Free Newsletter Laser Therapy

Photobiomodulation, or laser therapy, works by using red and near infra-red light to induce reactions in the body on a molecular and cellular level. The light source/laser is placed near, or in contact with the skin. The light energy then penetrates the skin and interacts with the body’s tissues. Within the damaged tissues, these carefully selected wavelengths of light begin to interact with the cell’s mitochondria (energy factories of the cell). These interactions lead to increased energy production by making ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Additionally, the light waves produce free nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species which help increase blood flow and stimulate tissue regeneration. All of these targeted effects result in:
  • Less inflammation
  • Less pain
  • Less swelling
  • More oxygen and nutrients for the damaged tissues
  • Increased ATP or energy for the tissues
  • Increased tissue regeneration
  • Increased blood flow to the affected areas of the body
 How does it work?

Laser therapy has a wide number of indications, designed to enhance the wellbeing of your pet. From managing pain, to accelerated healing or even increasing mobility, laser therapy can make a big difference in quality of life for our four-legged family members.

Laser therapy can be used alone, or in conjunction with other treatments like medications, supplements, physical therapy or acupuncture. There are quite a few controlled studies and peer reviewed publications to support the use of laser therapy, and it is used most commonly in diseases which have an inflammatory component. As long as the appropriate wavelengths can reach the affected tissue, there is potential benefit in using laser treatments for these diseases. Because it also promotes healing, it is often used in conjunction with surgeries or for wound healing after an injury.
What can it be used for?

Laser therapy has a wide number of indications, designed to enhance the wellbeing of your pet. From managing pain, to accelerated healing or even increasing mobility, laser therapy can make a big difference in quality of life for our four-legged family members.

Laser therapy can be used alone, or in conjunction with other treatments like medications, supplements, physical therapy or acupuncture. There are quite a few controlled studies and peer reviewed publications to support the use of laser therapy, and it is used most commonly in diseases which have an inflammatory component. As long as the appropriate wavelengths can reach the affected tissue, there is potential benefit in using laser treatments for these diseases. Because it also promotes healing, it is often used in conjunction with surgeries or for wound healing after an injury. What can it be used for?

Here is a list of common disease processes that may be treated with laser therapy:
  • Osteoarthritis/Joint disease
  • Wound, laceration or abscess from trauma
  • Post dental to help heal extraction sites or gingivitis
  • Post spays, neuters, mass removals or other surgeries to help with incision healing
  • Pancreatitis
  • Otitis externa (ear infections)
  • Skin disease such as acral lick granulomas or hot spots
  • Anal gland abscesses or anal sacculitis (anal gland inflammation)
  • Degenerative myelopathy (canine ALS) or other neuropathies
  • Neck or Back pain/Intravertebral Disc Disease
  • Lung disease (inflammatory processes)
  • Cystitis (bladder inflammation) or bladder infections
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Stomatitis
 How does it work?

Depending on what disease process we are trying to treat, laser therapy may be used as little as a single time and for as short as a few minutes. For example, a single laser treatment performed immediately after a procedure like a spay, neuter or mass removal can reduce inflammation and dramatically shorten healing time. Similarly, we may recommend a single laser treatment at the onset an ear infection to help improve response to other therapies like our topical antibiotics.

However, for more chronic disease processes like arthritis, degenerative myelopathy or chronic skin wounds like acral lick granulomas, multiple treatments may be recommended until the disease process resolves or (in the case of arthritis) to simply maintain long-term comfort. What can it be used for?

Depending on what disease process we are trying to treat, laser therapy may be used as little as a single time and for as short as a few minutes. For example, a single laser treatment performed immediately after a procedure like a spay, neuter or mass removal can reduce inflammation and dramatically shorten healing time. Similarly, we may recommend a single laser treatment at the onset an ear infection to help improve response to other therapies like our topical antibiotics.

However, for more chronic disease processes like arthritis, degenerative myelopathy or chronic skin wounds like acral lick granulomas, multiple treatments may be recommended until the disease process resolves or (in the case of arthritis) to simply maintain long-term comfort. What can it be used for?

Often these appointments are quite short. They average 10-15 minutes. If a pet is having multiple sites treated (like in the case of severe arthritis) it may take 30 minutes or more. Once the doctor has prescribed the laser therapy and the recommended treatment regimen, one of our technicians, certified in laser therapy, can administer the treatments.

Most treatments can be performed with our four-legged family members resting comfortably on a bed, floor mat, or exam table. In the case of our more stressed feline patients, some of them may not even have to leave their carrier, provided the top opens well.

Clients will sometimes ask if this is a painful process. When done correctly by a technician certified in laser therapy, there should be no pain at all. Initially pets may feel a little warmth from the laser, but most pets actually seem to relax and feel more comfortable once the laser therapy has started.
What does laser therapy look like for my pet?

The answer to this question is emphatically, “yes.” While you may be able to find products offering red light therapy online, most of the devices are not class IV lasers. Lasers are classified by the FDA according to their output power. Class IV therapeutic lasers have a higher output power allowing for penetration to deeper tissues and more effective treatment durations of just a few minutes for a single site compared to an hour or more with lower class lasers. In addition to power differences, choice of light wavelengths, light beam area and mechanism of delivery can all greatly impact how effective the laser therapy is for our four-legged family members. Does the type of laser matter?

The answer to this question is emphatically, “yes.” While you may be able to find products offering red light therapy online, most of the devices are not class IV lasers. Lasers are classified by the FDA according to their output power. Class IV therapeutic lasers have a higher output power allowing for penetration to deeper tissues and more effective treatment durations of just a few minutes for a single site compared to an hour or more with lower class lasers. In addition to power differences, choice of light wavelengths, light beam area and mechanism of delivery can all greatly impact how effective the laser therapy is for our four-legged family members. Does the type of laser matter?