A single hydrotherapy session increases range of motion and stride length in Labrador retrievers diagnosed with elbow dysplasia

Range of motion was greater in the healthy dogs at baseline (P < 0.05). Hydrotherapy increased the range of motion of the forelimbs of both groups (P < 0.05); dogs with elbow dysplasia demonstrated a greater improvement in range of motion than healthy dogs (P < 0.05). Hydrotherapy stride length (P < 0.01) of all dogs, but differences were not seen between the two groups. Stride frequency increased after hydrotherapy only in the left limb (P < 0.05) in all dogs. These results support the potential of canine hydrotherapy as a therapeutic tool for the rehabilitation and treatment of Labradors with elbow dysplasia. Furthermore, results indicate that hydrotherapy might improve the gait and movement of healthy dogs. However, whether these results are transient or sustained remains undetermined.