Therapeutic Laser

December 14, 2016

New Therapy Available at Grand Avenue Veterinary Center

Therapeutic Laser 

We have invested in new technology at our practice to improve the health of your pets.  We are now providing laser therapy as a means of relieving pain, reducing inflammation, and accelerating healing in both dogs and cats.

How does laser therapy work? 

It uses photo-bio-stimulation to improve circulation to a targeted area.  With the improved circulation, changes are made at a cellular level to reduce inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and pain.  Additionally, oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the designated area to speed up the rate of healing, improve tissue viability, reduce scar formation, and prevent infection.

What will my pet feel during the procedure?

Laser therapy is deep and soothing, is well tolerated by both dogs and cats, can be performed without sedation, and can be a drug-free alternative to manage pain.  For safety purposes the technician operating the laser and our client(s) will need to wear protective eyewear to avoid damage to the eyes from the light radiation.  If tolerated, “doggles” would also be worn by the dog or cat receiving the treatment.

What is therapeutic laser used for?

Common uses for therapeutic laser are arthritis, acute soft tissue injuries, wounds, infections, and post-operative incisions.

How long is a treatment?

It depends if the patient needs just one area or multiple areas treated. In general, a single area of the body can be treated in a matter of minutes.

How many treatments will my dog or cat need?

It depends on what the laser is being used for.  In some cases, such as an acute injury or after surgery, only one treatment is needed.  In other cases, such as for patients with chronic pain, they may need more frequent treatments to manage their discomfort.

When should therapeutic laser not be used?

Because of the laser’s ability to make changes at the cellular level, it is not to be used as a treatment for cancer since by definition cancer is the uncontrolled division of abnormal cells.

Are there any side effects of this type of therapy?

There are no known side effects.

Please contact us with any questions and to schedule an appointment for your companion.

Contributed by Dr. Jen Seidl