Ozone therapy in veterinary medicine: a complete guide
Ozone therapy uses medical ozone as a therapeutic agent across many conditions in dogs, cats and horses, including disorders of the circulatory system.
Introduction
Ozone therapy is a therapeutic technique that uses medical ozone, a blend of oxygen and ozone, as a therapeutic agent across a wide range of conditions. Veterinary practice has adopted this therapy in both standalone and complementary roles, for the treatment of dogs and cats as well as horses.
It is a natural therapy with few contraindications and minimal side effects when performed correctly. First introduced in Germany 60 years ago, ozone therapy is today recognized by the health systems of many countries, including Germany itself, France, Italy, Russia, Australia, Switzerland, Poland, Ukraine, Egypt, Greece and Cuba, as well as in 15 U.S. states.
In Brazil, where it was first used 40 years ago, the body of academic work on the subject has grown considerably, according to the Brazilian Association of Ozone Therapy (Aboz). The association advocates for the regulation and wider dissemination of the technique.
Ozone therapy in veterinary practice
Dr. Alexandre Martini de Brum, a veterinarian trained at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) with a doctorate in canine and feline nephrology and urology, advocates the use of ozone therapy, alongside stem cell therapy and clinical nutrition, as a cornerstone of so-called integrative and preventive medicine.
According to Aboz, the list of conditions that benefit from ozone therapy is broad. It includes disorders caused by circulatory problems, viral diseases such as hepatitis, herpes simplex and herpes zoster, joint pain stemming from chronic inflammatory disease, infected wounds that are slow to heal, and even complementary therapy for several types of cancer.
Sueli Moreira da Silva, a veterinarian from Espirito Santo state who specializes in ozone therapy and acupuncture within complementary veterinary medicine, notes that she has used ozone in dogs and cats for viral, respiratory, bacterial and fungal conditions, as well as cancerous, ophthalmic, dermatological, orthopedic and intervertebral disc disease (discopathy), among others.
Precautions and applications
Aboz also warns of some contraindications for this therapy. The main one is the organic deficiency of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), known as favism, owing to the risk of hemolysis. In addition, conditions such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, severe hypertension and severe anemia must be stabilized before ozone therapy is administered.
The concentrations of medical ozone, as well as the method of administration, vary according to the disease being treated. In veterinary practice, ozone therapy is widely used for conditions arising from circulatory system problems, thanks to ozone's strong ability to stimulate the circulation not only of blood but also of lymph throughout the body.
As is well known, dysfunction of a system as complex as the circulatory one can lead to a wide variety of diseases, which the veterinarian should take into account during the clinical examination of any pet, all the more so because these are silent conditions, in animals as in people.
Heart disease and ozone therapy
Most circulatory system diseases are tied to cardiac function. Let's review a few of them so you can be even more alert during your next clinical assessments.
Most of the time, auscultation and palpation alone already provide good clues to the condition. Naturally, in more serious cases, specialized tests are needed. As we have seen, ozone therapy for both dogs and cats is also indicated for the majority of circulatory diseases. Follow along with us:
Arrhythmia · As the name suggests, this is an irregularity of the heartbeat, sometimes faster, sometimes slower. It is corrected with medication or surgery.
Chronic venous insufficiency · The deep veins of the legs are damaged, forming blood clots and thereby raising blood pressure. This condition, also called phlebitis, is accompanied by itching and swelling.
Angina · This is a blockage of the blood vessels in the chest that restricts the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. The required treatment is precisely to increase or restore that flow.
Peripheral vascular disease · This circulatory condition is located mainly in the veins and arteries far from the heart and brain. One of its most common symptoms is difficulty walking due to pain. In advanced stages, this pain in the feet can persist even at rest.
Other circulatory diseases · The circulatory system runs throughout the body of both humans and animals, so the list of diseases is very long. Examples include acute coronary syndrome, endocarditis, valvular pulmonary stenosis, thrombophlebitis, ventricular tachycardia and temporal arteritis, among others.
Conclusion
Did you already know that ozone therapy can support the treatment of circulatory diseases, preventing problems and complementing other treatments? Leave your comment.