LITHUANIAN AGRICULTURAL CONSULTING SERVICE
USE OF STP – 8 LASER DEVICE ON A SPORT HORSE FARM
DEMONSTRATIVE RESEARCH at Ona Gutkauskienė’s farm in Žačių village (Meškuičių eldership, Šiauliai Region)
Academy, Kėdainiai region, 2007 SUMMARY
The research was performed at Gutkauskienė’s farm, in the Šiauliai region. The farm owns approximately 150 sport horses. Horses which are intensely exercised often get hurt, and suffer from various traumas and health problems. During this research, various leg injuries, compound injuries, tendon strains, muscle function disorders, and mares’ temporary infertility were treated using laser therapy. During the period of research, the horses were treated using an STP-8 laser device according to the special research methodology. Research included a 7-day laser- treatment of horses once a day for 2 to 4 minutes. During the therapy, limb wounds started recovering and soon the wounds of all the horses healed completely. During the research, the symptoms which had emerged due to limb traumas and tendon strains were reduced. The above-mentioned symptoms disappeared completely within 2 to 3 weeks after the start of laser- treatment therapy. The disrupted functioning of certain muscle groups (back, loin, and rear limb) started recovering during the therapy and within three weeks was completely re-established. A temporary infertile mare came into estrus after a single session of laser-therapy. During this research, no medical preparations were used on the horses. Laser-treatment was 100 % effective.
INTRODUCTION
During the research, a low frequency infrared STP-8 laser device was used for the treatment and prophylaxis of horses. The depth of penetration of the laser beam was 70 cm or deeper. Laser technology in stock-raising is mostly used for the treatment and prophylaxis of inflammatory diseases. While using lasers for the treatment and prophylaxis of diseases, no antibiotics or other medicinal treatments are required. According to the research data, lasers are extremely effective for the treatment and prophylaxis of equine diseases. With the help of lasers, horses suffering from various muscle, joint, and tendon problems, or digestive, as well as respiratory diseases made a 100% recovery.
RESEARCH METHODS AND CONDITIONS
The research was performed at Ona Gutkauskienė’s farm in Žačių village, Meškuičių eldership, Šiauliai region. The aim of the research was to evaluate the impact of laser therapy on the following: recovery of limb wounds; elimination of muscle function disorders; elimination of rear-limb blood circulation disorders; treatment of limb bruising; treatment of tendon strains; prophylaxis of temporary infertility. At the beginning of the research, the condition of all the horses with health problems was evaluated, and a corresponding STP-8 laser treatment methodology was prepared. Four horses were being treated for lacerations and other leg wounds. The wounds were treated with the laser device once a day for 2 min. Treatment duration - 7 days. Two horses had back and loin muscle problems (weak back). These horses were being treated once a day for 2.5 min. Treatment duration - 7 days. One horse had a blood circulation disorder in the rear limbs. After bearing some physical load, the rear limbs of this horse became swollen. The pelvic area and rear limb muscles of this horse were laser-treated once a day for 2 min. on each side (in total 4 min/day). Treatment duration – 7 days. Two horses were treated for contusions. Limb areas contused were treated once a day for 2 min. Treatment duration – 7 days. One horse was treated for strained tendons in the fore limbs. The strained tendons were laser-treated once a day for 2 min. Treatment duration – 7 days. A mare called Puknis had temporary infertility problems. The mare was laser- treated once a day for 2.5 min. Treatment duration – 7 days.
Recommendations for prophylaxis treatment
During the lactation period, the area of the mammary gland should be exposed to laser irradiation for 30 seconds once in 2-3 months. On any two days of 4 - 5 days before planned parturition, the pelvic and abdominal areas of mares should be laser-treated once a day for 1 minute. After parturition, the animal should be laser-treated 1-2 times on any of 5 days after parturition. Duration of the session – 1 minute. It is recommended to expose offspring for 1-2 sessions of 30 seconds of laser treatment over the first week. The offspring are recommended to be exposed for a single session of 30 seconds of laser treatment.
Recommendations for animal treatment
1. Laser devices can be used for the treatment of the following surgical diseases: external sores; internal sores, bruises, strains, burns, abscesses, haematomas, swellings, hernias, joint inflammations, fractures. 2. Respiratory diseases. 3. Diseases of the digestive system. 4. Cardiovascular diseases. 5. Diseases of the reproductive organs. 6. Mastitis, orchitis, osteitis. RESEARCH RESULTS
The research has shown that use of laser devices for the treatment and prophylaxis of equine health disorders was effective.
Laser effectiveness for the treatment and prophylaxis of equine surgical and other diseases
No. Horse Disorder Treatment Duration name duration, of a Result days single session, min. 1. Delta-2 Open sores and Increased secretion from Haida other types of 7 2 wounds at the beginning Kornelija wounds on of the treatment; after 2-3 Sofi limbs. days the wounds started healing rapidly; towards the end of the treatment course, wounds recovered completely. 2. Puknis Temporary 7 2,5 The mare came into infertility estrus after a single session of laser- treatment. 3. Hanas Swollen rear Limbs stopped swelling limbs after 7 4 after three sessions of bearing physical laser treatment; after 7 loads. sessions, limbs did not swell after light load; complete recovery within a period of three weeks. 4. Lordas Weak back and Lord’s muscle functions loin muscles. 7 2,5 recovered during the Black Boy period of the research; Black Boy’s muscle functions improved; however, they were not restored completely. 5. Balansas Limb contusion. Balansas recovered 7 2 during the period of the Saliutas research. Saliutas recovered during a period of three weeks. 6. Era Strained limb Complete recovery after tendons. 7 2 two weeks.
The research has shown that the use of laser devices is extremely effective for the treatment of open lacerations and other wounds (chaffed skin under the saddle; bruises; etc.). All kinds of wounds healed without the use of any medications. Laser technology was also effective for the prophylaxis of temporary infertility. After a single session, a mare called Puknis came into estrus. In order to strengthen the immunity of the mare, she was exposed for a 7-day course of laser treatment. The horse Hanas had some problems of blood circulation in the rear limbs. After bearing physical loads, the limbs became swollen. After a 7-day course of laser treatment, the disorder disappeared gradually, over a period of three weeks. The horses Lordas and Black Boy suffered from back and loin muscle function disorders. After a 7-day laser treatment course, Lord’s muscle functions gradually recovered. Black Boy’s muscle function in the groups mentioned improved, however, the process of recovery was longer. Laser treatment was extremely effective for the treatment of various limb contusions and tendon strains. After the end of the research period, the horses were observed for 3 more months. All the horses looked well and trained according to the training programme of the stud farm.
FINDINGS The low frequency, infrared STP–8 laser device is a suitable device for the treatment and prophylaxis of equine inflammatory diseases. Using laser treatment therapy, no medications are required. Laser treatment is an extremely effective measure for the treatment and prophylaxis of surgical diseases. Laser can be a good replacement for antibiotics. Laser treatment therapy is easy to perform; therefore, the operator does not need any special training. Lasers are effective, cheap and safe devices for the treatment and prophylaxis of animals. Further research on the use of lasers on stock-raising farms is required.
Dr. Edmundas Paulauskas