Helping pets shed some pounds - hydrotheraphy for obese and injured animals

Hydrotherapy and pool sessions are being used by vets to treat injuries and obesity, says Nuala Woulfe.

WE ARE becoming a nation of time-pressed fatties desperately trying to shape up at the gym — but now even our dogs are becoming obese and are swimming and working out on special treadmills across the country.

In the last few years, hydrotherapy centres have sprung up around Ireland, where dogs swim in special pools or exercise on hydro treadmills to lose weight. Initially a focus for rehabilitation, or as a means to tone up show dogs and race dogs before competition, Cork-based vet Joe Keane of Sunbeam Veterinary Hospital says they’ve now started using hydrotherapy more for overweight dogs.