SHOCKWAVE THERAPY (ESWT)

What is shockwave therapy?

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) uses focused acoustic pulses delivered through the skin to targeted areas of the body. The pulses stimulate blood flow and cellular activity in the treated tissue, which is thought to support the body's natural healing and pain-relief processes.

Treatment is quick, doesn't require sedation for most dogs, and sessions are typically spaced one to three weeks apart, with most dogs receiving one to three sessions total.

What we use it for:

I recommend shockwave therapy as part of a broader treatment plan for:

• Osteoarthritis, to help ease joint stiffness and support comfort

• Tendon and ligament injuries, to support the healing process - especially CCL injuries, biceps tendinitis, achilles tendinitis.

  • Forelimb and Shoulder Tendinopathies

    • Supraspinatus Tendinopathy: Degeneration of the tendon at the front of the shoulder. It often involves scar tissue buildup or painful calcium deposits (calcific tendonitis).

    • Bicipital Tendinopathy: Chronic irritation or tearing of the biceps brachii tendon. It causes front-leg limping that typically worsens after heavy play or exercise.

    • Infraspinatus Tendinopathy: Damage to the stabilizing tendon on the side of the shoulder. It can lead to a distinct, rigid leg-swinging gait if the tissue becomes fibrotic.

  • Hind Limb and Groin Tendinopathies

    • Achilles (Common Calcaneal) Tendinopathy: Degeneration of the complex tendon structure above the hock (ankle). Severe progression causes a "dropped" or flat-footed, plantigrade stance where the heel sinks toward the ground.

    • Iliopsoas Tendinopathy: An overuse or strain injury of the core groin muscle tendon where it attaches to the inner thigh bone. This frequently happens secondary to other joint issues like hip dysplasia.

    • Patellar Tendinopathy: Chronic strain or microscopic tearing of the tendon wrapping around the kneecap.

• Slow-healing wounds or bone injuries, to encourage tissue repair

• General soreness after activity or surgery — for short-term pain relief

What to expect during a session

Your dog stays comfortable and awake for most treatments. We'll apply a coupling gel and pass the treatment head over the area we're targeting, adjusting intensity to your dog's comfort. Sessions usually take just a few minutes per site. Some dogs feel a little tingling or mild sensitivity, but most tolerate it well.

Patients can commonly get sore for a short period after shockwave therapy.

Why and How Long They Get Sore

• Inflammatory response: The treatment intentionally triggers a controlled, acute inflammatory response to jumpstart healing in chronic, stagnant tissues.

• Peak soreness: This temporary increase in discomfort typically peaks within 24 to 48 hours after the session.

• Duration: The soreness usually resolves completely within 3 to 4 days as the acute phase subsides.

Important Aftercare Rules

• We will go over the important rules

A note on what the research shows

Shockwave therapy has been studied in dogs for conditions like osteoarthritis, tendon and ligament injuries, and bone healing, and many pet parents and vets report noticing improvements. It's worth knowing that the research in dogs is still fairly limited — the studies so far are few and small, so shockwave therapy is best thought of as a complementary option we use alongside — not instead of — proven treatments like medication, weight management, and physical rehab. We're happy to talk through whether it's a good fit for your dog's specific situation.

(Shockwave therapy has been much more extensively studied in horses; research specifically in cats is currently very limited, so we evaluate feline candidates case by case.)

Is my dog a good candidate?

Every dog is different, and shockwave therapy isn't right for every condition. Book a consultation and we'll assess your dog, walk you through the options, and help you decide whether shockwave therapy makes sense as part of their care plan.