Cotswold Dog Spa Ltd was established in 2005 by Tessa Godman and Laura Burton. They met studying for a degree in Animal Science and after some years work experience in the canine field they decided to start their own company. The first phase of this was mobile dog grooming. Since 2005 Cotswold Dog Spa has established itself in the Gloucestershire area with a proud reputation for excellent dog grooming and customer service. Both Tessa and Laura have achieved their City & Guilds level 3 certificates in Advanced Dog Grooming.
Cotswold
Dog Spa are full members of the Canine Hydrotherapy Association
(CHA). The CHA is the only industry
recognised governing body and so has very strict membership regulations
regarding knowledge, practical standards and safety. As part of this
CDS must receive a veterinary referral before swimming any dog, must
have comprehensive insurance cover and have completed a number of
training programs including a Practical Training Scheme and Canine
First Aid. Further information can be found on www.canine-hydrotherapy.org.
Additional training courses covering Canine Anatomy, Orthopaedic
and Spinal Conditions have also been completed to fully understand
the surgery and treatments of the conditions seen in hydrotherapy
everyday.
Cotswold Dog Spa are focused on the all round well
being of dogs, specifically recovery from injuries and post operative
recuperation. We understand that hydrotherapy alone may not be enough
in all cases to allow a badly injured dog to make a fully and speedy
recovery.For this reason we plan to have visiting specialists in our
specifically
designed therapy rooms offering other canine therapies including canine
sports
massage, physiotherapy and alternative therapies.
We are located in the converted dairy of a quiet farm on the edge of the beautiful town of Winchombe, Gloucestershire.
What is Hydrotherapy?
Canine Hydrotherapy is now commonly thought of as an alternative and extension to traditional veterinary medicine. Immediate benefits of hydrotherapy which can be seen from the first immersion in water include; relaxation of muscle tension and spasm, reduction of swelling, increased active range of motion, decreased pain and decreased heart rate at rest. Longer term benefits of hydrotherapy include; increased muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness, improved muscle use, slowing the progression of degenerative diseases and the prevention of secondary complications.
Extensive research has demonstrated that a suitably monitored course of hydrotherapy acts by encouraging a full range of joint motion in reduced weight conditions, therefore improving muscle tone and promoting tissue repair without placing undue stress on damaged tissues. Hydrotherapy can be used in the treatment of many conditions; including orthopaedic, age related, neurological, degenerative and medical conditions and soft tissue injury (see Conditions).
We are members of the Canine
Hydrotherapy Association which means
insurance companies will usually cover our hydrotherapy if it is necessary
for the dogs condition. Please contact them to be sure.
Benefits of Hydrotherapy
Information is available on the CHA website and is shown below.
Conditions Hydrotherapy Can Help
Hydrotherapy can show huge benefits specifically in the treatment of the following conditions:
Hip and elbow dysplasia both pre and post surgery
Osteo Chondrosis Disease
Osteoarthritis
Fibrocartilagenous Embolism (Stroke)
Luxations and dislocations
Cruciate Ligament problems both pre and post surgery
Achilles tendon degenerative failure
Intervertebral Disc Disease
Degenerative Myleopathy
Rheumatic and septic arthritis
Every case is individual but as a guideline we advise most rehabilitation dogs swim twice a week for 5 weeks and then once or twice a week for a further 10 sessions. This programme will increase the dogs muscle balance and strength and a significant improvement will be seen. After this time depending on the condition it may be in the dogs best interest to continue swimming to maintain strength or they may be fully recovered.
Some owners may wish their dogs to swim purely for fun and fitness, in these cases we still require veterinary approval to check your dog is healthy.
Every dog and condition is individual and will be assessed for their suitability for hydrotherapy. There are some medical conditions, such as high grade heart murmurs or spinal neck injuries, which may mean we will not continue with hydrotherapy. This is in the dogs best interest as we don’t wish to make their condition worse. Other hydrotherapy centres with more veterinary backup may consider these cases for referral but please ensure the hydrotherapists are fully trained to deal with these conditions and are members of the CHA.
What Will Happen?
Before your first appointment we will discuss with you your pets individual problems and requirements. We will then fax your vet a form for him/her to sign to say they are happy with the health of your dog for hydrotherapy. If your dog is also undergoing any other treatments, such as physiotherapy or Ttouch, we will also contact these practitioners to check our treatments are planned together so as to give the best results for your pet.
Your first appointment may take up to an hour. Please come into reception without your dog so we can introduce ourselves and go through any paperwork undisturbed. We will then take some time to meet your pet and show you around. We will assess how your dog is coping with their injury/condition and start the hydrotherapy session by fitting a life jacket. On the first swim your dog may only be in the water for 5 minutes but this will ensure we don’t over exert your dog and we will build up their swim over the following weeks. We will help you shower off your dog, dry him/her and advise you of how they may react in the next few days.
In following treatments your dog will build up their time in the pool to a maximum of 25-30 minutes and if your are happy to do so, you can shower and dry your dog by yourself, but should you wish to have our assistance we are always happy to help.
Please note – your dog should not be
fed in the 2 hours before their treatment, the swim should replace their
usual exercise and try to ensure your dog has been to the toilet before
their appointment. We also recommend that during cold weather a dog-coat
is used.
We charge £25 per session or if you book a block of 10 sessions £250 you will get your 11th for free.
Cotswold Dog Spa has a specially designed canine hydrotherapy pool. The water filtration system is of the highest technical standard and is mainly by UV and sand filters, with a backup of low level Bromine, this keeps the pool water clean to the high stringent levels required by the CHA and means the dogs have very little chemical contact. The pool water is maintained at a constant temperature of 29°C.
The pool is 2x4 metres in size meaning it is large enough for staff to enter the pool with the dog they are swimming to encourage extra movement, provide support and reassurance, and monitor the dogs progression. The pool also has a power jet pump which means when fitness has been built up the dogs can be encouraged to swim against controlled levels of resistance.
We are in contact with registered physiotherapists and chiropractors
who can be called on to help with more complicated and post operative
cases
We also have Tace Allen working on our site who has moved on from Veterinary Nursing and is a qualified Canine Sports Massage Therapist.
We hope that alongside these experienced professionals we can give each individual dog the care it requires and deserves to recover from injury or prolong a good quality of life
Mobile Dog Grooming
We have been grooming in Gloucestershire since 2006. We have two specialised mobile grooming vans which means we do everything in the van and do not have to make a mess of your house. We can come to your place of work or anywhere that is convenient where we can plug our extension cable into electricity.
We both hold our City & Guilds Advanced Dog Grooming Certificate and are one of the few dog groomers in the area who have this level of recognition. Our grooming prices include a full groom – bath & dry, any clipping and trimming that is necessary, clipping nails and cleaning ears.
To contact us with regard to grooming please email us at
Prices include a complete groom - bathing, drying, brushing,
ear cleaning, nail trimming and clipping where necessary.
All prices dependent on condition of coat and behaviour of dog, i.e. if
particularly matted, aggressive or badly behaved we will charge more.
Forever Living Products offer a range
of natural, aloe based solutions, all offered with a 60 day
money – back guarantee. Tonic drinks, moisturisers and veterinary
spray all work wonders on numerous ailments.
If your dog, or you, suffer from skin
complaints, digestive problems or joint problems some of these
products may be able to help you.
We have selected below some of the most
useful products we use on our own dogs but please give us a
ring to discuss your individual needs and we can order the
products for you, or alternatively go to:
Multi-purpose spray used to sooth and cleanse.
Also adds shine and condition after bathing.
This pH balanced shampoo leaves
our dogs very shiny and with no worries about what we’re putting
on their coats.
Aloe is known as one of the most beneficial plants on earth.
This tonic drink with vitamins and minerals
assists in the digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Straight from the aloe plant. This easily absorbed
gel soothes and protects the skin.
Breakthrough’ formula drink with all the benefits of the
aloe gel plus glucosamine, chondroitin & MSM. Aids in the
maintenance of healthy joint function, connective tissues and
mobility.
As above with the added bonus of bee propolis,
a natural antibiotic, all in a soothing moisturising formula.
The pool is 2x4 metres in size meaning it is large enough for staff to enter the pool with the dog they are swimming to encourage extra movement, provide support and reassurance, and monitor the dogs progression. The pool also has a power jet pump which means when fitness has been built up the dogs can be encouraged to swim against controlled levels of resistance.
