Page 151 - Veterinary Laser Therapy in Small Animal Practice

Pointing light at musculoskeletal and neurological conditions: clinical applications 137

• Owners were advised to purchase an NMES device to perform stimulation at home, with electrodes
on the hamstrings and gluteus muscles.
• Massage, standing exercises, slow assisted walking, passive ROM.
• Owner education: together with the exercises, a veterinary-formulated home-cooked diet was prescribed
to control weight. Non-slippery surfaces were displayed at home, and owners were encouraged to walk

her over different surfaces such as sand and grass.
• Outcome: pain disappeared after the second session, and after the third visit P. was able to stand by herself
for several minutes and take some steps with assistance. By the fifth visit she was able to take a few steps

without assistance (ambulatory paraparesis) and Cavaletti rails were introduced. By the seventh visit she was
able to walk for 5 min without falling and had lost 1 kg and increased thigh circumference by 1 cm. A month
later only a slight ataxia remained, which disappeared after two more visits. Owners were advised to perform
a home exercise program on a regular (although less intense) basis.

Figure C15.1 Patient, case Figure C15.2 Assisted Figure C15.3 Sling-assisted Figure C15.4 TENS over the
no. 15. exercise on ground treadmill. walking. thoracolumbar area.

P (W) Tx time J/cm 2 Total J/Tx Spot (cm ) W/cm 2 Tx/week No. Tx
2
a
2/week, then
100–200 s (1.6–3.2 1 every 2
6 8–10 600–1200 5 1.6 10
min) weeks, then
1/month

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