Cold laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment your vet may recommend if your pet has an inflammatory or painful condition or injury. In this article, our New Hope vets discuss how cold laser therapy can benefit your cat or dog and help them heal.
Cold Laser Therapy for Pets
Cold laser therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy or Class IV laser therapy, utilizes concentrated light to enhance blood circulation and promote cellular regeneration.
This treatment approach is non-invasive and doesn't involve the use of drugs. It is commonly employed for managing inflammatory conditions and has also been combined with conventional medical interventions to address issues like soft tissue injuries, tendon problems, and arthritis, and to expedite the healing process of wounds.
How Does Cold Laser Therapy Help Treat Cats & 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 improve our pet patients' outcomes.
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 to properly complete treatment.
Common Issues 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
Is the Process Painful?
When laser therapy is conducted by a skilled and knowledgeable veterinarian, and the procedure is executed accurately, it should not cause any discomfort for your pet.
Based on our observations, gently moving a handheld laser wand over the affected area creates a pleasant sensation that most pets find soothing.
It's important to note that during the treatment, all veterinary staff and patients must wear protective goggles. This precaution is necessary as laser beams directed at the eyes can cause permanent damage to both human and canine retinas.
Frequency of Cold Laser Therapy Sessions
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 Cold Laser Therapy Benefit My Pets?
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.