A rabbit from Dorset has had
hydrotherapy for arthritis, a treatment more commonly given to dogs and
horses. Heidi, a four-year-old continental giant rabbit, has had sessions in a heated
pool while wearing a lifejacket.
Hydrotherapy pool owner Linda Prove admitted she was sceptical when a vet
referred the rabbit, but the treatment was "working incredibly well". Heidi's owner Amanda Williams, from Christchurch, said her pet took to it
like a "duck to water".
YouTube link.
Heidi, who weighs about 7kg, had been diagnosed with arthritis in her hips
and knees and spondylosis in her neck. Ms Prove, owner of the pool in Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire, said: "We've had
lots of success with dogs - it's good for the joints as it gets them moving and
means they don't stiffen up."
While rabbits can swim in the wild, Heidi wears a buoyancy jacket during the
sessions and is carefully dried afterwards to prevent hypothermia. Ms Williams said: "None of us thought she would tolerate even one minute in
water. She is certainly a lot more lively and is obviously benefiting from this
treatment."
There are more videos of Heidi in the pool here.
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