How long is your dog in the water at hydrotherapy?

[Ditzyitzy]

Been taking my dog for months and the longest she’s ever been in the pool is 12 minutes of a half hour session, today it was 4 minutes because it’s been hot today? I know swimming in a strenuous but this is a dog that has to be dragged out of water after hours! Are these timings typical of hydro?

Not sure exactly, but I think they have protocols to follow - something like 2 minute swim, followed by 2 minute rest, check pulse and respiratory rate etc
It is more strenuous than just jumping in the river- the water is deeper and warm, our therapist makes ddog swim in certain directions to work her bad side, uses rubber bands to make certain muscles work harder etc

Not totally sure this is helpful but I took mine to a hydro pool recently just for the fun of it and to make sure he can swim before a boating holiday later this year. He was in the water for about 30 mins - but that was a combination of swimming round then standing on the ramp for a few minutes. If I counted the actual minutes he was swimming, I should imagine it wasn't much more than 10 mins. He was absolutely exhausted afterwards, but this is likely to be more to do with the mental load of it all...

It depends on the dogs fitness & condition if rehabilitation as don't want to over do it and have stiff/lame dog after, it maybe they've worked harder that session in less time or dog seems off so do less. 4 minutes isn't much how was your dog, did they seem more tired or less enthusiatic than usual?
Most do a lap or 2 and then rest for minute, longer if heart rate up/panting hard. Very fit & healthy dogs generally do about 20 minutes in pool with reduced rest breaks at hydrotherapy centre I use.

Dog isn’t lame/knackered after, yesterday she wanted a walk as soon as we got home she isn’t overly energetic either. The timings I gave include rest breaks/being on the ramp. I think we will stop doing it during the summer months as can’t justify the cost for a few minutes when it’s warm!

My spaniel went to hydro for recovery after cruciate surgery, and continued to go to keep his weight in check with reduced exercise as he got older and to give extra relief for pain in hips.

He was usually in the water 18-22 minutes of a 30 minute appointment. That includes rest periods on the ramp (which he used as an excuse to cuddle and snog the hydrotherapist!!)