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• Stem Cell Therapy

  Stem cells are unspecialized cells that can renew themselves though cell division. Under certain conditions, they can become a specific tissue or organ cell. Stem cell therapy is the process of placing stem cells from the body into diseased or damaged tissues. This process is often referred to as regenerative medicine.

• Steroid Treatment: Effects in Dogs

  Corticosteroids, commonly called steroids, are hormones naturally produced in the adrenal glands to help regulate many functions in the body, including the stress response, immune system activity, inflammation, nutrient metabolism, and electrolyte balance. This handout discusses why steroids are used and the key short- and long-term side effects.

• Subcutaneous Fluid Administration in Dogs: Bag Method

  Supplemental fluids can benefit dogs with a variety of medical conditions. Your veterinarian can teach you to administer fluids subcutaneously (under the skin). Giving injections is outside the comfort zone for most outside the medical profession but is not nearly as difficult as it sounds.

• Subcutaneous Fluid Administration in Dogs: Syringe Method

  Supplemental fluids can benefit dogs with a variety of medical conditions. Your veterinarian can teach you to administer fluids subcutaneously (under the skin). Giving injections is not nearly as difficult as it sounds.

• Surgical Pins and Plates in Dogs

  The main objectives of fracture repair are to promote rapid healing of the fracture and to get the dog using its leg as quickly as possible. In most cases, this involves rebuilding the broken bone and fixing it in that position with metallic implants. This handout outlines the procedure, post-operative care, and prognosis.

• Tarsal Arthrodesis in Dogs

  Tarsal arthrodesis is a surgery used to treat instability in the hock/ankle joint. Reasons for surgery and what to expect during recovery are discussed.

• Techniques for Nebulization and Coupage in Dogs

  Nebulization and coupage are used in patients with a variety of lung conditions and can be performed by veterinary staff and pet owners. Nebulization can be used to deliver moisture or medication to the lungs. Coupage is often recommended for patients with pneumonia or bronchitis to help loosen secretions in the lower airways.

• The Role of Nutrition in Managing Urinary Stones

  Nutrition plays an essential role in treating and preventing urinary stones (uroliths). Since the diet can affect urine dilution, composition and pH, pet foods can be critical to the success or failure of treatment and prevention. Important factors are covered, such as the importance of water intake, diet composition, relative supersaturation (RSS) testing, and urinary diets.

• Therapeutic Laser

  Therapeutic laser is the application of light energy to areas of the body to stimulate healing. This light–tissue interaction is called photobiomodulation. In the past, therapeutic laser was often referred to as low-level or cold laser (as opposed to a surgical or hot laser).

• Therapeutic Massage and Your Dog

  As veterinarians become more conscious of the details and nuances of how dogs experience pain, they search for more methods with which to battle both acute and chronic pain in these patients. It is quite common now to look to human medicine for ideas and techniques that can be applied to dogs who are dealing with pain issues to help them feel better and to help relive their pain and discomfort. Therapeutic massage is one example of a physical medicine technique that has found a place in the canine pain management toolbox.