NPAIDs, once largely relegated to the rehab setting, have gained a foothold in daily practice as veterinarians report how these nonpharmaceutical anti-inflammatory devices successfully treat an array of conditions in pets.<\/p>\n
The benefits can be financial as well when practitioners prescribe pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) products like the Assisi Loop and the Ivivi Roma for either in-clinic or at-home administration.<\/p>\n
A feline-friendly veterinary hospital, for example, can develop an NPAID protocol for treating chronic osteoarthritis in senior cats that score sufficiently high on the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index. While in-office laser therapy remains an option, some clients may prefer to take home a PEMF device rather than subject their pet to stressful, frequent trips to the clinic.<\/p>\n
These clients often receive a take-home Assisi Loop good for three months\u2019 use before it needs to be replaced. Assuming the veterinary team uses the NPAID protocol in 153 cases a year that are identified as appropriate for treatment, added income of $60,000 may be generated.<\/p>\n
NPAIDs are increasingly being used to control inflammation and pain in animals without side effects. The most rigorously tested NPAIDs marketed for veterinary use are a group of 510(k) devices cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to target pain and inflammation in people. 510(k) devices differ from unregulated therapeutic tools in that the FDA reviews the devices\u2019 performance and concurs that they meet required safety and efficacy standards.<\/p>\n
The 510(k) class includes certain PEMF devices like the Assisi Loop and some Class IIIb and Class IV lasers, such as select offerings from Companion Therapy Laser and Cutting Edge.<\/p>\n
In their traditional role, NPAIDs are used alone or in conjunction with other modalities, such as NSAID medications, acupuncture, cryotherapy and heat therapy, to treat a chronic condition.<\/p>\n
Erin Troy, DVM, CCRP, CVPP, the medical director at Muller Veterinary Hospital in Walnut Creek, California, prescribes NPAIDs more often these days.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe started out using them on maybe 4 or 5 percent of patients and now about 15 percent, Dr. Troy said. \u201cInitially, we were using NPAIDs on our rehab patients to treat muscle pain, for example. Now, the scope of patients we use NPAIDs on is much broader and includes those with ear infections, gingivitis, post-op pain and wound healing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The hardest part of instituting any change in a veterinary practice is often knowing how to get started. Veterinarians who wish to effectively incorporate NPAIDs into their hospitals may want to do this:<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce the veterinarian is comfortable with a device\u2019s uses and effects, it can be incorporated into practice protocols and used on clients\u2019 pets,\u201d Dr. McCauley said.<\/p>\n
For Elizabeth Colleran, DVM, MS, DABVP (feline), the starting point can be the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index to identify good patients.<\/p>\n
Many times, NPAIDS are what the doctor then orders.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a win all around for the vet, patient and owner,\u201d Dr. Colleran said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NPAIDs, once largely relegated to the rehab setting, have gained a foothold in daily practice as veterinarians report how these nonpharmaceutical anti-inflammatory devices successfully treat an array of conditions in pets.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":47,"featured_media":549,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[331],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-548","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-august-september-2017","clinical_topics-patient-care","clinical_topics-sponsored"],"acf":{"hide_sidebar":false,"hide_sidebar_ad":false,"hide_all_ads":true},"yoast_head":"\n