Library
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Extracorporeal shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a treatment that uses high energy sound waves to exert changes in the target tissues. In specific situations it can decrease pain and increase healing. Conditions that can be treated, types of shockwave therapy, contraindications and adverse effects are discussed.
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Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) is an herb that has mild antimicrobial (antiseptic), anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. As the name suggests, it appears to have a special effect on the eye.
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Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are complex molecules composed of proteins and sugars, and are found in a variety of bodily tissues, including the blood plasma, joints, and the mucosal (mucous membrane) lining of a variety of organs, including the gastrointestinal tract and the bladder. Various compounds exist. Heparan and dermatan coat the urinary tract of cats while glucosamine and chondroitin constitute the major GAGs in the joint.
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N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a chemically modified form of the dietary amino acid cysteine. Both cysteine and NAC contain sulphur, and sulphur-containing amino acids function as antioxidants, protecting the body from damage by oxidation.
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The term 'nutraceutical' was coined to represent compounds found in food and herbs that are not technically considered nutrients such as vitamins or minerals, but which may have a profoundly beneficial impact on the health of the body. Common examples of nutraceuticals include glucosamine, used in the treatment of arthritic conditions of cats, and antioxidant compounds that help in the prevention of cancer.
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Platelet-rich plasma or PRP is a form of regenerative medicine where the platelet and protein components of blood are retrieved from a patient and then injected back into the patient at the site of inflammation. PRP contains growth factors that appear to promote tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation. The procedure is not yet widely available and should only be performed by a veterinarian with specialized equipment and special training in this area.
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Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy is the use of a generated electromagnetic field to affect changes in tissues of the body. PEMF is believed to have beneficial pain-relieving and healing effects but definitive clinical evidence or a positive benefit is currently lacking. Potential benefits and contraindications are discussed.
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This handout provides a brief overview of the most common evidence-based modalities used in veterinary medicine. Pet owners need to discuss the risk of recommended modalities for their specific pet with a trained and certified rehabilitation therapist before starting a rehabilitation program.
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As veterinarians become more conscious of the details and nuances of how cats experience pain, they search for more methods with which to battle both acute and chronic pain in these patients. Therapeutic massage is one example of a physical medicine technique that has found a place in the feline pain management toolbox.
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The term acupuncture is from the Latin, "acus" meaning 'needle' and "punctura" meaning 'to prick'. Acupuncture, in its simplest sense, is the treatment of conditions or symptoms by the insertion of very fine needles into specific points on the body in order to produce a response.