Pain can greatly impact your pet’s quality of life. While you want to provide your canine companion substantial relief from pain, you may not be sure which methods will work. Effective pain management for your pet requires a multimodal approach because the way each pet responds to a certain form of treatment will vary. Whether your pet suffers from back pain, nerve pain, arthritis, GI distress, chronic stomach conditions, or allergies, there is an effective therapy and treatment option that can keep your pet pain-free. Here are some of the effective therapy treatment options to help your pet feel healthy.
Specialized Therapy to Help Your Pet Feel Healthy
Stem Cell Treatments
Stem cell therapy treatments involve taking stem cells from the animal’s blood plasma or fat tissue and then separating them from other cells before being injected directly into the problem area. The capability of stem cells is their ability to renew themselves and become a specific organ or tissue cell. They enable the body to repair, regenerate, and replace damaged or dead tissue. Stem cells can differentiate into bone, blood vessel, cartilage, fat, liver, ligament, nerve, muscle, cardiac, and tendon tissue.
The most common use of stem cell therapy has been in the treatment of arthritis in pets. Other uses include repairing ligaments, bone, and spinal cord injuries and treating cardiomyopathies, kidney and liver disease, and certain inflammatory diseases.
K-Laser Therapy
K-Laser Therapy is an FDA-approved treatment that manages inflammation and pain while enhancing tissue regeneration. Laser energy increases blood circulation, oxygen, nutrients, and water to the damaged area. This provides a healing environment and reduces pain, stiffness, inflammation, and swelling. The laser energy also stimulates nerve cells that block the transmission of pain signals to the brain, which decreases nerve sensitivity. When it comes to inflammation, laser energy opens blood vessels and activates the lymphatic drainage system, thereby draining swollen areas.
K-Laser Treatments are a great way to provide pain relief to pets suffering from conditions that limit the use of medication, such as liver and heart diseases. Pet K-Laser can be used to treat back pain, tissue injuries, post-surgical trauma, degenerative disc disease, ear infection, anal gland infections, arthritis/hip dysplasia, and open wounds. K-Laser Therapy can be used in conjunction with other pain management techniques such as massage, acupuncture, supplements, and medication.
Platelet-Rich Plasma
Plasma is the liquid portion of blood within which other components, such as platelets and blood cells, are suspended. Platelets are small components that help with blood clotting and promote healing. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy involves deriving a patient’s own blood and spinning it in a centrifuge to separate platelets and blood components.
The end product has higher-than-usual platelet concentration. PRP contains proteins and growth factors that accelerate the healing of muscles, ligaments, and tendons and promote regeneration of cartilage. It can also reduce inflammation caused by arthritis. PRP may also benefit pets with severe, slow, or non-healing wounds.
Acupuncture
In use with conventional treatments, acupuncture therapy can reduce the cumulative effect of injuries and chronic illnesses. Acupuncture works by prompting the body to heal itself. It enhances nervous system stimulation, blood circulation, and the release of pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory substances. This treatment involves the insertion of needles into acupuncture points (where vascular and nervous tissue come together).
Veterinary acupuncture creates local and generalized pain-relieving effects. Strong medical treatments that can cause discomfort are usually paired with acupuncture. Thus enhancing your pet’s comfort and ability to fight the illness. Conditions that can be managed with veterinary acupuncture include arthritis, degenerative joint disease, trauma, metabolic diseases, nerve injuries, skin problems, and cancer.
Medications and Supplements
For some pets, prescription medication may be needed to reduce tissue swelling and manage pain. The most common pain medications for pets are Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), which help control swelling, stiffness, inflammation, and pain. NSAIDs block the production of body chemicals that cause inflammation and swelling at the point of injury.
Other pain medications for pets include corticosteroids and antidepressants. Nutritional supplements (nutraceuticals) such as omega-3 fatty acids, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, methylsulfonylmethane, and green-lipped mussels will also help relieve discomfort. They work best in combination with other treatment options.
Plan Ahead to Help Your Pet Feel Healthy
These pain relief options can work for your pet. However, it’s always best to work closely with a veterinarian. Therefore developing the right treatment plan for you and your pet. Book an appointment at Naples Coastal Animal Hospital or call (239) 500-0105 to make sure your pet lives a pain-free and healthy life.