Cold laser therapy is an increasingly popular veterinary treatment that is used to help your dog through the recovery process. Today, our Enterprise vets discuss the benefits that cold laser therapy can have for dogs and why you should consider it.
What is cold laser therapy?
Cold laser treatment for dogs uses focused light to increase blood circulation and stimulate the regeneration of cells. It can be used in tandem with other medical treatments to treat soft tissue and tendon injuries, and arthritis, reduce swelling and inflammation, and expedite the healing process.
Dog cold laser therapy is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment, and has proven to be effective without causing any negative side effects. Simply put, Laser treatment is a completely safe treatment option.
Treating Medical Conditions Using Cold Laser Therapy
Cold laser therapy has been used to treat and manage a variety of diseases, injuries, and conditions, including tissue injuries (such as strains and sprains) and arthritis.
Laser treatment can benefit dogs who are recovering from:
- Tendon and ligament injuries
- Traumatic injuries
- Chronic arthritis
- Surgical incisions
- Liver disease
- Decreased organ function
- Minor aches and pains
How Cold Laser Therapy for Dogs Works
This treatment uses a cold laser with short wavelengths to emit light energy into tissue cells that have been damaged. Hitting the injured cells with a laser accelerates their regeneration and promotes a faster healing period for your dog.
What are the benefits of cold laser therapy?
If your dog has suffered an injury or condition that requires a recovery period, consider cold laser therapy as it offers the following benefits:
- Enhance circulation
- Decrease nerve sensitivity
- Quick and easy treatment process
- Reduce pain and swelling
- Expedite the healing process
- No side effects
Does cold laser therapy hurt?
As long as the cold laser treatment is being performed by a trained veterinary professional, your dog shouldn't experience any pain throughout the process. The laser wand moving back and forth over injured tissue often creates a pleasant sensation that dogs typically find soothing.
The only risk associated with this treatment is the laser beam directly hitting the eye. This is because the laser beam is capable of causing permanent damage to both human and canine retinas. To prevent this from happening, all staff in the room, as well as your dog, will wear protective eye gear.
Length of Treatment
The duration of sessions fluctuates depending on the treatment area. A typical laser therapy session will range from 5 - 20 minutes.
Before starting treatment, a comprehensive physical examination will be conducted, along with any necessary X-rays, to ascertain the suitability of cold laser therapy as the optimal treatment 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.