Hydrotherapy as Support for Dogs After Amputation
When your loyal companion needs an amputation, it can be a difficult and emotional decision for the whole family. And when the procedure has to be done suddenly, it can feel even more overwhelming. But believe me – there is hope and a way to get through it.
Amputations often save lives and can give your dog many more happy and high-quality years. That's exactly what I want to highlight in this article – that life doesn't end when a dog loses a leg.
Front or Back Leg – What's the Difference?
Dogs are four-legged, and their bodies are wonderfully adapted to that. This makes it much easier for them to cope with the loss of one leg than it would be for us humans, who only have two. But it's important to know that the front and back legs carry different amounts of weight and serve slightly different purposes.
Dogs carry about 60% of their body weight on their front legs and 40% on their back legs. The back legs are the "driving engine," propelling them forward, while the front legs help them steer, brake, and maintain balance and stability.
This means that dogs usually adapt more easily to the loss of a back leg. However, if a front leg is amputated, it will take a bit more time, patience, and support.
How Will Your Dog Adjust to the New Conditions?
After an amputation, your pet needs to learn how to keep balance, walk, change speed and direction, and simply manage everyday life as best as possible. At first, even ordinary movement may feel challenging, but with a little support, your dog will adapt quickly and soon enjoy life to the fullest again.
What Probably Worries You the Most
Of course, when a dog loses one leg, the remaining three have to carry more weight, and your pet has to move in a completely different way than the body is used to. This increases the risk of injuring one of the remaining legs, or that joint pain may develop over time.
In the images below, you can see how a dog's gait changes after a front-leg amputation – and why this can sometimes lead to problems.
What Does This Mean?
A dog's body works differently after an amputation – the healthy parts take on the load of the missing limb. Without targeted care and rehabilitation, this can quickly lead to further problems, pain, and limited mobility.
Hydrotherapy and physiotherapy are gentle, effective tools that help your dog regain balance, strengthen the right muscles, and prevent overload and pain.
How Hydrotherapy Can Help
This is where hydrotherapy and rehabilitation come in. In the first days and weeks after an amputation, a specialist can support both you and your dog as they learn new ways of moving and coping with everyday life.
Hydrotherapy – exercises and strengthening in water – helps build muscles in the remaining legs, improves overall fitness, and makes daily life easier for your dog. And on top of that – it's fun for them too!
Why Is Hydrotherapy So Great?
As we've mentioned, your dog now puts more strain on the remaining legs than before, which can lead to arthritis and other issues. Statistics show that up to 20% of dogs over one year old and as many as 80% of senior dogs suffer from arthritis. Yet, it's often an underestimated condition.
Hydrotherapy directly targets this problem – water reduces the pressure and stress on the joints, allowing your dog to strengthen muscles while sparing their legs.
Through swimming, your dog develops healthy movement patterns and reduces harmful ones. In addition, an experienced therapist can notice if something isn't right and refer you to a veterinarian early, ensuring your pet always receives the best possible care.
What the Future Holds
With a bit of luck, your three-legged friend still has many pain-free, joyful years ahead – full of playtime and family moments.
Even though they've lost a leg, you've gained a new "family" – a team of hydrotherapists and rehabilitation specialists who will stand by your side and support you every step of the way.
Written by: Stephanie Mach, CCBW, CCRP (Veterinary Physiotherapist, CEO Animal Prosthetics)