How Does Prolozone Therapy Work?

  • The injection delivers ozone, which stimulates circulation and biochemical healing in the target tissue.
  • Nutrients and vitamins (and sometimes mild anesthetic) support cell metabolism and reduce inflammation.
  • Improved oxygen delivery helps injured tissues regenerate healthier tissue rather than scar tissue.
  • The treatment promotes proliferation of new connective tissue and joint cartilage, strengthening unstable joints or improving joint function.

What Conditions Can It Help With?

  • Partial or complete ligament tears or tendon/ligament injuries when surgery is not an option or surgery is needing to be delayed for any reason. Prolozone does not limit / prevent surgery from being performed at any time if surgery is needed.
  • Joint instability or early degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis).
  • Chronic pain from joint wear or animals for whom surgery is not optimal.
  • Soft tissue injuries, chronic inflammation around joints, and sometimes support for wound healing or rehabilitation.
  • IVDD-related back pain.
  • Post-surgical patients with ongoing arthritis to support recovery and improve joint function.

What to Expect During and After Treatment?

  • This is an outpatient procedure and is often performed in an exam room with the owners present.
  • Most patients do not require sedation. In rare cases — such as anxious or very large/complex patients — a short‑acting, reversible sedative may be used.
  • The area is typically injected under the skin with the prepared solution (ozone + nutrients + local anesthetic). In some cases, the solution may injected directly into a joint. In these cases, we recommend injectable sedation prior to the treatment.
  • After treatment, most animals can go home immediately and begin gentle activity per your veterinarian’s instructions.
  • Some improvement may be noticed quickly, while further gains occur over several days to weeks to months. Some may only see improvement after several therapies depending upon individualized response. We may recommend additional therapies to prolozone which could include acupuncture, physical therapy, herbals, +/- western pain medications (depending on the health of your pet and your goals).
  • A series of treatments (e.g., 2‑6 or more) spaced every 4 weeks may be recommended depending upon the condition being treated.
  • Mild soreness or stiffness for 24‑48 hours post‑injection can occur, but serious side‑effects (infection) are extremely uncommon due to high safety of prolozone therapy.

Benefits

  • Minimally invasive compared to major surgery.
  • Strengthens injured ligaments/tendons and improves joint stability/function rather than simply masking pain.
  • May reduce the long‑term need for pain medications or delay/avoid surgery in some cases.
  • Can be part of a broader integrative plan (physical rehab, diet, weight control, joint supplements) to optimize outcomes.
  • Can be used post-surgery to support ongoing arthritis management.
  • Can help support recovery from IVDD-related back pain.

Important Considerations & Limitations

  • The therapy is considered experimental or investigational in some mainstream care settings, however in our experience, approximately 85% of patients respond favorably to treatment, experiencing improved quality and quantity of life.
  • Low risk of mild discomfort, injection site reaction, or very rarely infection.
  • Effectiveness depends on injury duration, tissue damage, patient health, weight, and adherence to rehabilitation/maintenance.
  • It is not a guaranteed cure; expectations should be realistic, as with any type of treatment or therapy.
  • Sedation is not routinely needed, but may be used if it improves comfort and safety or if intra-articular injections are performed.
  • It is important that you discuss your goals for your pet with your integrative veterinarian so the best integrated plan can be developed together. Depending on your goals, treatment may involve a mixture of Western and Eastern therapies. If Mountain View Animal Hospital and Holistic Pet Care is not your primary veterinarian, we can work side by side with your primary vet to ensure the best outcomes for your pet.

Prolozone therapy offers a promising, less-invasive option for supporting healing of joint, ligament, and tendon injuries in pets. This is an outpatient procedure often performed in an exam room with the owners present. At our clinic, we typically do not need to sedate our patients, and sedation is reserved for rare or complex cases. In our experience, approximately 85% of patients respond favorably to treatment, experiencing improved quality and quantity of life.

Discuss your goals with your integrative veterinarian so a tailored plan can be created. We can coordinate with your primary veterinarian to ensure the best outcomes for your pet, and your plan may include a combination of Western and Eastern therapies.

Let us help your pet move more freely and live pain-free. Reach out today to learn more about how prolozone therapy can fit into your pet’s overall wellness plan. To request an appointment, call us at (775) 853-6900 or use our contact form.