joint extension, which cannot be achieved by swimming alone.

Sensory Feedback for Nerve Rehabilitation

The water will gently stimulate the skin, nerves, and muscles to give necessary sensory feedback to the pet undergoing a normal recovery from a neurological condition or spinal injury.

A Customised and Controlled Experience

A good part of the benefit of the underwater treadmill versus swimming is the amount of control it affords. The rehab professional has control of:

Water depth (to accommodate buoyancy and level of resistance to specific muscle groups)
Treadmill speed
Treadmill Incline Level
Degree of exercise to individual limbs.

This control allows the individual sessions to be structured to best fit one pet’s medical condition, temperament, and level of progress.

Comfort for Anxious Pets

Many pets are fearful of water and swimming, especially if it is their first time; this is because the underwater treadmill does not have the same intimidating quality to it since the pet is dry when they enter, and they are slowly increased in water depth from the base when they are raised from the treadmill. Also, because their feet remain on the ground, most pets, even those who dislike swimming, become desensitised and can tolerate more than they may have thought.

Does an underwater treadmill provide greater benefit than swimming?

Although swimming builds endurance, provides another cardiovascular workout, and serves as a true low-impact workout, an underwater treadmill allows for more directed and specific conditioning.

Swimming utilizes the body in different ways, in that it favors limb flexion, and second, in that it demands overall stamina. Still, it may not retrain expected walking, nor target specific injuries so specifically. Therapists can promote a symmetrical gait, control the amount of joint extension, and reintroduce weight-bearing activity gradually and safely on the underwater treadmill.
The underwater treadmill is a popular first option for orthopedic or neurological injury rehabilitation. Swimming can be utilized as part of later stages in a treatment program, or, when appropriate, as an adjunctive activity for pets that enjoy it.

Conditions That Benefit from Underwater Treadmill Hydrotherapy

An underwater treadmill can be a component of the therapy for many conditions, including:

Arthritis and joint problems in older pets
Post-surgical recovery (e.g., ligament repairs, hip or spinal surgeries)
Neurological conditions that affect movement and coordination
Orthopaedic injuries like fractures or dislocations
Muscle atrophy from a long period of decreased activity
Obesity, weight loss and management programs
Sports conditioning for working dogs, agility or other competitors, and canine athletes
General fitness and injury prevention for active pets

Services Offered At A Pet Hydrotherapy Clinic Include:

Underwater Treadmill Rehabilitation Sessions

Gait & Balance Re-Training With Therapist Supervision

Post-Surgical Recovery & Mobility Restoration

Customized Water Depth, Speed & Incline Settings

Arthritis & Chronic Joint Pain Management

Warm-Water Therapy For Pain Relief & Relaxation

Weight-Loss & Fitness Conditioning Programs

Sports Conditioning For Working & Agility Dogs

Neurological & Spinal Injury Rehabilitation

Hydrotherapy For Senior & Overweight Pets

Orthopaedic Injury Recovery & Strength Rebuilding

Professional Monitoring By Certified Rehabilitation Team

What You Can Expect During an Underwater Treadmill Session

If you have never seen or tried this type of therapy, we will break down the session step by step:

Initial Assessment

The therapist will assess your pet’s mobility and gait and take a complete history to evaluate their health. They will review the diagnosis from the veterinarian and set a goal for the session.

Acclimatization

Your pet will walk into the chamber when the treadmill is dry. This allows them to become familiar and feel safe before adding water. The water will slowly rise from the bottom to the appropriate depth for the exercise session.

Exercise Phase

The treadmill will begin at a slow pace. The therapist will adjust the water’s speed, incline and height to accommodate your pet’s progress and comfort.

Supervision and Encouragement

A trained therapist will be alongside your pet during the session. The therapist will assist your pet by gently encouraging and using toys or treats.

Cool Down and Drying

Once your pet’s exercise session is over, the therapist will drain the water and lead your pet safely out of the treadmill. Your pet will be dried with towels or a drying coat and monitored as they cool down.

Is Hydrotherapy Right for My Pet?

Hydrotherapy is suitable for most pets, including those who are elderly, overweight, recovering post-injury/surgery, and requiring gentle conditioning. It’s also appropriate for cats when administered by a professional.
But there are a few instances where hydrotherapy might not be the right treatment — in animals that have uncontrolled heart disease, untreated infections or severe open wounds, for example. It is highly recommended to have your pet examined by a veterinarian first.

Takeaway

Underwater treadmill hydrotherapy provides a science-based, humane way for pets to rehabilitate, move more freely, and live longer, happier lives. From post-surgical rehab, chronic joint pain, and weight loss to advanced sports conditioning, the underwater treadmill is a modern modality that can be fully customized to your best friend’s needs. The sessions are all therapist-led, safe, and the environments, and even skittish pets that are leery of the water quickly acclimate due to the controlled environments and soon come to enjoy their visits. Reduced pain & stiffness will help your pet to live a more active, longer & more fulfilling life!

Book a hydrotherapy consultation at Modern Vet today, and let our rehabilitation experts create a tailored underwater treadmill program to suit your pet’s needs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION

What Happens During an Underwater Treadmill Session?

Pets are slowly introduced to the treadmill when they are dry. Water is introduced slowly in the treadmill basin so the pet always feels the bottom surface below their feet. The veterinarian or hydotherapist adjusts the treadmill speed and water depth. The hydotherapist stays with your pet to guide and encourage them during the session.

How Long is Each Session?

A single session is usually 15–30 minutes. This time is long enough for a sufficient workout without tiring your pet too much! Sessions and frequency will vary depending on your pet’s condition, anticipated outcomes, and their response. Some pets may need it once a week, every two weeks (particularly those in rehab or weight loss), or not as often, maintaining or conditioning for competitive events.

What if my Pet Hates Swimming or Water?

Most pets that show a lot of fear associated with swimming do fine on the underwater treadmill. Most pets feel secure because they will walk into the tank dry, and the water will only rise to the required level. The solid surface under their feet and gradual acclimatisation often help even timid pets become comfortable.

What Should I Bring to Each Session?

You are welcome to bring towels or a drying coat for your animal. You may also get some rewarding treats or a favourite toy. It might be best to avoid feeding your pet for two hours before the session, and you should take your pet for a bathroom break before making your way to the clinic.

Can Hydrotherapy Help My Overweight Pet Lose Weight?

Yes. Hydrotherapy is an excellent weight-loss tool because it can burn calories, build muscle, and help with joints. It also has a low risk for further injury. If there is dietary management with some underwater treadmill sessions, we can help your pet lose weight and maintain a healthier weight.

How Quickly Will I see Results?

Depending on your pet’s current condition, you may see some increase in stamina, mobility and enthusiasm within a few weeks of starting therapy. For more chronic issues or significant injuries, improvements may take longer. Therapeutic programs generally require several months of treatment, and each plan is tailored specifically to your animal. The therapist will note how your pet progresses and will constantly assess whether it is necessary to change program content or scale up or down as required.

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WHY CHOOSE MODERN VET DUBAI

Caring for an animal is much more than having medical knowledge. It requires dedication and empathy. Here’s what we’re doing differently at our clinic because pets deserve a higher level of care. That’s why numerous families from every part of the city keep choosing us.

EXPERIENCED VETERINARIANS

Our veterinarian doctors have years of training, advanced certifications, and a love for animals. Whether it’s a check-up or surgery, we’ll give your pet the best care.

MULTILINGUAL VETERINARY STAFF

Clear communication improves outcomes. Our team of multilingual staff guarantees that you always understand the instructions so your visits become less stressful for both you and your animal.

24/7 VETERINARY CARE IN DUBAI

Health issues don’t wait for convenient hours. Our clinic is open all day, so our professionals can help you whenever you need it.

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MEET THE TEAM

Modern Veterinary Clinic is the only multi-specialty 24-hour vet hospital in the UAE, and this is not the only reason to take pride in ourselves. What’s more important is that we have gathered true specialists here. They are all focused on the same goal: making your beloved pets healthier. Every veterinary doctor in our clinic is an expert in their field. It’s a great honor to run a multinational team with years of expertise and numerous successful cases of healing our best furry best friends. Rest assured that with our team, your pet will be in safe hands!

DR. LUCIANO DE GATICA

DVM

Modern Vet Palm

Luciano de Gatica graduated in 2005, as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, from Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP) in Argentina. He gained extensive experience in the field of general and…

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