drbrunke

  • A Brief Review of Laser Therapy in Veterinary Medicine

    Laser therapy, more accurately termed photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), has become a cornerstone of multimodal pain management and rehabilitation in veterinary medicine. Whether used to treat osteoarthritis (OA), tendon or ligament injuries, wounds, or neurological conditions, laser therapy can improve outcomes, speed recovery, and enhance quality of life. But not all… Listen ⇢

  • Understanding Osteoarthritis in Puppies: A New Veterinary Resource for Pet Owners

    This is a review of an article I helped write with a fantastic team of other veterinarians, to see the full article scroll to the bottom of this post. Osteoarthritis (OA) isn’t just a problem for older dogs—it can start in puppies and young dogs too. As one of the… Listen ⇢

  • Synovetin OA: Using Radioisotopes to Manage Arthritis

    Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common causes of chronic pain in both dogs and cats. It affects the joints, causing inflammation, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Many pets suffer in silence as they age, and while traditional treatments like anti-inflammatories and joint supplements can help, they often fall short… Listen ⇢

  • Who’s Best at Judging a Dog’s Shape and Fitness?

    This was a recent study done by our research team looking at how consistently explosive detection dog handlers and veterinarians rated their dogs on two key measures: The study involved 43 working dogs, including breeds like Belgian Malinois and German Shepherds, all assessed by both handlers and three different veterinary… Listen ⇢

  • Advanced Pain Relief and Healing: Shockwave Therapy for Dogs and Cats

    Since 2017, I’ve been using extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) as a non-invasive, evidence-based tool to treat musculoskeletal conditions in both dogs and cats. From osteoarthritis (OA) and tendinopathies to lumbosacral (LS) disease, ESWT has become a cornerstone of my multimodal treatment approach, helping pets move more comfortably and recover more… Listen ⇢

  • Why CT Scans Are a Game-Changer for Diagnosing Mobility Issues in Dogs

    If your dog is limping, struggling to get up, or showing signs of back or joint pain, it’s natural to want answers quickly. Traditionally, X-rays (radiographs) have been the go-to diagnostic tool for evaluating orthopedic conditions in pets. While they still play a valuable role, more advanced imaging options, like… Listen ⇢

  • Developmental Orthopedic Disease and Osteoarthritis in Dogs: A Synovial, Immunomodulatory Disease

    OverviewDevelopmental orthopedic diseases (DODs) are a group of musculoskeletal disorders that occur during skeletal growth in dogs. Conditions such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), and angular limb deformities are common examples. These developmental abnormalities frequently lead to altered joint mechanics and instability, predisposing dogs to the early… Listen ⇢

  • Rethinking Joint Supplements: What Really Works?

    For years, glucosamine and chondroitin have been the go-to joint supplements recommended for dogs with osteoarthritis. But as veterinary research continues to evolve, so do our treatment strategies, and not all supplements live up to the hype. A recent systematic review published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science (Goggs et al.,… Listen ⇢

  • Honoring a True Hero: K9 Hurricane and the Legacy of Hurricane’s Heroes

    There are dogs, and then there are heroes—K9 Hurricane was both. K9 Hurricane was a U.S. Secret Service Special Operations dog who served with unmatched courage, most famously stopping an intruder who breached the White House fence in 2014. For his bravery, he received national and international recognition, including the… Listen ⇢

Matt Brunke, DVM, DACVSMR (Canine)

Topics on animal mobility, chronic pain, and One Health overlap

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