In this post, our South Lebanon vets share valuable information about how cold laser therapy for dogs can help them heal. Cold laser therapy enables pain-free and non-invasive treatment for your beloved companion.
Veterinary Cold Laser Therapy For Dogs
Cold laser therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy or Class IV laser therapy, employs focused light to enhance blood circulation and stimulate cell regeneration.
Practitioners utilize this non-invasive, drug-free treatment for managing inflammatory conditions. It complements traditional medical interventions for addressing soft tissue or tendon injuries and arthritis and facilitates wound healing.
How does cold laser treatment help dogs?
Certainly! The veterinary industry considers pet laser therapy safe and effective for treating diseases, injuries, and conditions such as tissue injuries (strains and sprains) and arthritis.
We often integrate it as a complement to other treatment options, improving the overall outcome for our beloved animal patients.
Cold laser therapy provides several benefits:
- 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 has no 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 complete treatment properly.
What are some common conditions 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 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?
If the veterinarian is well-trained and experienced in administering laser therapy and executes the treatment correctly, your dog should not feel any pain.
In our experience, when the vet gently moves a handheld laser wand over injured tissue, it creates a pleasant sensation that most pets find soothing and relaxing.
During a session, all veterinary staff and patients must wear protective goggles. Directing laser beams at an eye can permanently damage 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 over time. 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 duration of sessions varies depending on the treated area and the energy delivered through the laser. Typically, a laser therapy session lasts between 5 and 20 minutes.
Before treatment, we will conduct a comprehensive physical exam and necessary X-rays to assess whether cold laser therapy is suitable 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.