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An exciting new modality for treating a variety of problems, our Laser system provides a sterile, pain-free, surgery-free, drug-free treatment which is used to help heal a variety of injuries, wounds, fractures, neurological conditions, numerous dermatological problems and pain. Whether your horse is rehabilitating from trauma or injury, healing from wounds or simply aging, he will benefit from this revolutionary new approach to veterinary medicine.

High power (12 Watts) can penetrate more deeply than the 6 watts previously available, which enables a more measurable, consistent response in the deeper musculoskeletal conditions seen in the horse.  The laser can be dialed down in power to treat superficial wounds and acupuncture points as well.

Mode of Action:  The laser light emitted by the machine is absorbed by the mitochondria of cells and elicits specific biological reactions.  These reactions increase blood flow to tissue and stimulate release of oxygen to tissues thereby enhancing the conversion of oxygen to ATP which creates energy.  In a nutshell: the laser light puts the cells in the area of injury into "hyperdrive," accelerating the healing process and improving repair quality.

Clinical Effects: 

• Accelerated tissue repair and growth

• Faster wound healing

• Analgesia (pain relief)

• Decreased inflammation

• Angiogenesis (blood vessel creation)

• Vasodilation (to increase oxygenation & waste product removal)

• Improved lymphatic drainage

• Improved nerve function

• Muscle relaxation

• Decreased fibrosis

• Immunoregulation/modulation

• Acupuncture stimulation

• Trigger point modulation

These clinical effects are harnessed to help treat a variety of ailments, such as: reduce the pain of hock or carpal arthritis; increase Type I collagen production in healing suspensory ligament or tendon injuries; reduce pain of back soreness and stimulate muscle relaxation; decrease the edema of splint bone swellings; decrease the healing time of large wounds; decrease post-surgical pain; decrease healing time of fractures; and help non-union healing.  In addition, there is research going on to assess laser therapy as an adjunct to stem cell therapy. 

With so many applications and new ones being discovered, laser therapy is fast becoming a way to help performance horses not only recover quicker but regain their competitive edge. In general, horses can get back to their daily routine and become more active.

For more information about the Companion Therapy Laser, visit www.litecure.com.

Intra-Articular & Tendon/Ligament Injections

Arthritis in our athletic horses is a fact of life and treatment of chronic joint pain is a major issue in our clients' lives.  Sometimes conservative therapies like phenylbutazone, rest, topical Surpass, leg sweats and icing just don't do the trick because the body's inflammatory mediators inside the joint are actually destroying it.  Stopping this inflammation is key to controlling arthritis progression.  Intra-articular cortisone is one of the best treatments (see IRAP below as well) for stopping inflammation.  So, contrary to previous thoughts, injecting cortisone into joints is beneficial if used correctly.  The arthritis will continue to progress (because the horse will continue to do athletic endeavors), but the process will slow and the horse will feel better.  Adding Hyaluronic Acid to the injection targets the joint capsule, decreases inflammation in that tissue, and helps it to begin secreting more normal healthy joint fluid.
 

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP or E-PET)

Platelet concentrate is used to promote wound, bone healing, and ligament/tendon repair.  In wounds it accelerates epithelial differentiation and produces well organized tissue to enhance wound healing, especially in problematic lower limb injuries.  Histological and histomorphometric evaluation has shown it to enhance early bone healing.  PRP has also been shown to enhance the healing response and the quality of repair in treatment of tendonitis and suspensory ligament desmitis as reported during the AAEP conference in San Diego, Dec. 2008.

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a component of blood in which the platelets are concentrated into a limited volume.  Platelets contain many growth factors that enhance wound healing and help promote tissue regeneration.  Once platelets have adhered to injured vessels they release granules to start the clotting process.  From this network the platelets then release growth factors inside the wound, of which PDGF, IGF and TFG-beta1 play the most important roles.

The treatment procedure includes drawing a large sample of blood from the patient and then, using a filtration system, harvesting the platelet concentrate and injecting it into the desired area of the horse.

Information courtesy of VetCell - www.vetcell.com & www.vetcellamericas.com
 

IRAP^® (Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein)

The irap^®-therapy offers the opportunity to effectively treat lameness of your horse utilizing the body's own healing mechanisms.  This means low risk of side effects and no doping qualities of the therapy.  It is an excellent non-cortisone therapy for joints and soft tissues and can be used for arthritis, traumatic soft tissue damage, and for post-surgical reduction of inflammation and adhesions.

The irap^®-therapy is based on the production of regenerative and anti-inflammatory proteins by the horse's own blood cells. For this purpose blood is drawn aseptically and stored at 37°C for 24 hrs.  The "Autologous Conditioned Serum" (ACS) is then retrieved and injected into the affected joint or onto the inflamed tendon (sheath).  ACS's fast action is relief of pain, inflammation and reduction of swelling.  To achieve full effect the current standard consensus is 3 injections for a first treatment round.  This biological therapy has the potential to induce regeneration or stop degeneration.  Immediate strong exercise after treatment may inhibit this process therefore, after the procedure, sufficient rest is advisable.

Information courtesy of ORTHOGEN Veterinary

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem Cell therapy is used in the treatment of tendon and ligament injuries, degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis), osteochondrosis (OCD), sub-chondral bone cysts, meniscal injuries, and fractures.  Stem cells are derived either from the horse's own fat or bone marrow.  They contain a high yield of mesenchymal stem cells as well as many other regenerative cells that produce cytokines and growth factors.  The stem cells are able to differentiate into multiple cell types and produce extracellular (structural) matrix. 

Information courtesy of Vet-Stem - www.vet-stem.com

Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan is a naturally-occurring complex molecule that is the essential building block of the cartilage matrix. Marketed as Adequan^®i.m., this product travels into injured joints and stimulates production of new cartilage while relieving the symptoms of non-infectious degenerative joint disease.  Adequan^®i.m. treats joint disease, increases lubrication and stimulates cartilage repair while relieving pain, decreasing inflammation, restoring synovial fluid and blocking destructive enzymes.

Information courtesy of Luitpold Animal Health - www.adequan.com
 

Legend^® (hyaluronate sodium) is the only FDA approved I.V. and intra-articular therapy to treat equine non-infectious synovitis associated with osteoarthritis.  Legend is pure hyaluronate sodium, the same glycosaminoglycan present in normal joint fluid. It is produced by a patented biofermentation process, resulting in such purity that it can be given intravenously for immediate bioavailability.  Legend is proven to decrease inflammation and destructive enzymes associated with inflammation

Information courtesy of Bayer Animal Health - www.bayerdvm.com