VibraVM FAQ

FAQs -- Frequently Asked Questions

How does the VibraVM or VibraVM Pro work?

The VibraVM acoustic percussor works by vibrating airways so that any mucus lodged in various bronchial tubes will liquefy and break away so that the animal will be able to expel the irritant. Another effect of vibrating the airways is bronchial-dilation occurs, opening the airways. As a result, the animal is better able to breath, giving it more energy, and improving its overall well being.

Please see “Improving Horse Respiration” white paper for more detailed information. While this paper is aimed at horses, lungs are lungs, so the principles can be applied to any other mammal.

The VibraVM is not an inhaler. It is fast, easy and drug free.

What conditions will the VibraVM treat?

The VibraVM will treat many respiratory conditions and disease symptoms.

• Heaves or RAO, also commonly known as COPD
• Asthma
• Emphysema
• Influenza
• Sinusitis and Guttural pouch congestion
• Barn Cough
• Pneumonia
• Post Bleed Therapy

The VibraVM will also help calm the animal and appears to increase focus and concentration in performance horses.

What respiratory condition(s) is VibraVM treatment not appropriate for?

• Strangles.

While the VibraVM will help clear out the pus discharge from the nostrils, at this time it does not appear to help the underlying issue of the swollen and infected lymph glands.

What animals will the VibraVM treat?

The VibraVM will treat any mammal; it is just a matter of delivering the sound to the respiratory system. The size and shape of the airways and lungs may differ, but the basic blood oxygen exchange physiology is the same. And lung conditions and diseases are similar as well.

The VibraVM has three primary delivery systems: nose piece, nose mask and nose mask with small animal cover.

• Nose piece or nose mask – Used for horses, foals and all sizes from miniatures to draft horses, cows, goats, or sheep, and larger dogs.
• Nose mask with the small animal cover – Used over the nose mask for smaller dogs (under 20 or so lbs.), and cats.

We have designed packages for both large and small animals.

One veterinarian successfully treated a puppy by placing the VibraVM with a nose piece attachment close to his nose under the blanket where the little guy had burrowed.

What are the other considerations when giving a treatment?

Be sure you have control of your animal. Cats should be papoosed for example. Horses should be haltered. Cross ties can be used if the horse is used to them.

Do not give more that two treatments per day. This is different that our first recommendations of three times per day. We found that the animal needs more time to clear out the loosened mucus and more time to heal.

How do the VibraVM treatments vary according to type of animal?

The general principal is that the smaller the lungs or lung structures the higher the frequencies.

So in general for larger animals the standard VibraVM’s Low and High mode are quite suitable. The Low mode will first clear the larger airways, and then the High mode will work down into the small lung areas. The standard model has been used successfully on quarter horse foals with foal pneumonia.

For smaller dogs or for cats, the VibraVM Pro is more advisable, as it generates higher frequencies.

Can I use my VibraVM on multiple horses or other animals?

You can use one device for multiple horses or other animals. The nose pieces or nose masks, along with the diaphragm and small animal cover, can be washed and cleaned with clorox bleach and water (1:3) mixture, or any other good antiseptic. We have started using Clorhexidine as it is easier to work with that bleach. You should use a new bio-bag (zip lock type bag) with each use, folding it back over the device to protect it from contamination.

We suggest that you use one nose piece per animal, to reduce any chance of cross contamination. You can write on them with a permanent marker.

Use a great deal of care if you are treating any highly contagious conditions, taking all necessary sanitary precautions.

Will the VibraVM treat emphysema?

Yes, the very first horse we tried the VibraVM on had emphysema and some wheezing from RAO/COPD. Due to the emphysema, there were no breath sounds at all in the lowest lobe of the lungs right behind the elbow, where the cinch would go. We did give this mare two 7 minute Low mode treatments about an hour and a half or so apart. The wheezing had cleared up considerably and there were breath sounds in that lowest lobe. Our veterinarian advisor, Dr. Roger Chase, had marked 6 spots around the edge of the lungs, so we took our before and after recordings with an electronic stethoscope at the same spots. In our brochure you will find the analysis of those sounds, which were from a spot in the middle of those we marked.

Do you have a veterinarian I can talk to about my animal’s condition and how the VibraVM could help?

Yes, Dr. Roger Chase, DVM is available to talk to you or your veterinarian. He has much more experience with large animals, especially horses, but has also treated his dogs with the VibraVM. We have other veterinarians willing to be references also.

Can the VibraVM be used for people?

We are currently marketing for animal use only. We are working on getting FDA approval on the human side. Due to FDA regulations and the need for efficacy testing, we cannot make any claims for human use at this time.

Do I need a prescription or Rx?

No, you don't need a prescription to purchase a VibraVM, as it is not an invasive device and uses no drugs whatsoever.

My animal has borderline RAO/COPD or only recently experienced the onset of RAO/COPD. Should I consider the VibraVM for my animal?

From what we know talking to veterinarians and horse owners, is that once RAO/COPD starts it almost always progresses to a more severe and chronic condition.

Using the VibraVM now will help keep your horse off of steroids. Steroids are sometimes needed, but can cause tissue damage of their own and suppress the immune system.

Will I be able to treat my horse?

Yes, anyone can use the VibraVM effectively with their horse. Since March 2008, we started delivering the nose mask and many owners find it easier to acclimate the horse with this attachment rather than the nose piece. Although some owners prefer the nose piece.

It just takes gentle persistence to get the horse to accept it the first few times. You would acclimate to the VibraVM as you would for clippers. We are always available to walk you through any problem you might encounter.

What does the VibraVM cost? What is the pricing if I need additional supplies?

The VibraVM costs $1500.00 (within U.S.)

The VibraVM Pro is $1900.00 (within U.S.)

We offer a 60 day money back guarantee.

This includes:

VibraVM or VibraVM Pro acoustic percussor device

Large animal package (standard):

• 2 nose masks
• 2 nose pieces
• Each of the above come with diaphragm and “bio-bag”

• 4 spare diaphragms

Small animal package (standard):

• 2 nose masks with small animal covers
• 1 nose piece
• Each of the above come with diaphragm and “bio-bag”

• 2 spare small animal covers
• 2 spare diaphragms

Other accessories:

• wall charger
• car charger
• carrying case
• the manual and DVD
• The VibraVM Pro comes with its own operational insert for the manual.

Additional supplies:

Nose pieces or nose masks - 4for $40.00

Includes one diaphragm and bio-bag (zip lock type bag) each.

Diaphragms - 4 for $12.00

Small animal covers - 2 for $10.00

What are the results of treating RAO/COPD/heaves with the VibraVM?

We are seeing excellent results on all stages of RAO/COPD/heaves or sometime called asthma.

Keep in mind that RAO/COPD is a chronic condition and your animal will require treatments for the rest of the life. It takes a month or so to clear out the existing congestion, depending on the general overall condition of the horse, the length and severity of its RAO/COPD. Once the lungs have cleared, you will go on to a maintenance schedule which generally is two treatments a week in warmer weather, and once a week when it is colder.

Owners report being able to ride their horses again, with the horses gaining weight and being lively again too.

My vet says my cat is allergic to cigarette smoke and has RAO/COPD. How do I treat my cat?

You would first treat with the VibraVM once or twice a day for a week, starting on Low or Mid mod plus Massage mode, then move to a higher frequency and treat once or twice a day for another week. Then you should be able to start spacing out the treatments to every other day.

As long as the cat is exposed to the cigarette smoke which is an allergen, it will get the mucus response, thickening and constriction of the airways. This means you will need to continue to treat the cat, probably at least twice a week with the VibraVM to continue to keep its lungs as clear as possible.

Please see the User Protocols paper for more details.

Tell us about your first customer.

Katie, a young lady in Nebraska, has a horse which could not even go twice around the arena before it was coughing, i.e., showing exercise intolerance. So this was fairly severe RAO/COPD. She started using the VibraVM in the summer of 2006. For the first month she gave her horse the 7 minute treatments three times a day. The next month for two times a day, and the third month once a day. She said over the winter she was giving her horse a treatment once per week and then this last spring and summer she went back to once a

day again. I'm not exactly sure of the time frame, but I believe it was after the second month of treatment she could ride her horse all day without any coughing.

With more experience with many, many more horses, we have found it is best to only do two treatments a day, so the animal will have time to expel the loosened mucus and have time to heal.

How will hot and humid conditions affect my horse?

We recommend monitoring your horse closely, with once per day or once every 2-3 days usage during the hot weather.

We have seen especially in hotter areas particularly in the SE part of the states, horses can relapse even with the use of the device. If they do relapse then definitely use the device at least once a day or more, and use medications as needed. Our veterinarian, Dr. Roger Chase, tho' based in western Nebraska, has gained experience with such cases so please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Will the VibraVM help bleeders?

This question generally refers to thoroughbred racing horses whose small capillaries bleed due to elevated blood pressure and the answer is yes.

We call this “post bleed therapy.” A race track veterinarian uses the VibraVM on bleeders and defined a protocol for helping these horses.

Wait 3 to 5 days after a race to treat a bleeder, then give a VibraVM Low mode treatment once a day. You will probably see dark colored discharge. This is clearing out the small scabs and clots formed in the lungs from the bleeding and the mucus produced by the lungs in response to the bleeding. Using the VibraVM will clear these out and help the lungs to heal.

The race track veterinarian thinks this is also helping keep the horse free from infections.

Does the VibraVM help performance or sport horses, with no apparent lung problems? Will it make my race horse run faster?

Yes, a race track veterinarian is treating all the horses under his care. The horses are treated every 3 days during the racing season to keep the lungs clear. This is done up until the night before a race. No Low or High mode treatments should be given the day of the race as the horse will be too relaxed to perform well. The morning of the race, the horse is given two minutes of Massage mode treatment only, which opens up the airways.

We cannot guarantee that it will make your race horse run faster as blood oxygenation is only one factor in a horse’s speed performance. It will however give your horse the maximum oxygen available by clearing the lungs and opening the airways. This in turn gives the horses muscles the maximum muscle oxygenation, so the horse will be running at his maximum capacity with respect to oxygen effeciency.

How can I get more information?

Please see our White Papers section. We continually update these documents as new information or research becomes available. We started in the equine market, but generally all the information for horses applies to other animals. The size and shape of the lungs may differ, but the basic blood oxygen exchange is the same. And lung conditions and diseases are similar as well.

I know coffee was used at one time for helping with asthma. Does it work?

We would suggest you ask your veterinarian about using caffeine for your animal’s symptoms. Having said that we have found some references to using caffeine because of its abilities for relaxing the bronchial muscles.

Green tea contain tannins, caffeine and theophylline. Theophylline is a bronchodilator drug. It has less caffeine that coffee, so it may be a better choice.

How long and how often do I have to treat my animal?

You should not treat your animal more than twice a day, unless advised to do so by your veterinarian or by one of our staff. Please see the User Protocol for your specific type of animal.

For acute conditions, such as pneumonia, around 10 days of treatments will clear up the congestion.

For chronic conditions, such as heaves in horses, RAO, COPD, or asthma, generally it will take about a month of regular daily treatments before you can go to a maintenance schedule of once or twice a week. You start with two treatments a day if possible and as the time goes along you will use a higher frequency mode, and then begin to space out the treatments more and more. For each treatment choose the appropriate automatic seven minute treatment, such as Low or High mode, followed by one to two minutes of Massage mode. If you are short on time, a couple of minutes on Massage mode is always a good idea.

How does the VibraVM produce a calming effect?

As the VibraVM relieves congestion in the lungs, oxygen delivery to the red blood cells is elevated thus more oxygen is delivered to the tissues. With elevated oxygen levels in the cell, the cell releases endorphins to the system affecting the brain.

In humans, endorphins are thought to be connected to physiological processes including euphoric feelings and have a positive effect on how we feel both mentally and physically. Thinking becomes clearer and the mind is more receptive to positive thoughts at this time.

There is a difference in the way hot blood horses or high strung animals will respond as compared to cold bloods or more docile animals. In these animals you may not see the lethargic response, only a lower heart rate.

In other horses or other animals, endorphins appear to cause relaxation, calmness, lethergy, and even sleep. In the case of performance horses, the horse will have more focus and concentration, and less freshness meaning lungeing times can be significantly reduced. These effects generally last 12 – 36 hours.

This information is from our staff veterinarian, Dr. Roger Chase, DVM. In the future we will conduct research to better understand and confirm Dr. Chase’s valued opinions.

My cutting horse trainer treats all his young horses one hour before showing them. He says it clams them and they show better. What is the VibraVM doing to make my horse better?

First, please see the answer to “How does the VibraVM produce a calming effect?” Second, the VibraVM is not a short cut in training. The trainer works with the VibraVM as a conditioning aid, using the calming effect rather than so much lungeing or loping.

Pneumonia questions:

My animal has pneumonia. How can the VibraVM help?

Will the VibraVM work on foal pneumonia?

My veterinarian says my calves were hurt this winter because of cold and blizzard in Colorado. We lost half of our calves. Would the VibraVM have helped them with the pneumonia they had?

Yes, the VibraVM will help clear pneumonia. The VibraVM works well on both acute and chronic conditions, by loosening mucus using sound waves. Pneumonia is an acute condition, characterized by inflammation and fluid or phlegm in the smallest structures of the lungs, the alveoli. It is termed a lower respiratory tract disease.

We have seen excellent results time and time again with pneumonia in a number of animals including young dairy heifers, horses, goats, dogs, and cats.

A veterinarian used the VibraVM successfully on five or six foals with pneumonia this spring (2008).

To treat pneumonia, for large animals and small animals over 20 or so lbs. start with a Low mode plus Massage treatments in the morning, with a High mode treatment in the evening. Do this for a day or two, then use only High plus Massage mode once or twice a day. If the animal is less that 20 or so lbs., then start with High mode plus Massage.

The High mode will produce the frequencies needed to vibrate and liquefy the phlegm in the smaller lung structures, but for the larger animals you want to start with the Low mode to ensure the upper airways are clear first. A minute or two of Massage mode should follow either Low or High mode to help reduce the inflammation as it massages the lung tissues.

We promote the idea for veterinarians to rent out the VibraVM unit to their patients, with acute conditions, as they will generally clear in 10 days or less.

I’m a roper. Can I use my horse right after treating him for barn cough? How about for pleasure riding?

You will want to plan ahead to give the last Low or High mode plus a couple minutes of Massage treatment at least 12 hours before any roping competition, i.e., the night before the event. The morning of the event, give the horse two minutes of Massage mode only.

If you treat with Low or High close to the event, the horse will be too relaxed to perform well.

If you are a pleasure rider though, you can ride your horse immediately after giving a treatment. Some owners or trainers like giving a treatment right before riding as it takes away all the freshness and the horse is ready to get to work. Again this would be only for pleasure riding or training, but not for racing or performance events.

What do RAO, COPD, IAD, SPAOD and heaves mean?

RAO – Recurrent Airway Obstruction

COPD – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

IAD - Inflammatory Airway Disease

SPAOD - Summer Pasture-Associated Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Heaves – also known as RAO, is the syndrome of severe, intermittent, environmentally induced airway obstruction of older horses. Difficulty in breathing out causes the horse's flanks to heave, usually creating a heave line.

COPD is the commonly term used for heaves, but according to an article on www.thehorse.com:

“At a workshop in 2000, an international group of veterinary investigators eliminated the term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to technically describethe equinerespiratory ailment commonly known as "heaves." They elected to instead refer to it as recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) to indicate that this respiratory condition is not the same as COPD in humans.

RAO is defined as episodes of obstructive lower airway disease triggered by exposure to hay and bedding and characterized by difficulty breathing, severe airway inflammation, a large number of neutrophils, airway hyperreactivity, and reversibility with bronchodilator treatment. Owners recognize the condition from these signs: Cough; Labored breathing; Flared nostrils at rest; Nasal discharge; Coughing up mucus; Depression; Elevated respiratory rate at rest; Exercise intolerance or poor performance; Increased movement of abdomen during breathing.

Veterinarians diagnose RAO through history, physical examination, and bloodwork.They usespecific respiratory system tests if necessary (endoscopy, chest radiographs, bronchoalveolar lavage, and pulmonary function testing).”?

According to an AAEP (American Association of Equine Professionals) article, because the term COPD was being used to describe a collection of syndromes, it has been replaced with two terms. Heaves or RAO, and IAD.?

IAD (inflammatory airway disease) is the airway mucus accumulation and inflammation that occurs in young racehorses.

We strive to use RAO/COPD in our literature. Any use of COPD by itself should be taken to mean RAO.

References:

1. “Recurrent Airway Obstruction: They Don't Call It 'Heaves' Anymore”, by: Lydia Gray, DVM, MA, September 26 2007, Article # 10488, http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=10488

2. Respiratory System Priorities for Research, Sponsored by the AAEP Foundation, Inc.,

July, 2005

Participants: D. Ainsworth (Cornell U.), D. Antzak (Cornell U.), L. Couetil (Purdue U.), S. Giguerre (U. of Florida), K. Osterreider (Cornell U.), NE Robinson (Chair, Michigan State U.), L. Viel (U. of Guelph). Consultant: F. Derksen (Michigan State U.) http://www.aaep.org/images/files/AAAEPF Respiratory System Priorities Conclusions.pdf