Efficacy of Medical Ozone as an Adjuvant Treatment in Dogs with Intervertebral Disc Protusions: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Ozone-therapy is used in humans as a coadjutant treatment in intervertebral disc diseases due to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. References in dogs are scarce and limited to clinical cases (intradiscal/paravertebral infiltrations). The aim of this study was to assess the use of medical ozone (MO) as an adjunctive treatment in dogs with intervertebral disc protrusions (Hansen Type II/Chronic). A retrospective study was conducted in dogs diagnosed with intervertebral disc protrusions by MRI/CT in which MO was used as an adjuvant therapy to conventional medical treatment. Neurological examination and quality of life (QL) at the beginning and end of study were recorded, as well as posology and possible side effects. A total of 21 patients of different breeds and sex with a mean age of 12 years were included in this study. Results showed pain relief (7 ± 3 days) and improvement of neurologic signs (11 ± 9 days) with a consequent increasement in QL (13 ± 9 days). Thirteen out of the twenty-one patients (62%) showed a complete remission of the clinical signs. No serious adverse effects were observed. Medical ozone could be a potential complementary therapy to medical treatment in dogs with intervertebral disc protrusions. Prospective studies are necessary.

Simple Summary: In humans, intervertebral disc degeneration is a chronic condition, the course of which leads to pain and inability to walk. Similarly, in dogs, intervertebral disc protrusion is a chronic pathology with a major impact on quality of life (QL). Surgical treatment is uncommon and conventional medical treatment is sometimes contraindicated due to the patient’s comorbidities, or is ineffective. New adjuvant strategies are being sought to improve patients’ QL. Of these, treatment with medicinal ozone (MO) is gaining prominence in recent years due to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. A retrospective clinical study was carried out in patients diagnosed with intervertebral disc protrusions in which MO was used as an adjuvant treatment to conventional medical treatment (physical rehabilitation, analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs) in an attempt to improve their QL. A total of 21 dogs were included in this study. All patients showed an improvement in neurological signs and spinal pain with a consequent improvement in QL. No serious adverse effects were observed. Ozone therapy could be a potential therapy to be consider as a complementary treatment in dogs with intervertebral disc protrusions where surgery is not possible and/or medical treatment is insufficient. Prospective studies are necessary.