Would you ever let your pet be treated with shock wave? Before you say no, take a minute to learn a little more about extracorporeal shock wave therapy, or EWST. You may change your mind!
Union Lake Pet Services offers ESWT as a therapeutic option for bone and muscle injuries. The technology for shock wave has been used for many years in the horse world, and in recent years has become utilized in the small animal arena, too.
ESWT uses sound waves to stimulate the healing of injured tissue and relieve pain. Despite the name, there are no electrical shocks involved! A handheld probe is used to deliver the concentrated, high-pressure waves to a target area. This acoustic energy acts directly on the cells in the area to release anti-inflammatory mediators and attract stem cells to the area, both of which aid in pain relief and healing. ESWT can be used as an adjunct treatment in a wide variety of conditions, including osteoarthritis, soft tissue injuries, fractures, and even some wounds.
Because the probe emits a loud noise and can be mildly uncomfortable, animals must be sedated for ESWT. Several treatments may be required. In the case of disease processes such as osteoarthritis, shock wave therapy does not cure the problem, but rather slows its progression and reduces pain.
So shock wave therapy really isn’t that scary after all! In fact, your pet may benefit from ESWT at some point in the future. Union Lake Pet Services is happy to be able to provide another way to improve your pet’s quality of life, and our veterinarians are more than happy to answer any questions so that you can make an informed decision. That is who we are and what you should expect from Michigan’s most complete pet care complex!