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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2012 0:25:45 GMT -5
Since the beginning of December, I have had the privilege of working for a holistic veterinary clinic. I have access to acupuncture, an underwater treadmill, and laser therapy, to name a few. On a slow weekday, I found a very thick binder with information on laser therapy. Skimming through it, I found a section on using laser therapy for Cushing's disease (hyperadrenocorticism) in dogs and cats, which is similar to adrenal disease in ferrets (also hyperadrenocorticism, but the difference being the former overproduces cortisol versus the latter which overproduces sex hormones). It made me wonder... could it possibly help? I know the causes of it in dogs and cats is different than ferrets, but it couldn't hurt (no side effects)! "More than 30 years of experimental and clinical research shows, that Low Level Laser therapy is free of side effects. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has ruled Low Level Laser therapy as a therapy causing no harm to the patients." I have seen some amazing results with just a few LLLT treatments for various health conditions in dogs and cats who have received it here. I might bring it up with the two head vets (both holistic) to see what they think. Has anyone here tried this for adrenal disease in ferrets or know anyone who has? I know at the very least, it can be used for treating prostate issues (which accompanies adrenal disease in male ferrets ).
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2012 0:56:13 GMT -5
We have a laser at my non-holistic vet clinic I work at and I know that it works wonders on many issues! Not sure about adrenal disease, someone more experienced will have to chime in, but it sounds hopeful? I will be checking back to see what others say for sure!
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Post by Heather on Jan 19, 2012 1:33:40 GMT -5
My vet has made reference of the similarities to Cushing's in dogs and cats. I wonder, it's certainly an interesting thought. My vet clinic does accupuncture but we don't have access to a laser therapy yet. If we had one I would certainly explore the possibilities. I will have to keep this in mind the next time I visit the vets, and see if she's heard about any possibilities leading in this manner. I don't know how affordable such treatments would be?? ciao
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2012 1:35:19 GMT -5
They're quite expensive For laser treatments for muscle/joint things I believe my clinic charges like $500 and that incluces a succession of like 6 treatments or something? It's pretty pricey
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Post by Heather on Jan 19, 2012 1:43:34 GMT -5
Looks like Des is still the best option....oh well. It would be interesting if you could use something like accupuncture or laser to turn off the signals. ciao
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2012 1:49:46 GMT -5
The treatments are expensive , but everyone at the clinic uses them on their animals and themselves for free ;D I'm sure if there is possible knowledge to gain from it, they would be willing to do it for free to see what happens. For the general populous, you're probably right Heather... des is their best bet
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2012 3:17:02 GMT -5
I cant add anything about lazer therapy for pets but I can add my own experience.
I had a frozen shoulder joint for 8 years, I only had 35% range of motion. After 6 months of lazer therapy and massage, I could lift my arm high enough to turn a light switch off. I cried that day. Today, after lazer and surgery, I have full range of motion.
I cannot say enough positive things about lazers. results for me were immediate. I wouldn't think it would hurt to try for our furbabys.
~Kelli
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Post by Sherry on Jan 19, 2012 8:27:31 GMT -5
I've not read or studied about laser treatment and Cushing's in dogs or cats. I do remember reading that although there are some similarities, there are also a LOT of differences. What is it the laser is supposed to do for the illness in them?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2012 9:23:21 GMT -5
OK, I do have some information and experience with cold laser therapy (low-light laser therapy) on ferrets. I don't have time to post right now, but I'll certainy get back to this thread within the next day or two.
-jennifer
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Post by Heather on Jan 19, 2012 11:25:23 GMT -5
Thanks Jennifer ciao
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Post by Sherry on Jan 19, 2012 11:41:39 GMT -5
That would really be appreciated!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2012 18:12:53 GMT -5
Finally getting time to write something Cold/Low-light Laser therapy is pretty new stuff in the US, and it's considered to be in "experimental stages". I know that cold laser is used more frequently in other countries, but from what I've read, there's still a lot to be learned. Typically, cold laser therapy is used on soft tissue to treat inflammation and pain. It stimulates healing and cell repair as well. One of the biggest controversies over Cold laser is whether or not cold laser therapy can stimulate/accelerate the growth of cancer. While many (most?) agree that laser therapy is unlikely to initiate cancer, some studies have demonstrated an acceleration of cancerous growths in both in vitro (laboatory) and in vivo (living) studies. That being said, cold laser therapy used incorrectly can actually slow healing and cause damage when used inappropriately. The machines can be put on different settings, treatments can be applied to different areas of the body, and the treatment can vary by the amount of time the tissue is exposed to the laser treatment. Other contributing factors in laser treatment include how many treatments are given and how frequently the treaments are given. As you can seem there are quite a few variables involved with laser therapy. We used laser therapy on my Shaman. Shaman had a stubborn lesion on his tail along with his advanced cardiomyopathy. I was not worried about the possibility of stimulating a cancer since Shaman's days were numbered - his heart was larger than a cat's. Shaman was given weekly treatments for 2.5 months. Each treatment cost only $25.00 (no office charge on top of that either- it was cheap.) He responded very favorably to the treatments. His energy levels increased by a remarkably noticeable level after treatment. By the end of the week, his energy levels would drop. Shaman received therapy on his tail, his rump/hind quarter, and thymus every week. The treatments were uneventful (I would just hold him in s position so they could shine the laser on him. ) His tail cleared up after about 4 treatments. he continued to benefit from the treatments and enjoyed a happy and playful quality of life until his heart could no longer sustain him. So, My thought on this is as follows: 1. laser is really experimental, and ferrets love to grow cancers. 2. there are a LOT of variables involved when using laser, and use of laser on ferrets is probably REALLY RARE (little knowledge) 3. My OPINION on using laser on ferrets is as follows: I would be concerned about trying laser on ferrets that may have a cancer (adrenal cancers are typically very slow growing). Since cancer is very common in ferrets, I'd probably wait for the therapy to be more widely used on ferrets before trying it on my own babies. HOWEVER, If your ferret is already dying from a non-cancerous issue (like my Shaman was), laser may be be something you may want to try. -jennifer
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Post by Sherry on Jan 22, 2012 19:59:38 GMT -5
Thanks Jennifer. I'm going to copy/paste this post to the medical resource section so we don't lose it.
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