Dog Laser Therapy,
What Happened to Dixie? – Part II
by Keith Somers / Like Keith & Dog Wonders on Facebook
Dog laser therapy, in Dixie’s case has been very encouraging from the beginning. Here’s the story in brief—a team of veterinarians, determined very early Monday morning, March 11, 2012, that Dixie, my son and daughter-in-law’s dachshund had Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD)—she had “gone down” in her rear quarters. They had told Stephen and Mary, who live in High Point, North Carolina, to keep her medicated and in her cage until her doctor could see her as soon as his office would open later Monday morning. They had advised them that she would probably need surgery within 48 hours in order to prevent total and inoperable paralysis of her rear legs. The option of dog laser therapy was not in the picture—yet . . .
Our veterinarian, Dr. Todd Czarnecki, DVA, CVA, at Hanging Rock Animal Hospital in Roanoke, Virginia, said that he would like to see Dixie ASAP, as he had had some very encouraging success with dog laser therapy in recent months. So, I met my son in Martinsville, and brought Dixie to Dr. Todd’s office for an evaluation. He told us that she was a hopeful candidate for laser treatment, and he advised that the treatments begin now.
Two Very Happy Updates
to the Dog Laser Therapy Story
Dixie returned to Roanoke this week for another follow-up dog laser therapy treatment. Four weeks after her first treatment, March 13, 2012, she does show a slight indication of unsteadiness in her left rear leg, but the “toeing-over” has all but disappeared—she is improving as the days come and go. It was agreed, at this time, April 12, that she should return for three months of one laser treatment for dogs a month, and no more cage rest or medication—“just be sure that she does not jump on or off the couch or the bed!” For that energetic dog who loves to be a part of everything happening at the moment—that is going to be a chore!
Now, as of this writing, April 7, 2014, more than 2 years later, I am tickled to tell you that Dixie is just as she was prior to that weekend in March of 2012. She is happy, healthy and with no sign of any difficulty of any kind. In her case, dog laser therapy for IVDD in dogs was very successful. She will be five years old in August 18, 2014, our wedding anniversary date.
However, literature on the subject is very difficult to find and very few veterinary hospitals are currently using low level laser therapy for healing IVDD without surgery. Here are some sites you might want to check out. Or, do some research on your own.
1) What is Laser Therapy for Dogs and How does it work? This an introduction to Dog Laser Therapy, and how it can be used treating many ailments, including IVDD. It is from the Drake Center for Veterinary Care in Encinitas, California.
2) Laser Disc Ablation: Preventing Intervertebral Disc Disease. Covers the basics, presented by the Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center in January 31, 2020.
3) Photon Power: Can Laser Therapy Help Your Dog?, by Susan Davis, a very interesting short read.
4) IVDD Disk Disease Fast Facts, Lots of IVDD information.
My articles appearing on my website are for informative and educational use only
and should never be considered as veterinary medical advice.
Always talk with your veterinarian and other pet care professionals
before you make any decision regarding your companion animal.
