Jess is our 10 year old Labrador, who has got bad arthritis in her front and back legs. She found it very difficult to walk further than a few yards before she had to rest. Her back legs used to splay out and she would collapse. She would need to be carried up and down stairs etc. Our vet at Downlands recommended hydrotherapy and told us about Four Paws Aqua. We have been bringing Jess to Four Paws since the middle of May, one session per week.

On the first session Jess was hoisted into the pool and was helped around in the water by Karen, to get Jess using her legs. Jess loves the water anyway and she did very well, although her back legs were not very strong, and she soon got tired. Since then she had still needed the hoist to get her in the water, but the sessions have got longer and her legs have got stronger every time. We can now take her for short walks again, her back hips and legs have got strong enough to support her without her swaying over, and she uses all four legs when she swims now. She loves going to the pool and gets really exited when we take her. In the last three or four sessions she has been able to make her own way up the slope into the pool and is able to chase toys around in the water. Karen has increased the time Jess has in the water to about twenty minutes, as she is that much stronger. Its incredible what a difference the hydrotherapy has made.

My name is Shani, (which is pronounced Sharni) I'm a two and a half year old Bullmastiff with a limp. My Mummy and Daddy took me to the vet's because every time I got up at night my leg would go stiff and I would limp.

The vet said I had a problem with my cruciate ligament and referred me to another vet. In the meantime I was to only go on short walks on a lead, which I hate because I can't play with all my friends down the beach.

When I went to see the other vet, who was a nice man so I gave him lots of kisses until he and my Dad rugby tackled me to the floor to look at my bad leg. He said that I had degeneration of the cruciate ligament in my rear leg and that I would have to have an operation. I didn't want this just yet as I'm not in pain, just a bit stiff at night when I run around a bit too much especially after that collie up the road. So my Mummy and Daddy said to the vet, is there anything they could do to help in the meantime. I could try hydrotherapy. Hydro what? I thought. Daddy said it was Swimming well not quite like that, he said "wimming". (I wish he would speak the the Queens English sometimes.)

So thats how I got to meet Karen and Megan. Megan gives me a shower before I start then Karen takes me for a swim and I do lots of exercise in the pool which is nice and warm. My Daddy is always telling her to make me pant, but I don't mind it helps my bad leg and keeps me fit. Karen lets me stop for a rest now and again, and for that I give her a kiss. Then comes my favourite bit Megan takes me for another shower and a nice rub down with a warm towel, so I give her lots of kisses too. It probably won't stop me having the operation but thanks to my friend Karen it helps me build the muscles up in my leg.

Well I must go now as Daddy wants to use the computer. He has more trouble than me with the keys.

Speak to you all soon

Shani Jacobs
Bognor Regis

Only 2 months later, Buddy suddenly developed a limp in his back leg and that same evening he couldn't move his back legs at all so we got him to the vet straight away for a check up.

He did regain the use of his legs but it was clear that he was in pain and couldn't put much pressure on his back legs. Following x-rays, we received the awful news that Buddy had marked hip dysplasia. The x-rays were sent to specialists who told us that 75% of dogs can live a normal life by taking supplements and having non-impact exercise, like swimming, which doesn’t cause damage to the joints but still strengthens the muscles.

Buddy's now had about 5 sessions of hydrotherapy with Four Paws Aqua and we can already see a great improvement. He doesn't limp much these days and runs and plays like a 6 months old puppy should, thank goodness!! Thanks to Karen and Staff.

Marion Wood
May 2008

I have an environment control box which was pluged in to be recharged, when she must have caught the lead with her paw and it fell on her lower back, she was rushed to the vets and spent seven days and nights in hospital.

They put her in an oxygen tent and gave me very little hope of her regaining use of her back legs.

They recommended hydrotherapy so i contacted Karen.

For the last three months she has grown stronger every week after her swim and cuddle in the warm water with Karen. I can't thank her enough for the help she's given Amber and I'm sure Amber would join me in saying we hope that her business also goes from strength to strength.

Very best wishes from Jeff and Amber xxx

(5 Star Rating - 19th April 2008. See this review on The Disc Directory)

Just wanted to say a big thankyou for all the help your given my dog Oscar to regain his figure!!!! He put on a bit of weight after being neutered a while ago but with the care and encouragement from you he's starting to look a lot healthier and happier!!!! I must admit he was rather nervous when he came to you on his first visit but has now grown with confidence and loves swimming with you, he knows he is in safe hands when he gets in the water and generally he has a good time, and he's exercising those muscles too!!!! So great job Karen and keep up the good work.

Best Regards

Jo - Havant, Hampshire.

I used to love chasing birdies and I think that's how I must have ruptured my cruciate ligament in my back leg last summer.  My Mum took me to our Vet and at the end of August I had to have a big operation on my knee which was not fun as I couldn't do much walking and certainly couldn’t chase the birdies any more.

The specialist Vet then recommend that I have hydrotherapy to help build up and strengthen my leg muscles - and I HATE water!

My Mum took me to meet Karen at Four Paws Aqua and I was very brave. Karen was lovely and kind to me and put a harness and lead on me to make me feel secure and got in the water with me so I didn't get scared.

I had two swimming sessions a week in the warm pool and soon became very brave in the water. I didn't mind it too much at all in the end and had a shower and a treat after. So now, after gradually building up my walking time and with the gentle swimming exercise with Karen I am starting to walk much better now and even feel like running a little bit when Mum's not looking!

Many thanks Karen for being so kind.

Love from Bella, licks, woof!

We were afraid of over working his leg. He would occasionally limp and psychologically he was nervous of doing certain activities such as going up and down stairs and getting in and out of the car. It had also knocked his confidence in playing with other dogs especially bigger dogs and he would become nervous and aggressive with dogs that got too close to his leg. One of the vets we see with Baxter even suggested we may require a second operation to correct his stance.

Since the hydrotherapy sessions his leg has improved so much we can’t believe the difference. Muscle is building up, his confidence has improved dramatically and his limp has almost gone. He is now more confident with other dogs and enjoys himself again.

Baxter is not a natural in the water, preferring the mud of the forest, but with Karen in the pool with Baxter and slowly building up his confidence he can now swim unaided and appears to really enjoy the sessions.

My Dad took me one week to see a lady called Karen, she is very nice, she gives me a shower and then takes me for a swim; I have to say at this point, that at first I hated water, but I was very brave and now after 4 weeks I love it!!

My Dad calls me in the pool, and I swim to him. Karen has been very patient as well, as I was a bit of a baby at first. I am thoroughly spoilt whilst I am there, having showers, and a shampoo and towel dry. Now I'm not stiff at all in the morning, and walking is much easier. The vet is pleased with me too.

I would like to say thank you to all the people that have helped me, hope to see each week for my treats.

Jess

I was a bit of a handful and liked a good rough game with my friends, but one weekend I was silly and went too rough, I started limping badly on my left back leg. I went to the vet and he gave me painkillers but they did not suit me so they were changed I then had a course of injections. He thought it was soft tissue damage. I did not improve so I had x-rays taken of both legs and my back and hips. The vet could not see a problem so sent the pictures off to a specialist in Bristol. He said I had a ruptured cruciate ligament in my left  back knee. I had to go to Bristol for an operation, but I came home the same day.

It was a big operation needing the bone to be cut, a section removed, a plate put in with screws, the damaged ligament removed. It is going to take a long time getting better.

I have had to have short walks every day gradually building up to 6 x 10 minute walks daily.

After 5 weeks my vet said I could go for Hydrotherapy, I have now been to Four Paws Aqua weekly for three weeks, first of all I was frightened, now I sing all the way through, I really enjoy it. I have just seen, my vet again for a check up and he thinks it is good for me to have swimming exercises  as I am still in pain from the operation and limp when I am at home.