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Start The Laser!!

11/28/2018

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We at the Elmsdale Animal Hospital are please to announce that we now offer Laser Therapy! We have been researching and referring clients to other practices for these treatments for years, so when the opportunity for us to get our own laser came up, we jumped on it.
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A class IV therapeutic laser is designed to be a non-invasive treatment to help reduce pain, inflammation, scar tissue and swelling. It uses a beam of laser light to penetrate deep into tissue without causing damage to increase circulation, endorphin release, and speeds healing at the cellular level by increasing ATP release. Laser therapy can be used on its own or as part of a multi-model approach to pain along with medications laid out by your veterinarian. ​
​There are many conditions that can be benefited by Laser Therapy. Acute conditions (things that happen suddenly) including wounds, infections, tooth pain, muscle sprains and strains, bone fractures, and surgical incisions are all treatable with Laser Therapy. 
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​Pain and inflammation are decreased, and faster healing is promoted. Chronic conditions (things that happen slowly and are constant) the laser can help with are degenerative joint disease, inflammatory bowel disease, back pain, and many itchy skin diseases. It can even help with sore, inflamed ears and with cystitis (inflammation of the bladder).
​One of the best things about Laser Therapy is its non-invasive. The laser has no negative effect on healthy tissue so there are no concerns when using it. There are however certain ailments where Laser Therapy is not recommended, such as cancer. Since the laser promotes cellular regeneration, it can cause tumors to grow at a faster rate. We recommend discussing any concerns you may have with your veterinarian. 
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​While patients can see relief after just one laser treatment, the effects are cumulative. Like many homeopathic treatments (acupuncture, chiropractic, etc.) you may need several treatments in a course to resolve the problem. Ask your veterinarian about our packages. 
​One very nice thing for us veterinary professionals to see is your pet coming to see us in more of a relaxed and stress-free manner with each and every visit. The laser is tolerated well by aggressive cats to anxious dogs, and in some cases can be applied without us even touching the patient. Pain relief for pets has come a long way!
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Senior Moments Part 1 - Arthritis

11/7/2018

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Hi everyone! November is "Celebrating Seniors" month at the Elmsdale Animal Hospital so we thought it would be the perfect time to start our blog series on senior pets! Part 1 will be focusing on something that plagues many seniors: Arthritis. 
​Senior pets have always had a soft spot in my heart. With advances in science and research we have been seeing pets live longer and more comfortable lives. With this in mind, there are many things to watch out for as our pets age. When a pet ages normally, you will still see them engaging in their normal everyday activities, just a bit slower. They may not jump as high, walk as far or run as fast, but they should still be interested in doing these things. Their hearing may not be as keen, and their eyesight may weaken, especially at night. 
​There are however some things that our senior pets may do that are not a normal part of aging. Inappropriate urination (peeing where they’re not supposed to) is not a normal part of aging and can be caused by underlying senior pet illness such as diabetes, infection, hormone changes or arthritis. Being picky or having difficulty eating could be due to dental disease, while waking up through the night could be associated with cognitive disfunction. 
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​One of the most common diseases that afflict senior pets is degenerative joint disease (DJD) or arthritis. As in humans, arthritis in pets is caused by a breakdown of the cartilage and underlying bone of a joint. This will cause pain, stiffness and a decreased range of motion. The most common places to find arthritis are the knees, hips, and spine. It can also be frequently found in the jaw with cats and in the elbows with dogs.
​Because our four-legged friends can’t tell us what hurts in words, we have to look for other clues of arthritis. In cats, the signs are usually that they are jumping up less and finding it harder to get in and out of the litterbox. Dogs with arthritis may not be as excited to go for a walk or play with their toys. 
Luckily, there are many ways to help our arthritic pets. Nutritional supplements like glucosamine, green lipped mussel powder, and omega 3-6-9 fatty acids are very beneficial and can be started when your pet is young to help promote joint health. Some diets also contain these ingredients and are also low in calories. This is crucial for pets with arthritis as extra weight puts more pressure on the already painful joints. Losing weight can also help in other ways. Fat can release inflammatory chemicals, so less bad fat can mean less overall inflammation. 
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​Alternative therapies like acupuncture, massage and therapeutic laser treatments have also been shown to help many senior pets by reducing pain and inflammation.
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​There are also many prescription medications that can help with arthritis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are an excellent way to make our arthritic pets more comfortable. They work by blocking certain cellular pathways that produce inflammatory enzymes. This prevents inflammation of the arthritic joints, effectively stopping pain before it starts. Keeping that in mind, the human forms of these medications (Tylenol, Advil etc) are harmful to our pets. They need pet-specific forms of these medications that they are able to metabolize. 
While these drugs are tolerated well by most pets, there are some possible side effects (mostly gastrointestinal upset) so you should only use them after consulting your veterinarian. ​
​The most important thing to remember when you have an arthritic pet is that their quality of life is the top priority. We never want our pets to be in pain, especially our older friends who have given us years of companionship and love. So, whether it takes supplements, medications, alternative therapy or any combination of the above, if our pets are comfortable, we’re happy 😊     
**MAKE SURE TO CALL THE OFFICE AT (902)883-7080 TO HEAR ABOUT OUR NOVEMBER SPECIALS FOR YOUR SENIOR PET!**
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    Author

    Dr. Juanita Ashton, BSc, DVM, ACDBC-IAABC is a certified Canine Behavioural Consultant, and one of the owners of the Elmsdale Animal Hospital

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Phone # 902-883-7080
Fax # 902-883-8007
E-Mail  info@elmsdaleanimalhospital.ca

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HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday        7:30 am - 8:00 pm
Tuesday        7:30 am- 8:00 pm
Wednesday  7:30 am - 8:00 pm
Thursday      7:30 am - 8:00 pm
Friday           7:30 am - 8:00 pm
Saturday       8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sunday         CLOSED
IN CASE OF AN AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY, PLEASE CONTACT THE METRO ANIMAL EMERGENCY CLINIC AT 902-468-0674

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  • Home
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    • MEET THE STAFF
  • COVID-19
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  • SERVICES
    • Wellness Care
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    • Dental Care
    • Alternative Therapies
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  • Contact
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