Shockwave Therapy in Veterinary Medicine: Helping Pets and Horses Heal
Introduction
When our animals are hurt or in pain, we often look for the fastest and safest way to get them back to comfort. One treatment that has become increasingly popular in veterinary medicine is shockwave therapy. Although the name may sound a bit intimidating, this treatment is safe, non-invasive, and can be highly effective for many orthopedic and soft tissue problems. It has been widely used in human medicine for years — especially in sports medicine — and is now making a big difference for dogs, cats, and horses.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy uses high-energy sound waves (not electrical shocks) to stimulate healing inside the body. A special machine sends these waves into the injured tissue. As the waves pass through, they trigger biological changes that:
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Increase blood flow
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Reduce inflammation and pain
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Encourage the body to repair bone, tendon, ligament, or joint tissue
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Help break up scar tissue and stimulate new cell growth
In simple terms, shockwave “wakes up” the body’s natural healing systems and speeds up recovery.
Conditions It Can Help With
In Horses
Shockwave is especially popular in equine sports medicine. It can be used for:
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Tendon and ligament injuries (suspensory desmitis, bowed tendons)
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Joint arthritis
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Back and sacroiliac pain
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Navicular disease
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Kissing spine
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Delayed healing of bone injuries or stress fractures
Because it can reach deep tissues without surgery, it’s often used to get performance horses back into training and competition more safely.
In Dogs (and Cats)
Small animals can also benefit, particularly for:
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Hip and elbow arthritis
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Knee injuries (CCL tears, post-surgery recovery)
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Chronic back pain
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Slow-healing fractures or bone injuries
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Wounds and skin ulcers (in some cases)
In older dogs with arthritis, shockwave may help reduce stiffness, improve mobility, and cut down on the need for high doses of pain medication.
What Does a Treatment Look Like?
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Non-invasive: No cutting or surgery is involved.
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Sedation: Most animals are lightly sedated to keep them calm and comfortable, since the sound waves can be startling.
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Application: A hand-held probe is placed against the skin over the injured area. Treatments usually take 10–20 minutes.
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Schedule: Often given every 2–3 weeks, for a total of 2–4 sessions depending on the condition.
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy
✔ Drug-free pain relief – helpful for animals that cannot tolerate certain medications.
✔ Faster healing – especially for stubborn tendon or ligament injuries.
✔ Non-invasive – no surgery or long recovery times.
✔ Improved mobility – many owners notice their pets moving more freely within days to weeks.
✔ Versatile – can be used for bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and even certain wounds.
Is It Safe?
When performed by a trained veterinarian, shockwave therapy is considered very safe. The main risks are mild soreness at the treatment site or temporary swelling. Because sedation is often used, your vet will make sure your pet or horse is healthy enough for that beforehand.
Importantly, shockwave is not allowed in some equine competitions within a certain time frame before showing, since it can temporarily reduce pain. Your veterinarian will know the specific rules for your discipline.
Limitations to Keep in Mind
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Not a “magic bullet” — best results come when it’s part of a complete treatment plan (rest, controlled exercise, rehab, medications when needed).
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Some conditions need multiple sessions before real improvement is seen.
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Works better on certain tissues (tendons, ligaments, bone) than on others.
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Cost may be higher than traditional treatments, though often less than surgery.
Conclusion
Shockwave therapy is one of the most promising tools in veterinary medicine today for managing pain and speeding healing. For horses with sports injuries or dogs with arthritis and joint pain, it offers a safe, effective, and non-invasive option.
If your pet or horse is struggling with chronic pain or a slow-healing injury, ask your veterinarian whether shockwave therapy could be the right choice. It may just be the spark their body needs to start healing again.