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Labrador retriever enrolled study for dogs with back pain

Morris Animal Foundation Study for Dogs With Back Pain

Home » Blog » Morris Animal Foundation Study for Dogs With Back Pain
February 24, 2021 by Sharon Seltzer
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  • What the study will evaluate+−
    • Here's what is expected of dogs enrolled in the study:
  • Morris Animal Foundation
  • Read about other clinical trials
Labrador retriever enrolled study for dogs with back pain

If your dog has Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) or pain due to a spine or disc problem, you should know about this clinical trial. The Ohio State University (OSU) has been given the greenlight to start a study for dogs with back pain. It’s funded by Morris Animal Foundation.

The project will evaluate a treatment called extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT). Prime candidates are dogs with chronic lower back pain from IVDD or a spine or disc condition.

The veterinary school at OSU will be recruiting 20 adult, large-breed dogs over the next six months.

What the study will evaluate

Shockwave therapy works by delivering soundwaves to a patient. It decreases pain and speeds the healing process. The treatment has been successfully used on humans for years. It’s also proven to be helpful for horses with chronic back pain. This is the first clinical trial to see whether ESWT will be effective for dogs.

“We really don’t have any objective evidence at all for this treatment yet, but if it is effective for pain management, it could really make a difference in these patients’ lives,” said Dr. Nina Kieves, Assistant Professor of Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery at Ohio State. “Right now, we are limited to oral medications or invasive injections into the spinal area, so this could hopefully be an additional treatment option for these dogs.”

Morris Animal Foundation

In addition, Dr. Kieves thinks ESWT will be a good option because it’s an inexpensive form of therapy. Many dogs could potentially benefit from it.

Here’s what is expected of dogs enrolled in the study:

A physical exam will be given at OSU. It will assess how a dog walks, stands and distributes their weight.

Dogs will receive three ESWT treatments which will be spaced out every two-weeks. Each treatment takes about three minutes to complete.

Pet owners will be asked to complete a questionnaire throughout the study. They’ll be asked to report any changes in their dog’s behavior and level of pain.

Dogs will return to OSU for a post-treatment physical exam.

Morris Animal Foundation

If you haven’t heard of the Morris Animal Foundation, they’re a nonprofit organization that’s been doing good work for animals since 1948. They fund and conduct “critical health studies for the benefit of all animals.”

Dr. Janet Patterson-Kane, Morris Animal Foundation Chief Scientific Officer said, ““If the results are promising this work could provide veterinarians with another evidence-based tool to use for pain management, complementary to other pain reduction strategies.”

To learn more about the study or find out if your dog is eligible, email: Sean Anderson-Vie, Public Relations Associate Director with Morris Animal Foundation.

Read about other clinical trials

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About Sharon Seltzer

I’m a blogger, professional writer and co-founder of the Heaven Can Wait Animal Society. I’m also a pet mom who’s raised 9 dogs, 6 cats and lots of other critters. When my dog Sophie became paralyzed in 2008, it was a lonely experience. It took months to find all of the resources to help her live a quality life. My mission is to share those services with other pet owners and to teach people how to care for a disabled dog.

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DogWheelchairLife.com is a blog that teaches pet families how to care for their paralyzed dog. As the owner, I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and the Amazon Influencer Program. These are affiliate programs designed for sites to earn advertising fees (commissions) by linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate and Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, visit the Affiliate Disclosure page

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Dog Wheelchair LIFE teaches pet families how to care for their paralyzed dog. This is not a medical site and I am not a veterinarian. I am a blogger and pet mom who was the caretaker for Sophie, a paraplegic dog. I’m also a co-founder of the Heaven Can Wait Animal Society in Las Vegas, NV and an animal writer who has contributed to websites and magazines.

The information shared on this site is based on my personal experience and the research I do for each story. Please do not use the content from this blog in place of professional veterinary care.

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