Cold Laser Therapy for Dogs and Cats

The therapy is known by various other names, including low-level laser therapy, low-power laser therapy, soft-laser therapy, bio-stimulation laser therapy, and therapeutic laser. It has been used on humans as well as dogs and cats. 

What conditions can laser therapy

Laser therapy is used on dogs and cats to treat pain and inflammation and to speed up healing in muscles, tendons, skin, and other soft tissue. It also can reduce the amount of bacteria in affected areas.  Common conditions that laser therapy is used to treat include muscular injuries, tendonitis, post-surgery sites, lesions from excessive licking, open wounds, arthritis, anal sacculitis and ear inflammation. Laser therapy won't cure arthritis, but should help reduce pain and swelling, increase the pet's range of motion, and improve quality of life.

How is the procedure done?

The laser is applied directly to the skin or near the skin if contact with the skin is too painful. The duration and intensity of the laser varies depending on what is being treated and how deep into the tissue the laser needs to go. There is no need for the fur to be clipped or for the pet to be sedated. No Pian is experienced during treatment.

You will most likely need to have the veterinarian give your dog or cat multiple treatments at the beginning and then reduce gradually to once a month for maintenance of arthritis.

 How It Works

o    A laser beam is made of photons, which are absorbed by the cells that are not functioning properly. The photons speed up the reproduction of healthy new cells by increasing the action of ATP (adenosphine triphosphate), a molecule that carries energy in the cells. The increased action in the ATP speeds up cellular function, which allows the cells to take in nutrients faster and get rid of wastes sooner.

o    The laser will dilate both lymphatics and blood vessels to reduce inflammation and help drain away impurities.

If you feel your pet could benefit from Laser Therapy, please call our office and schedule and appointment.