Pets age, just like we do. But just as our chronic pain is something we work hard to treat and manage, so too can we treat chronic pain for pets and improve everyone’s quality of life. Because, when a beloved pet is suffering from chronic pain, the owner suffers, too.
Often chronic pain for pets starts deep in the joints. A previously active and lively dog starts to slow down, hesitate to jump, or even struggle to walk up and down steps or rise to their feet.
We don’t have to simply dismiss it as aging and let our pets struggle or even suffer. Using a combination of traditional veterinarian treatments with alternative and holistic treatments that include acupuncture, ultrasound, massage and laser therapy, and prolotherapy, we can make significant improvements, even with aging dogs.
So many things we learn about treating ourselves, also apply for our dogs, even yoga! Yes, you can do Doga with and alleviate chronic pain, just click here to get my free guide.
Prolotherapy treatments combat chronic pain for pets
When working with chronic pain, ACL injuries, and medial patellar luxations for pets and hip dysplasia, I often add prolotherapy to the other treatment methods I use. Prolotherapy is a recognized orthopedic procedure that is used in sports medicine for humans. It stimulates the body’s natural healing process to strengthen joints weakened by injury or arthritis.
Prolotherapy is injections of dextrose and lidocaine to thicken ligaments and tendons. The thickening makes joints more stable and less painful as new tendon and muscle growth begins.
It is a nonsurgical way to heal pets with chronic joint pain so they can once again lead active, pain-free lives. And because prolotherapy is noninvasive, there is no need for lengthy and painful physical rehabilitation.
It can be used for a variety of painful joint and tendon ailments, including arthritis, ligament injury, spinal stenosis, disc disease, chronic tendonitis, dysplasia, sprained joints, and partially torn tendons anywhere in the animal’s body.”
I am very enthusiastic about prolotherapy, because of its effectiveness. Most cases have an 80-85% success rate. It can be used on dogs of all breeds and sizes, from tiny Poodles up to giant breeds like Newfoundlands and Mastiffs. Of course, I have to assess the animal to see if they can tolerate the ingredients used in prolotherapy. In the vast majority of cases, they can.
Prolotherapy usually yields quick results.
The ingredient lidocaine quells chronic pain receptors almost immediately. Treatments typically extend over five to six months and are given once a month. During the therapy, new collagen is forming to support and strengthen the affected area. It is an established therapy that is scientifically proven and offers tremendous advantages.
Even older dogs with severe conditions like advanced hip dysplasia can be effective. If you start treatment early enough, 90 percent of cases will show marked improvement.
Try to avoid surgery and over medication
Often traditional medicine will over-rely, in my opinion, on the use of drugs and surgery, both of which impact a pet’s quality of life in the short- and/or long-term. The combination of non-invasive therapies I use in my practice has been very effective.
In addition, I recommend healthy supplements in between visits with my patients, but they can be used safely by any pet lover. For example, the Assisi Loop, delivers Electromagnetic Field Therapy through a micro-current that targets the body’s own natural anti-inflammatory process.
For those in New York, where the state allows for CBD product sales and use, I recommend my all-natural B-Glad CBD drops. B-Glad CBD is made to support your dog daily or at times that can be more stressful such as thunderstorms and fireworks. This may be helpful to dogs with age-related challenges, long car rides, stressful vet visits, and day-to-day anxiety.
About The Author
Author Dr Babette Gladstein is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr Gladstein’s treatment modality expertise includes acupuncture, ultrasound, chiropractic and massage therapy, prolotherapy, holistic and traditional therapies. She makes house calls in the New York metropolitan area.