KinevetHydrotherapy
Animal hydrotherapy in Lasne: why water changes everything
A limping dog protects itself: it unloads the affected limb, loses muscle; muscle loss worsens the limp. Hydrotherapy breaks this cycle. In an underwater treadmill, water supports the body, resists movement and warms the tissues — three effects that, together, allow work to start earlier and last longer than on land.
At Kinevet, animal hydrotherapy takes place on an underwater treadmill: the dog walks in water that supports its body, resists movement and warms the tissues. Indicated after orthopaedic surgery, for osteoarthritis, dysplasia, overweight or neurological conditions, on veterinary referral, 1 to 2 times a week, in 30-minute sessions (55 €), in Lasne.
Before / after
The same cat, at the start of the programme and a few sessions later
Cats can do hydrotherapy too. These two clips show the same cat on the underwater treadmill: the first during one of the first sessions, the second later in the rehabilitation programme. Watch the gait from one session to the next.
As with dogs, a cat is treated on referral from your regular vet; water height and speed are adjusted to its size.
Four effects of water
Buoyancy
Immersed up to the top of the legs, the dog carries only part of its weight. The load on hips, knees and back drops; walking becomes possible again without pain.
Resistance
Water slows every movement. The same step demands far more muscular work than on land: the thigh and back line are rebuilt with short sessions.
Warmth
Warm water relaxes tense muscles and loosens stiff joints. The dog gains range of motion during the session, not only afterwards.
Progressiveness
Water height, speed and duration are adjusted to the centimetre. We start very low and increase session after session according to what the dog shows.
What we see in practice
- Earlier weight-bearing on the operated limb
- Recovery of thigh muscle mass (measured with a tape at each assessment)
- Better joint range of motion, dog less stiff on waking
- Weight loss in overweight dogs, without stressing the joints
- Dog keener on walks, livelier day to day
Rehabilitation supports veterinary treatment; it does not replace it. Results depend on the condition, age and regularity: no recovery time can be guaranteed in advance.
What a session looks like
- Welcome and assessment of the day. Gait, pain, general condition, how things went at home.
- Warm-up. Passive mobilisations and massage of tense areas.
- Underwater treadmill. 10 to 20 minutes of walking, water height and speed set for the day.
- Laser or electrostimulation if indicated, on the treated area.
- Drying and exercises to repeat at home. You leave with two or three simple instructions.
Duration 30 min, drying included (45 min for the first session, with assessment) · Usual rhythm 1 to 2 times a week
When to consult? Signs that deserve attention
A dog does not complain: it compensates. These everyday changes deserve a visit to your vet, who will decide whether rehabilitation is indicated.
- It gets up more slowly, especially after rest
- It hesitates at the stairs or before jumping into the car
- Its walks get shorter, it sits down on the way
- It licks or nibbles a joint
- Its hindquarters look thinner, less muscular
- Its mood has changed: less playful, more irritable when touched
These signs are not a diagnosis. Diagnosis and treatment remain with your regular vet.
And simply to get back in shape?
Yes. Walking in water works the endurance and muscles of a healthy dog with no impact on its joints: sedentary dog, senior slowing down, sporting dog preparing for its season. The initial assessment rules out contraindications and sets the programme; the rhythm is decided together according to the goal.
Hydrotherapy prices
| Service | Duration | Price incl. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| First hydrotherapy session (assessment included) | 45 min | 83 € |
| Hydrotherapy session | 30 min | 55 € |
| Subscription of 6 hydrotherapy sessions | 6 sessions | 300 € |
| Subscription of 10 hydrotherapy sessions | 10 sessions | 480 € |
| Subscription of 20 hydrotherapy sessions | 20 sessions | 900 € |
Payment on site; subscriptions are paid at the first visit. The first session (assessment included) is the first visit: locomotor examination, baseline measurements, written rehabilitation plan, report to the regular vet and first walk in the water.
Which dogs? Post-operative, osteoarthritis, dysplasia, overweight, neurology, sport →
Frequently asked questions
Questions about hydrotherapy
My dog doesn’t like water. Is hydrotherapy still possible?
Yes, in the vast majority of cases. The underwater treadmill is not a pool: the dog keeps its paws on the floor, the water rises gradually and there is never any forced swimming. The first session is used to get the dog used to it, with the tank empty and then only slightly filled, with rewards.
Dogs that are reluctant at first usually walk in without difficulty after two or three sessions. If the apprehension persists, the session focuses on mobilisations and laser; water is reintroduced later.
My dog has nothing in particular: can I simply come to get it back in shape?
Yes. Hydrotherapy also suits the healthy dog that lacks exercise, the senior that is slowing down or the sporting dog preparing for its season: walking in water works endurance and muscles with no impact on the joints. We start with a first session with assessment, which rules out contraindications and sets the programme.
The rhythm is decided at the assessment according to the goal: fitness, weight, sports preparation. Your regular vet is kept informed if you wish.
How many sessions should I plan for?
It depends entirely on the indication. After cruciate ligament surgery, a series of six to twelve sessions over six to eight weeks is common. For osteoarthritis, it is long-term maintenance, with one session every one to two weeks.
The initial assessment gives an estimate, reassessed over the sessions according to what the dog shows. Subscriptions of 6, 10 and 20 sessions exist for hydrotherapy and a 6-session package for laser; they are paid at the first visit, during which a plan is established.
Is it painful for the dog?
No. Hydrotherapy is used precisely because it unloads the joint and reduces pain on exertion. The laser produces at most a feeling of warmth. A dog showing discomfort stops the session: the work always stays within the limits it indicates.
The veterinarian adjusts water height, speed and duration at each session; nothing is forced.
How do I prepare for the session?
No large meal in the two hours beforehand, a short walk so your dog relieves itself before coming in; bring its towel and its health record. Keep a blanket in the car: after drying, a dog remains a little damp.
If your vet has given you a referral or a surgical report, bring it to the first session.