Integrative therapies, in addition to traditional medicine, can enhance pain relief and accelerate healing. In this post, our Marina del Rey vets talk about cold laser therapy for dogs, explaining what it entails, its primary advantages, and other valuable information regarding its application in treatment.
What is cold laser therapy for dogs?
Cold laser therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy or Class IV laser therapy, enhances blood flow and promotes cell regeneration.
This non-invasive and drug-free treatment effectively addresses inflammatory conditions and complements traditional medical treatments for soft tissue or tendon injuries, arthritis, and wound healing.
What are the benefits of cold laser treatments for 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 (strains and sprains) and arthritis.
Veterinarians use cold laser therapy alongside their standard care as a complementary dog treatment.
Cold laser therapy provides several benefits, including:
- 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
In addition, laser therapy does not have any adverse side effects, and no sedation is required. You also don't need to worry about your pet missing any fur, as cold laser therapy doesn't require fur removal to complete treatment properly.
What conditions can cold laser therapy treat in dogs?
Some of the conditions that a vet may use cold laser therapy for are:
- 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 are 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
Is cold laser therapy painful for dogs?
As long as the veterinarian conducting the treatment is highly skilled and experienced in administering laser therapy and performs the procedure correctly, your dog should not experience any pain.
In our experience, when the vet uses a handheld laser wand to move over the injured tissue gently, it creates a comforting sensation that most pets find soothing and relaxing.
All veterinary staff and patients must wear protective goggles throughout a session. This precaution is necessary because laser beams aimed at the eye can potentially cause 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.
Is cold laser treatment a long-term option for dogs?
The duration of sessions varies based on the treated area and the laser energy delivered. A typical laser therapy session lasts from 5 to 20 minutes.
Before commencing treatment, we will conduct a comprehensive physical examination, including necessary X-rays, to assess if cold laser therapy suits 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.