Cat News Friday - Hydrotherapy for Healing

Hydrotherapy is a healing method that has been used in the rehabilitation of injured dogs and humans for many years. It involves the rebuilding of weak and damaged muscle tissue in an animal, and the improvement of its overall fitness.

Cats, often considered aquaphobic, tend not to be prime targets for hydrotherapy.

That is, until Sue Wilson's little black cat Tootsie came along. 

Though you would hardly notice today, Tootsie had been victim to a hit and run. Her entire right leg had been shattered, in addition to a number of other serious injuries. Both Sue and the veterinarians she had gone to see believed that putting Tootsie down was the only humane option. 

However, Tootsie's fate had not quite been sealed. 

Vets decided that it would be worth trying hydrotherapy in a two-foot deep dog pool, as a last resort. And thank goodness they did. 

Tootsie took to the water immediately, starting out with 90 second paddles with the aid of a harness, to full 20 minute swims without any sort of aid. At the end of the month, Tootsie was back to her old self, running around in the yard and playing as if the accident was only a figment of distant memory. 

It just goes to show that not every cat is terrified of water, and not ever animal is doomed to 'quietus' after a life threatening injury. Sometimes, you just have to believe that something is possible for it to come true.

Do you have a story of a cat who overcame seemingly impossible hurdles on the road back to health? If so, please share it with us! 

All images and information courtesy of:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk.