The science behind Dry Salt Therapy

Respiratory Conditions

Pharmaceutical / Medical grade salt is added to a small, portable machine which creates a fine salt microparticle vapour that is dispersed into the air. This is simply breathed in and inhaled deeply, right down into the small airways of the lungs. No water is added to the machine or salt.

The process – when the micro particles of dry salt are inhaled, the particles act as a sponge (Hygroscopic) that attracts moisture from the surrounding airways, freeing the mucus off the lung wall, osmosis then reduces the stickiness of the mucus and stimulates the movement of the cilia (micro-hairs) within the lungs allowing the mucus to be transported up and out of the lungs easier. Mucus, discharge and pathogens are then seen in the nasal cavity, coming out of the nose.

Salt has strong properties of being a powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, while the salt is attracting the water from the mucus. It is able to reduce the inflammation, bacteria and allergens within the lung tissue and airways creating a more efficient breathing system.

Skin Conditions

Some of the salt microparticles that are dispersed during the session fall onto the skin or the salt can be aim specifically at the skin during the session.  The particles permeate into the epidermis of the skin, absorb oils, and reduce the frequency of irritating skin conditions

A dog’s healthy skin has a pH of neutral to slightly alkaline in the range of 6.2 – 7.4. 

In a Dog who has poor skin the pH is out of balance with higher Alkaline levels. This elevated pH impairs the skin’s natural barrier function, making it less effective at defending against bacteria and other harmful invaders and exacerbates dryness and irritation. Salt has a p H of 7, so along with its natural antibacterial properties can prevent this development of bacteria in skin conditions, while helping to normalize the skin’s pH level and improves skin microcirculation.

Benefits of Dry Salt Therapy 

Dry Salt Therapy is currently being used to Improve and relieve conditions such as:

• Asthma and Respiratory Disease
• Hay fever / Allergies
• Ear infections
• Skin conditions / Inflamed paws/pads 
• Sinus / tear duct congestions
• Clearing Snotty Noses and Mucus – being a decongestant to improve scent training
• Helping clear mucus after operations
• Killing harmful bacteria in the respiratory system, sinus’ and on the skin

Dry Salt Therapy Improves cardiovascular performance (for Fly Ball, Agility and competitions) by:

• Improving lung function
• Increasing oxygen capacity
• Improving performance and stamina
• Raise energy levels and reducing recovery time

 Dry Salt Therapy improves immunity and inflammatory responses which

• Reduces inflammation and swelling within the tissues
• Improves overall wellbeing of the dog
• Supports dogs that are sensitive to environmental allergies
• Supports dogs to combat infections
• Helps a dog recover from mineral salt depletion
• Improve sleep quality
• Stress reduction

These benefits make salt therapy a valuable addition to your Dogs wellness routine, offering a combination of health benefits that can revitalize and enhance overall health.

Dry Salt Therapy Improves cardiovascular performance (for Fly Ball, Agility and competitions) by:

• Improving lung function
• Increasing oxygen capacity
• Improving performance and stamina
• Raise energy levels and reducing recovery time

 Dry Salt Therapy improves immunity and inflammatory responses which

• Reduces inflammation and swelling within the tissues
• Improves overall wellbeing of the dog
• Supports dogs that are sensitive to environmental allergies
• Supports dogs to combat infections
• Helps a dog recover from mineral salt depletion
• Improve sleep quality
• Stress reduction

These benefits make salt therapy a valuable addition to your Dogs wellness routine, offering a combination of health benefits that can revitalize and enhance overall health.

These benefits make salt therapy a valuable addition to your Dogs wellness routine, offering a combination of health benefits that can revitalize and enhance overall health.

How does Salt Therapy help performance?

The respiratory locomotion in Dogs involves a synchronized breathing and movement pattern to facilitate breathing. Dogs can take exactly one breath per stride when they cantering and galloping, indicating a close relationship between their respiratory and locomotor systems. This synchronization is particularly evident in galloping, where the speed and respiration increase with the stride length and tidal volume. 

The respiratory system includes three main groups: the diaphragm, rib cage muscles, and abdominal muscles. Each group plays a specific role in the breathing process. During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts, creating space in the chest cavity, allowing air to enter the lungs. During exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes, pushing air out of the lungs. This synchronization is due to mechanical constraints in the thoracic region, and it is significant in clinically healthy galloping horses. This coordinated effort between the respiratory and muscular systems is essential for effective locomotion and overall health.

The respiratory system is known to be the first limiting factor to maximal exercising, Good performers exhibit a higher locomotor-respiratory coupling (LRC) compared to poor performers, if you can improve lung capacity and efficacy, performance will improve, indicating that the breathing techniques is critical to improving performance, not just in the increasing oxygen up take but increasing lung capacity to increase stride length, will in turn improve performance.

Success Stories

Deano 

Deano is a 14yr Sprollie (Springer x Collie) who had a cough and snotty nose over a prolonged period of time and always on antibiotics, vets and medical treatments were unable to find the cause after a lot of tests and unable to clear the snot. Deano was also waking his owners up every night as he couldn’t breathe and needed to go out in the garden for some cold air up his nose. Deano’s owners turned to Dry Salt Therapy sessions after his initial three sessions, to the owners delight. Deano was sleeping through the night, his cough also stopped and snotty nose improved. Owners know when Deano is due for a salt session as his nose will start to run again, he has a salt session roughly once a month. He is a lot happier in himself, has more energy and enjoys running around the field with Holly their other dog without struggling with his breathing and coughing. Deano has been having salt therapy for the last 4 months and will continue salt sessions as they see the benefits it gives Deano

Toto 

We have been struggling to help our senior dachshund – Toto- lately with his breathing. He had aspirate pneumonia in May and since then he’s seemingly aged a lot- whilst really breathing short and fast. Having tried steroids, various rounds of anti-biotics and weekly vet visits- we decided to give the salt therapy a try. We are so glad we did! 

 Initially starting with 3x of salt and then a follow up 2 weeks later. it’s totally changed our lovely little pal for the better. Not only is his breathing noticeably better and more regulated- he’s got a sparkle back and a spring in his step. He once again wants to come with us and gets so excited again. 

To see this change in our old boy- is a huge relief. He’s improved beyond measure and whilst he won’t be here forever- he’s extremely comfortable and happy. 

We would absolutely recommend that people try salt therapy for their dogs. It’s helped Toto more than we can express. – Tom (Toto’s Owner)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Dry Salt Therapy be used for any breed of dogs?

Yes, Dry Salt Therapy It can be used to improve cardiovascular performance and therefore overall abilities in competing dogs in agility and flyball but also help a well loved smaller breeds to help with respiratory conditions and skin allergies. The sessions are suitable for any type of dogs, working and pets.

How often should my Dog have salt therapy?

For all respiratory and skin conditions, initial recommendations are 3 x 25/30 minute sessions over 3 consecutive days. Depending on the severity of the condition and if you are struggling to get due to work, arrangements can be made to do 1 or 2 sessions and the 3^rd the following week.  After the 3 day. Depending on the symptoms and your Dog’s individual needs, we recommend scheduling seasonal or periodic top-up treatments to stay on top of lasting symptom relief. A top-up session can also be ideal to give your dog’s overall well-being a boost.

Should I be worried that my Dog nasal discharge after salt therapy?

No. This is expected and the amount will vary between each Dog. The salt therapy takes time to stimulate mucus movement within the lungs and nasal discharge is a sign that the mucus is clearing from the lungs which can take up to a week to clear following treatment. Symptoms may get worse before they get better due to mucus loosening, causing Coughing, sneezing and snot as the salt clears the airways. Even if your Dog is being treated for a skin conditions, you may still see nasal discharge

You may notice an increase in coughing symptoms after a session which is a sign that the therapy is working and the loosing and expelling mucus. A good way to help clear if after coughing, you blow your nose this will help the mucus come out

Why is it best for you to bring your dog to my yard?

The best space for the most efficient treatment is an enclosed empty area with a standard plug point, to keep the salt vapour concentrated around your dog. 

Salt therapy cannot be given inside your house, the salt will go everywhere. I do have the facilities for you to bring your dog to my yard in Burbage to the specially designed salt therapy stable 

Do I need to bring anything with me or need for the salt sessions?

Please bring with you, your dog’s travel bed or blanket to allow your dog to lay or sit calmly during the salt session.  A chair will be provided for yourself if you require one.

What availability do you have for my Dog?

Dry Salt Therapy appointments are available on selected days, in the morning’s, afternoon, evenings and weekend slots available. Please message me to organise an appointment slot

Price List / Area’s covered

£35.00 –  Dry Salt Therapy – one day top up session for your Dog at my yard in Burbage.

(Cash or Bank Transfer) No card payments available 

£105.00 – Initial 3 days (£35 per session)

Owners and a second dog can sit in during the sessions free of charge, if it means the dog benefitting from the salt session stays calm and happy.

Testimonials

I contacted Katie about my jack Russell Lilly. Lilly has suffered really badly with allergies all of her life, she’s had medications but nothing clears it for her. She seemed to be allergic to everything, Lilly was always coughing and gagging, always snotty. I saw this salt therapy and thought well it’s worth a try, with no idea how it would go. Well all I can say is it’s amazing, I can’t believe the difference in Lilly. Three sessions no coughing, no gagging or snotty, she’s like a new dog. It’s honestly amazing. My other dog Snowy also joined in, she has slight allergies – a paw chewer no more, she has left them alone! I can’t thank Katie enough, she was absolutely fantastic with my dogs, the whole experience was amazing. We will be having top ups. This works .I’m so happy we gave this a go.

Toto, our senior dachshund had been struggling with his breathing. He had aspirate pneumonia and since then he’s seemingly aged a lot- whilst really breathing short and fast. Having tried steroids, various rounds of anti-biotics and weekly vet visits- we decided to give the salt therapy a try. We are so glad we did! It has totally changed our lovely little pal for the better. Not only is his breathing noticeably better and more regulated – he’s got a sparkle back and a spring in his step. He once again wants to come with us and gets so excited again.
To see this change in our old boy- is a huge relief. He’s improved beyond measure and whilst he won’t be here forever- he’s extremely comfortable and happy.
We would absolutely recommend that people try salt therapy for their dogs. It’s helped Toto more than we can express. – Tom (Toto’s Owner)