Cold laser therapy is a non-invasive way to treat your beloved companion's pain and wounds. In this post, our Marina del Rey 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 For Dogs
Also referred to as low-level laser therapy or Class IV laser therapy, cold laser therapy uses focused light to increase blood circulation and stimulate the regeneration of cells.
This non-invasive, drug-free treatment is used to treat inflammatory conditions. More recently, it has been used in conjunction with traditional medical treatments to treat soft tissue or tendon injuries and arthritis. It can also be used to encourage wound healing.
How does cold laser therapy help treat dogs?
The veterinary industry has deemed pet laser therapy both safe and effective. It can also be used to treat diseases, injuries, and conditions such as tissue injuries (including strains and sprains) and arthritis.
We often use cold laser therapy 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
In addition, laser therapy does not have any negative 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 the removal of fur in order to properly complete treatment.
What are some common conditions that cold laser therapy can help treat?
There are many conditions and symptoms that cold laser therapy treatment for dogs 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 and 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
Will my dog feel the laser while receiving treatment using veterinary cold lasers?
Provided the veterinarian performing the treatment is well-trained and experienced in administering laser therapy and the treatment is performed correctly, there should be no pain involved for your dog.
In fact, it is our experience that 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?
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 five 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.