Pets Have Pain Too - Arthritis Awareness Month Highlights Disease's Effect on Dogs

ATLANTA, April 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Osteoarthritis (or OA as it is commonly known as) affects pets in the same way it does humans. In fact, millions of dogs suffer from canine arthritis, but it is often difficult for owners to know their dogs are in such pain until physical limitations are visibly evident. Jumping or even walking is a chore in arthritic dogs. Often, the spring in a dog's step is replaced with a limp as the arthritis progresses.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130402/CL86239 )

In recognition of Canine Arthritis Awareness Month in May, PulseVet Technologies is distributing materials to veterinarians to offer to their clients to help raise awareness of canine arthritis, how the disease affects dogs, and additional treatment approaches to help alleviate the pain associated with the disease.

OA is a chronic degenerative joint disease that develops as a result of an injury, age or obesity. The severity of the disease can range, but progression can lead to severe lameness and decreased mobility and an overall reduced quality of life for. Dog owners should be aware of the symptoms associated with OA, the underlying causes and the likely multi-modal treatment program it will take to best manage the disease and improve the dog's quality of life.

The "OA in Dogs toolkit" offered by PulseVet provides veterinarians with such items as:

• Anatomical in-clinic posters highlighting the joints commonly affected by arthritis so that owners are aware of the underlying musculoskeletal issues affecting their pet
• Take-home client education materials that allow veterinarians to offer tips on how to best manage the disease at home, in combination with their recommended treatment protocol
• Arthritis Awareness paw print pins

PulseVet Technologies manufactures the VersaTron® shock wave technology, a treatment that utilizes high-energy sound wave pulses to reduce inflammation and associated pain caused by osteoarthritis. Among its many benefits is stimulating proteins that help reduce inflammation most common in the hips and elbows of arthritic dogs. A recent clinical trial in dogs with hard-to-treat elbow arthritis out of the University of Tennessee's School of Veterinary Medicine showed a significant decrease in lameness in dogs treated with shock wave technology compared to untreated dogs¹ (specific to VersaTron®4Paws device*). Other animal studies highlight the benefits of shock wave in slowing the process of cartilage deterioration which defines arthritis.²

The complimentary OA in Dogs awareness materials may be ordered at www.OAindogs.com.

Contact: Rose Raus, Product Manager
678-252-1504 or [email protected]  

¹ Millis, DL. Vet Comp Orthrop Traumatol, 2011
² Wang CJ. Chang Gung University. 2011
*©PulseVet Technologies. 2013. pulsevet.com

SOURCE PulseVet Technologies