What is ozone?

Ozone therapy in medicine has been a growing supportive adjunctive modality to help both humans and animals heal faster. Ozone is a special form of oxygen composed of three oxygen atoms (O3); it is the addition of the third oxygen atom that gives ozone its remarkable medical benefits.

Ozone is created naturally in the atmosphere but can be produced through an ozone generator, invented by Nikola Tesla in the late 19th century. His ozone generator went into distribution in the early 1900s and main customers were naturopaths and allopaths that saw the power of the therapy. Telsa created a gel out of ozonated olive oil and sold it to doctors to help fight infections prior to the advent of antibiotics and modern day pharmaceuticals. Today it is regaining popularity and being used for many types of human and animal companion medical conditions; including, joint inflammation, Lyme disease, autoimmune disease, cancer and even Ebola.

What are the medical benefits of ozone?

In situations of injury, illness or disease, there is higher amount of carbon dioxide or CO2 in the body. This can cause more pain, swelling and discomfort. In fact, cancer cells thrive in the absence of oxygen. Flooding the body with ozone creates an oxygen rich environment that helps to reduce inflammation, heal ailments and fight disease. Giving the body oxygen in the form of O2 and O3 brings circulation and support for the much-needed mitochondria; the workhorse of the body’s cells. The more functional mitochondria available in the cells, the greater the body’s overall health and durability.

In veterinary medicine, ozone can treat many problems in animals as an alternative to costly surgical procedures. It has been beneficial in fighting Lyme disease, allergies, kidney and liver failure, cancer, parvo, pyoderma, and other bacterial and viral conditions. It is a safe and easy tool that can be delivered in a variety of ways. As a gas, it can be given in a variety of ways and in conjunction with other therapies. Combined with prolotherapy, in a procedure called Prolozone, it can treat cruciate injury, hip dysplasia and arthritis. Combined with saline, it can be given subcutaneously anywhere saline solution can be used. Ozone is a powerful anti-inflammatory and increases oxygen within the body. Using this in conjunction with other therapies may increase the effectiveness of the treatment.

Increasingly veterinarians are adding ozone therapy to their care and helping animals get healthier faster. Seek out a veterinarian that uses ozone therapy dentistry, surgery and animal care.

Ozone research and practitioners can be found through the American Academy of Ozonotherapy (aaot.us.) There are national and international conferences for one to witness all the evidence-based medicine and clinical trials that show how valuable ozone therapy is for human and animal life.

Margo Roman, DVM, CVA, COT ,CPT, FAAO, is a veterinarian at MASH Vet (Main St. Animal Services of Hopkinton). She has practiced integrative and functional veterinary medicine for almost 40 years. For more information, visit MASHVet.com.