From Spine to Brain: Laser Therapy in Neurologic Care

New evidence for photobiomodulation

📅Wednesday, October 7th  | ⌚ 10am, 1pm, and 8pm ET | ⏳55 Minutes

Presented by João Alves, DVM, PhD, DECVSMR (Small Animals); EBVS

From spinal cord injuries to cognitive dysfunction to behavior, transcranial laser therapy is evolving traditional perceptions of veterinary photobiomodulation. 

Join Dr. João Alves on Wednesday, October 7, as he shares the results of his newly published study that shows how transcranial PBM significantly improved behavioral traits (including anxiety, impulsivity, and resilience) in a population of 36 working dogs.

You'll see why the potential implications for companion animals, including hospitalized dogs managing clinical stress and aging pets with cognitive dysfunction, are substantial.

This case-driven session will cover the neuroscience behind photobiomodulation, practical protocols for neurological conditions seen regularly in general practice, and what the emerging transcranial research means for how we think about behavior and cognition in dogs.

 

Key Learning Objectives

  • The mechanisms of PBM, especially in neurological tissue

  • Protocols for IVDD, degenerative myelopathy, and facial nerve paralysis

  • Transcranial applications and the science behind them

  • Diagnosis, recognition, and treatment options for cognitive dysfunction

  • What the latest research shows about behavior and welfare 
Joao Alves

João Alves, DVM, PhD, DECVSMR (Small Animals); EBVS

Major, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Portugese Republic National Guard 

Dr. Alves graduated from the Technical University of Lisbon, Portugal, in 2012. He has been working with the Guarda Nacional Republicana (National Republican Guard) ever since, dedicated to sports medicine and rehabilitation of their working dogs population. Shortly after starting his clinical activities, Dr Alves had the chance to undergo the training program for canine handlers of the Guarda National Republicana, where he gained an inside view of that unique animal, the working dog, and its specific needs and requirements. He has also attended several courses and conferences on sports medicine and rehabilitation and completed his PhD program at the University of Évora, focusing on intra-articular treatments for canine hip osteoarthritis.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Alves is a speaker in multiple training courses for canine handlers, instructors, veterinary technicians, and nurses. His research focuses primarily on the clinical aspects of canine sports medicine and rehabilitation, from physical conditioning to lesion prevention and treatment. He has authored several reviewed research papers.