The paw-seidon adventure..

Rocky the cat's recovery from a crippling condition in his legs is coming along swimmingly - thanks to regular hydrotherapy sessions.

The soggy moggy takes the plunge every week and doggy paddles lengths of a 20ft long swimming pool to help strengthen his muscles.

While most cats are terrified of getting wet, Rocky has taken to the hydrotherapy treatment like a duck to water.

Bournemouth Echo:

The two-year-old cat wears a life vest to help keep him afloat and needs a plastic toy to lure him from one end of the pool to the other.

But his treatment - that is usually meant for dogs - has proved such a success that he has regained the strength in his hind legs and is now able to jump and climb like a normal cat.

Owner Graham Allan first realised there was something wrong with Rocky last August when he noticed the cat's back legs were quite low down and one of them was sticking out at an unusual angle.

The 55-year-old took the black cat to the vets who diagnosed him with a degenerative condition which was causing his body to attack the nerves and muscles in his hind legs.

Graham, from West Moors was recommended to take Rocky to swimming sessions at 4 Paws Hydrotherapy Centre in Ringwood.

He said: "My first thoughts were that cats and water don't mix and that he would go absolutely nuts.

Bournemouth Echo:

"The first session involved him walking on a treadmill submerged in water. He did very well and he then moved up to the main pool.

"He is a very cool cat anyway and doesn't seem to have any fear and that really helped.

"Rocky has had seven sessions now and the last few he has been swimming the whole length of the pool unguided.

"He actually enjoys it now, you can tell as he tries to get in the water on his own.

"It has had a massive impact on his mobility.

"He is much stronger now in his hind legs and is jumping and climbing which is marvellous to see as we didn't expect that to happen.

"The swimming is making the muscles that he has got left as strong as possible. It really works."

Bournemouth Echo:

The plan is for Rocky to reduce the number of sessions to once a fortnight but he will need them for years to come.

They cost £40 a time but are part-covered by Graham's pet insurance.

Natasha Roberts, director and manager of 4 Paws Hydrotherapy, said: "The swimming uses his limbs especially the hind legs and makes the muscle mass stronger.

"I usually stand in the pool with Rocky and assess his range of movement and I can tell when he is kicking harder.

"Rocky has taken to swimming really well and is fine with it. He even has a shower and a shampoo afterwards before going home.

"He will need long term hydrotherapy treatment because it is a degenerative condition but we can manage it."