Coco the arthritic cat uses water treadmill to ease her painful limbs (so much for being afraid of getting wet!) By James Drummond Cats are famously scared of water... but this one happily uses a hydrotherapy treadmill to help ease her painful limbs. Secured by a harness, Coco, who has arthritis, takes regular knee-deep strolls to cure her limp. The 16-year-old black moggy is said to love her weekly sessions on the walker, which is designed for dogs. Veterinary nurse Helen Reeve looks on as 16-year-old Coco the cat has hydrotherapy to help ease her arthritis For the past six months, owner Colette Inman, from Ettington, Warwickshire, has taken Coco to the vets for treatment to improve her condition. "I took her to the vet for her yearly booster and the vet said she had a really bad limp and suggested hydrotherapy," said Colette, who has had Coco since she was just eight weeks old. I was surprised when they told me about it - I thought cats and water don't mix. No scaredy cat: Coco is said to love her weekly strolls on the water treadmill in Ettington, Warwickshire Owner Colette Inman and hydrotherapy nurse Helen Reeve cuddle Coco the arthritic cat I thought when we tried to put her in, she would start hissing and try to jump out. She added: "But she really took to it and it has improved her so much her limp has now disappeared. She can now run around our garden chasing butterflies and is a lot more agile. Coco, who was also hit by a car last year, had suffered with arthritis for years, she said. The team looking after her at the Wellesbourne Surgery, part of the Avonvale Veterinary Centres in Coventry, said she is making a good recovery. Helen Reeve, Coco's hydrotherapy nurse, said: "She's really chilled about it and doesn't bat an eyelid at the water. We are really pleased with her progress. She just loves the warm water and we are seeing major improvements to her arthritic forelegs. Coco's vet Amie Hosie, said: "The hydrotherapy unit works rather like an underwater treadmill which supports the animal, allowing it to gently exercise and build muscle tone and strength.' She added: "It is incredibly effective in encouraging flexibility in the joints. The buoyancy of the water takes the weight and stress off fragile joints and damaged tissue. This then allows them to gradually build up strength. We've had some spectacular results with the water walker which is great to see, especially in animals which have had fairly traumatic surgery. VIDEO Incredible water treatment for Coco... Ready for my close up: The feline has used a submerged treadmill designed for dogs for the past six months Like a cat to water: Colette watches her pet on one of her weekly strolls