Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) is a non-invasive, pain-free modality used in pets to reduce pain, inflammation, and anxiety. Research in humans and animals shows that PEMF can activate natural healing processes, resulting in faster healing and improved outcomes with minimal side effects. The Central Houston Animal Hospital team offers rehabilitation services for pets and often includes PEMF therapy in comprehensive treatment plans designed to optimize recovery from injury, surgery, or disease. However, most pet owners are unfamiliar with this therapy type, so we are offering a PEMF overview and how treatments can benefit your pet.

What is pulsed electromagnetic field therapy?

PEMF therapy uses a device—often a wand, loop, or mat—that generates an electromagnetic field. The waves created by the device transmit signals into tissues and induce beneficial changes at the cellular level. Different devices are tuned to specific frequencies that target individual tissues over a wide usage range. Various PEMF devices and treatment protocols have been studied in humans and animals for nearly 100 years and we now have several FDA-approved options for humans and pets. The most widely known PEMF application is the use of bone growth stimulators for non-healing fractures in humans.

How does pulsed electromagnetic field therapy work in pets?

The signals generated by a PEMF device mimic the tiny electrical signals generated by body cells and can stimulate increased nitric oxide (NO) production. The extra NO molecules then alter or improve inflammation, pain, cellular metabolism, and tissue growth and repair. NO regulates many other chemical mediators and cells and can help the body produce more feel-good molecules, such as serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers.

What can pulsed electromagnetic field therapy treat in pets?

PEMF therapy is especially useful in conditions that cause delayed wound or bone healing, but specific devices can target different therapeutic concerns. Pets with orthopedic injuries or conditions generally benefit most from this therapy. Studies have shown the following benefits in various clinical scenarios:

  • Faster recovery from osteotomy (i.e., bone cutting) surgeries
  • Reduced clinical signs in canine osteoarthritis
  • Reduced incision site pain, fewer inflammatory biomarkers, and better balance after spinal decompression surgeries in dogs
  • Enhanced blood vessel growth and tissue oxygenation to improve wound healing in rats
  • Reduced inflammatory cell mediators in rats’ brains

Outside the laboratory, veterinarians use PEMF to treat arthritis, spinal disease, neurological disorders, fractures, non-healing wounds, and separation or generalized anxiety. However, PEMF therapy’s primary goal is accelerating the body’s natural healing processes and speeding up recovery from various ailments.

Is pulsed electromagnetic field therapy safe for pets?

PEMF therapy is exceptionally safe for pets of all ages and conditions and studies show no significant side effects or negative interactions with other therapies. However, PEMF uses an electromagnetic field that could theoretically disrupt implantable devices (e.g., pacemakers) and is not recommended for use in pets who rely on these delicate electronics.

What should I expect from my pet’s pulsed electromagnetic field therapy?

PEMF therapy protocols vary widely depending on the device, condition treated, and condition severity. A veterinary rehabilitation professional can customize a specific protocol for a pet and advise the owner when adjustments are needed. You may see results in pets with acute issues after only one to two sessions, or after two to four weeks in pets with chronic ailments. 

Why choose pulsed electromagnetic field therapy over other treatments for pets?

PEMF therapy is a good choice for pets recovering from various conditions, surgeries, and injuries, because of the treatment’s versatility. PEMF is safe for most pets—so much so that several FDA-cleared devices are available for purchase and home use on the advice of a veterinary professional. They combine well with other therapies and do not require taking pills or painful injections, which anxious pets appreciate.

Sometimes, pets need extra help to recover from an injury or disease, and the best approach is often multi-modal. Our Central Houston Animal Hospital team can prescribe PEMF therapy as a safe alternative or adjunct to traditional medications or procedures. Call us to book an appointment.