Cold laser therapy allows for the pain-free and non-invasive treatment of your beloved companion. In this post, our San Gabriel vets share some valuable information about cold laser therapy for dogs and how this special veterinary treatment can help them heal.
Veterinary Cold Laser Therapy Treatment For Dogs
Cold laser therapy (also referred to as low-level laser therapy or Class IV laser therapy) uses focused light to increase blood circulation and stimulate the regeneration of cells.
This drug-free, non-invasive treatment is used to treat inflammatory diseases. It has lately been utilized in conjunction with conventional medical therapies to treat soft tissue or tendon injuries, as well as arthritis. It can also help to speed up wound healing.
How does cold laser therapy help treat dogs?
Yes. The veterinary industry has deemed pet laser therapy safe and effective. It can effectively treat diseases, injuries and conditions such as tissue injuries (including strains and sprains) and arthritis.
We often use it to supplement other treatment options to give our pet patients an improved outcome.
Some of the benefits that cold laser therapy can offer are:
- Enhance circulation
- Allowing the muscles to relax
- Decrease nerve sensitivity
- Vasodilation can increase blood flow ultimately increasing oxygen and speeding up the healing
- Reduce pain and swelling
- The release of endorphins
- Speed the healing process
Furthermore, laser therapy has no negative side effects and does not require sedation. You also don't have to be concerned about your pet losing any fur because cold laser therapy does not require fur removal in order to successfully complete treatment.
What are some common concerns that cold laser therapy can help treat?
There are many conditions and symptoms that veterinary laser therapy can help with, including:
- Chronic arthritis
- Surgical incisions
- Tendon and ligament injuries
- Traumatic injuries
You may have a pet that is unable to undergo the traditional method of treatment and therefore may benefit from veterinary cold laser therapy, such as:
- Pets who suffer from liver disease leaving them unable to take commonly used medications
- Cats that are only able to use specific pain management medications
- Exotic pets that may not be able to have medications administered normally
- Older pets that are unable to be medicated due to decreased organ function
Will my dog feel the laser while receiving treatment using veterinary cold lasers?
There should be no pain for your dog if the veterinarian delivering the treatment is well-trained and skilled in giving laser therapy and the procedure is completed correctly.
In fact, in our experience when the vet waves a handheld laser wand back and forth over injured tissue, this seems to produce a pleasant sensation that most pets seem to find soothing or relaxing.
During a session, all veterinary staff and patients must wear protective goggles, as laser beams directed at an eye are capable of causing permanent damage to both human and canine retinas.
Will my dog need more than one session of cold laser therapy?
Over time, the effects of cold laser therapy are cumulative. For best results, treatments should be completed at the frequency recommended by your veterinarian.
How long will veterinary cold laser therapy benefit my dog?
The length of sessions varies depending on the area being treated and how much energy is being delivered through the laser. A typical laser therapy session lasts between 5 and 20 minutes.
Before treatment, we will perform a complete physical exam, in addition to x-rays if required, to determine whether cold laser therapy is the right treatment option for your pet.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.