Evaluating New Therapy for Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is a leading cause of pain and early retirement in working dogs. While medical or surgical treatment helps many dogs, up to 30% of canine patients fail to improve or have recurrence of symptoms. Studies in humans and horses show significant improvement in back pain after a treatment called extracorporeal shockwave therapy or ESWT. This safe and noninvasive treatment has not yet been evaluated in dogs. To fill this knowledge gap, researchers will assess the use of ESWT in dogs with the hope that this therapy will be equally as effective for the species. If this small pilot study is successful, findings will help inform larger ESWT clinical trials in dogs with lower back pain.