Ozone Therapies for Pets
Rose DiLeva VMD, MS, CVCP, CVA
Ozone was discovered in 1785. It has been utilized medically for over 100 years for its antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, immune modulating and anti-cancer effects. Nikola Tesla patented the first ozone generator in 1896. Ozone is the best sterilizer on the planet and has been used all over the worlds to treat water, swimming pools and spas.
Ozone therapies have now entered the veterinary medical field and have been shown to be beneficial in numerous medical conditions. Ozone is created in nature when lightning strikes and splits oxygen molecules. Oxygen in the air we breathe contains 2 oxygen atoms (O2). Ozone contains 3 oxygen atoms (O3). This 3 atom molecule is very unstable and short-lived, yet very powerful.
All cells and tissues in the body perform at maximum capacity when ozone therapy is utilized. Aging and all degenerative diseases are caused by a decrease in oxygen utilization . According to Dr. Stephen Levine, all serious disease states are also in a low oxygen state and that, “ hypoxia, or lack of oxygen in the tissues, is the fundamental cause for all degenerative disease.” Consequently, all ozone therapies will help your pet’s cells and organs function at maximum capacity and their body will heal faster. Everything in the body works better with that extra oxygen molecule, called ozone.
Ozone therapy will increase energy production in the cells by “ feeding” the mitochondria, found within all cells. The mitochondria is the powerhouse energy producer in all cells of the body. Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Otto Warburg, showed that decreased oxygen utilization caused by decreased mitochondrial function is the underlying factor in the development and progression of all disease processes. As such, oxygen utilization by all the cells is improved by ozone therapy.
Ozone activates and boosts the immune system. It sets off a cascade of a multitude of positive reactions involving the entire immune system. Ozone also will decrease inflammation in the body. This is very important because all disease processes, including cancer, are associated with inflammation. With inflammation comes higher carbon dioxide activity which contributes to pain. Ozone will decrease the carbon dioxide, therefore, decreasing pain and inflammation.
Ozone inactivates and kills bacteria, fungi, viruses, yeast and protozoa. Healthy cells are protected by an enzyme system within the cells coating. Bacteria and viruses do not have this coating. Cancer cells, microbes and sick cells do not have this protection and consequently, can be destroyed by the oxidative stress caused by ozone therapy. In my practice, I always utilize ozone therapy as part of my cancer treatments.
Ozone also helps red blood cells pass through the capillaries and smaller blood vessels more easily and with less viscosity. By improving the flexibility of the red blood cells, ozone helps in situations where the blood vessel is narrow or partially clogged.
The use of ozone therapy in veterinary medicine is quite significant. I can find a use for it in almost all disease states or medical situations. I have utilized ozone therapy in kidney disease, liver disease, gastrointestinal problems (chronic diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, IBD- inflammatory bowel disease), pain relief, tick borne diseases such as lyme disease, cancer, chronic ear problems, skin diseases (hot spots, dermatitis, skin wounds), autoimmune diseases, allergies, eye infections, dental issues, infectious diseases and neurological diseases.
There are a number of ways to treat with ozone therapy. The following will describe each method:
Major Autohemotherapy (MAHT) is when a certain amount of blood is taken from your pet, mixed with ozone gas and then reintroduced back into a vein. The amount of blood removed is dependent on your pet’s weight. The whole process usually takes less than an hour.
Minor Autohemotherapy (mAHT) is when a small amount of blood (usually less than a teaspoon) is taken from your pet, mixed with ozone gas and then injected intramuscularly. It can also be injected into and around tumors. The whole process takes about 15 minutes in most cases.
O3UV is Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation (Ultraimmunotherapy) combined with ozone therapy in the form of Major Autohemotherapy. This involves taking blood from your pet and mixing it with ozone gas. This mixture is then placed into a cuvette and passed through a unit that treats the blood with 3 different types of ultraviolet light. The length of time the blood is treated depends on the amount of blood removed and the weight of your pet. The treated blood is then reintroduced into a vein slowly. This process usually takes 45-60 minutes in a medium sized dog. This process will inactivate any bacteria, virus or fungi that can cause disease. The ultraviolet light kills all the pathogens (germs). Ozone has anti-inflammatory effects, boosts the immune system and suppresses an overactive immune system (which is the case with allergies). Ozone modulates the immune system. Illness that can benefit from O3UV treatments includes tick borne diseases like Lyme disease, auto-immune diseases, viral infections, bacterial infections, liver disease, kidney disease, respiratory conditions and circulatory problems.
Rectal Insufflation is the infusion of ozone gas into the colon via a catheter. This is by far the easiest and quickest way to get ozone into the body. The process is quick and all the pets do well. I utilized this treatment on a daily basis in my practice.
Ear Insufflation involves using ear coverings like ear muffs and infuses ozone directly into the ear canals. This can only be done by percolating ozone gas through olive oil first. Ozone gas can be harmful to the lungs and should not be directly breathed. Percolating ozone gas through olive oil will transform ozone gas to ozone vapor which produce ozonides, which are safe to inhale. This treatment is particularly helpful in chronic ear conditions, sinusitis and all circulatory conditions of the head and neck.
Ozonated fluids, like physiological saline, can be given subcutaneously under the skin or intravenously. They can be used to flush wounds, decubitus ulcers and burns. Ozonated fluids will relieve pain and inflammation while inactivating pathogens. Infected eyes and ears can be flushed with ozonated saline.
Limb bagging is the external treatment of conditions by pumping ozone gas into a specially made bag with the edges of the bag sealed. This is an excellent treatment for wounds.
Ozone gas can be injected into and around tumors to help shrink them. This usually needs to be done on a weekly basis, twice a week if possible.
Ozone gas can be injected directly into joints using prolotherapy called prolozone. A combination of procaine, dextrose, vitamins, saline and homeopathics is injected into the joint followed by ozone gas. This is beneficial with tendon and ligament problems.
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