New Study for Feline Chronic Kidney Disease
Attention, devoted pet parents!
Dr. Ron Hirschberg, a pioneer in the field of Red Light Therapy, is partnering with MedcoVet to study a new treatment option for cats suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
What is Red Light Therapy?
Red Light Therapy, also known as Photobiomodulation (PBM), Laser Therapy and many other terms, has for over two decades helped pets and humans with many diseases and injuries, including arthritis, wound healing and pain relief.
The core principle behind Red Light Therapy is simple yet profound. Certain types of light, when used properly, can reduce inflammation in the body. By reducing inflammation, we can alleviate pain and return the body to it’s normal function. Since inflammation is a culprit in many diseases, the benefits of this therapy are far-reaching.
In 2012, Ron began a groundbreaking journey focused on using Light Therapy to treat Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), a devastating and incredibly common condition that affects up to 60% of cats over the age of 14. His initial findings were so compelling that they earned a nomination for an award at the 2016 American College of Laser Medicine and Surgery conference in Boston. If you’re curious about the specifics, you can check out the summarized results of the pilot study here.
Since treating his first 12 patients, he’s seen over 250 patients, with the vast majority showing significant improvement in their well-being. Pet Parents have observed increases in appetite, physical activity, and interactions with family, which translates to a much better quality of life. For many patients, key kidney health markers like Creatinine, BUN, and Phosphorous have either decreased or stabilized.
Initially, Ron administered treatment to patients in his clinic (Brockton Animal Hospital), but as circumstances evolved — including financial concerns, staff shortages, and the impact of COVID — he shifted towards a more flexible approach, combining in-clinic care with at-home treatments. To learn more about this hybrid model, please visit Current Alternatives in CRD PBM Treatment.
This new treatment model (of in clinic and home therapy) showed very promising results. He then began to work remotely via telemedicine with clients who only utilize at home devices.
The New Study
We would now like to learn if treatment ONLY at home have good results and are seeking participants for this study.
This new study will be undertaken with at home treatment exclusively, with periodic lab evaluations to monitor progress.
We would now like to learn if strictly at home therapy has the equivalent results of the hybrid model. We are seeking participants for the study. The pet parent will do all at home treatments under the supervision of Dr. Hirschberg and his team. Each treatment will take approximately 10-15 minutes once every other day. More frequent treatments may be advised if the pet is more seriously ill. It will be requested that periodic laboratory evaluations are undertaken at the client's veterinary hospital, initially within one month of the start of the patient's enrollment and then approximately every three months thereafter.
MedcoVet has agreed to provide logistical support as well as to provide Luma units at special pricing for study participants. These devices will be adjusted to the specific light parameters and can be rented monthly for the duration of participation in the study. Patients who continue throughout the total length of the project will be eligible to keep their units.
If you would like to have your pet considered for the study, please fill out the form below:
Sign up for the New Study With Dr. Hirschberg
Fill out the form below and we'll get you set up with a free consultation to see if your pet is a good candidate for home treatment with the Luma
