New technology provides pain relief for pets in need at U of I

URBANA, Ill. (WAND) — The University of Illinois' Small Animal Clinic has gotten a new piece of technology that can transform your injured pet's life.

It's called extracorporeal shockwave therapy. According to Clinical Instructor of Rehabilitation Kim Knap, this system uses really intense sound waves to be able to cause a mechanical change in the cells.

Though loud clicking and some ultrasound gel, this machine can reach the damaged cells and return them to an inflammatory phase, which encourages them to fully heal.

In humans, ESWT can be used to treat conditions like Tennis elbow and Plantar fasciitis, according to the Mayo Clinic.

This new technology has worked wonders for a black lab named Farrah.

"Little Farrah has suffered with lower back pain her whole life. She was walking very, very stiff. Her tail carriage was lower," said Knap. "And her treatment for this shockwave literally changed her whole demeanor."

Knap explained that in the past, a technology like this used to be obnoxiously loud and "pretty painful."

But now, the noise is much quieter, and the pain levels have gone down astronomically. After she and other vet techs felt it themselves, they described it akin to a hairband being pulled lightly on the skin.

"Most of our patients tolerate it really well. We can use it on cats and horses," explained Knap.

In special cases, this remedy can relieve pain for up to 12 months.

This new equipment has been something Knap has wanted to purchase for years, but couldn't secure the funding for. Thanks to members of the community, donations provided the money to buy this tool.

"This particular unit costs $35,000 ... But we have a lot of very loyal, very great old clients, old friends of the rehab unit that, when I said 'I'd really like to get this.' We worked together to make it happen," said Knap.

This new technology, combined with their pulsed signal therapy unit, can really kickstart the healing process

"I have a lot of tools in my toolbox, and I don't use all of them everyday, every week, every month. But when something comes in that needs this kind of treatment, I can say we have it. We can do that for you," said Knap.