Alternative Therapies for Managing Osteoarthritis Pain
1.0 CE Credit Hour / Christopher Shapley, DVM, CVA, CVCH, CVFT
Christopher Shapley, DVM, CVA, CVCH, CVFT
Dr. Christopher Shapley began working at Northstar VETS in April of 2022. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana and currently resides in Toms River, New Jersey. Dr. Shapley attended Montclair State University for undergrad and earned his DVM degree from Western University of Health Sciences.
He continued his studies at Chi University and specializes in traditional Chinese veterinary acupuncture and herbal medicine. He lives with his dog, Carrie, and two rats, Thelma and Louise.
Program Description:
Did you know that osteoarthritis affects up to 20% of adult dogs? This chronic condition isn’t limited to our canine companions – it’s also common in cats, horses, and other pets. As a veterinarian, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of this disease on our beloved animals. Let’s explore osteoarthritis in depth and discuss some cutting-edge treatments that can help our pets live more comfortably.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic and progressive joint disease commonly found in dogs, cats, horses, and other companion animal species. This degenerative condition is caused by the gradual wearing down of cartilage in the joints, leading to inflammation in the joints and bones. The result? Pain and difficulty using the affected limb(s). It’s crucial to note that OA isn’t just a senior pet problem. It can develop at any age due to various factors.
Traditional Osteoarthritis Treatment Methods. When treating joint pain in dogs or arthritis in cats, veterinarians often prescribe:
- NSAIDs (e.g., carprofen, galliprant, meloxicam) to reduce pain and inflammation
- Additional pain management drugs like gabapentin
- Joint supplements containing chondroitin and glucosamine
- PulseVet® shock wave therapy
- Acupuncture and other forms of Eastern medicine
Advanced Care for Osteoarthritis: Assisi Loop® Therapy. The Assisi Loop uses targeted pulsed electromagnetic field (tPEMF™) technology to relieve pain and promote healing. It works by:
- Influencing cellular behavior through electrical changes around and within cells
- Improving blood supply to the affected region
- Increasing oxygen pressure
- Activating and regenerating cells to reduce pain and inflammation
Learning Objectives
- How to properly identify osteoarthritis (OA) pain in companion animals.
- The management of OA pain with Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM).
- Safe use and treatment protocols utilizing modern medical devices.
- Nutrition and TCVM Food Therapy protocols for managing OA pain.
- How to safely combine multiple modalities for optimal pain management.
This course is RACE-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits hours in jurisdictions that accept RACE-approval.
This activity is sponsored by Zomedica.
