When I hear therapeutic laser, I tend to think of the thing that Dr. McCoy had on Star Trek that told him what was wrong and magically repaired it. While we’re not quite there yet in veterinary medicine, the therapeutic laser is becoming a pillar of care in musculoskeletal injuries.
Is Therapeutic Laser a scary red beam pointed at my pet?
Nope. Therapeutic Laser is a form of light, but the “red beam” that we think of for slide presentations and playing with the cat is a weak form of laser in the visible spectrum. Therapeutic laser is a much higher wavelength making it not visible to the naked eye, but more powerful for realigning disease processes in the body. When a laser is aimed at a tissue at the proper wavelength, power and time, a whole biochemical laboratory opens up underneath the skin: blood flow is improved, inflammation is reduced, antioxidants are activated, nerve messages are stimulated, nerve growth is accelerated, and pain is reduced. Each new study seems to show a new benefit of laser.
What does Veterinary Therapeutic Laser Therapy treat?
We are still discovering new things the laser can help to treat. Some of the main uses in veterinary medicine are:
- Arthritic joints
- Non-healing wounds
- Surgical scars and other scar tissue
- Reduce post-operative swelling or pet rehabilitation
- Faster neurological healing (post disk surgery, nerve damage)
- Nerve and muscle pain
- Non healing fractures
Therapeutic Laser Therapy can also be used as an acupuncture tool where the acupuncture point is lasered rather than treated with a needle. Learn more about acupuncture for dogs here.
What should NOT be treated by Therapeutic Laser:
- Tumors
- Areas of active bleeding
- Pregnant pets
Things to know about Therapeutic Laser Therapy for Pets:
- Anything between the laser and the skin will cause LESS effect, therefore the area of treatment will be affected the best if it is shaved first. (Most laser companies will claim to get the same effect if with and without shaving. Not true. Not all dogs have to be shaved, but the decreased effect MUST be considered in the therapy protocol).
- A lower lever laser (called LLLTs) have the same effect as higher level lasers (HLLT); the treatment time is longer with LLLTs.
- Many lasers are programmable so that anyone can “set it and forget it” and treat the patient. All laser operators should be properly trained in the use of the laser and the calculation of the dosage so that proper accommodations can be made specific to the patient.
- Eye protection should be worn when the laser is in use. (Dog owners LOVE to take pictures of the dogs in their “doggles.”)
A word about Therapeutic Laser Therapy for cats:
Laser is a peaceful therapeutic modality for our feline friends who may not be a fan of acupuncture needles or walking in water. Most cats, when handled with peace and kindness, like laser therapy and tolerate it well. Cats can be treated for arthritic conditions, wounds AND laser acupuncture which “takes the poke out of puncture.” Learn more about acupuncture for cats here.
About Healing Arts Animal Care
Healing Arts Animal Care in Beaverton, Oregon provides veterinary acupuncture, pet rehabilitation therapy, physical therapy and athletic conditioning and Animal Massage Therapy for the dogs and cats of the Portland, Oregon Metro Area including Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, and Tualatin. We strive to create a team among you, your pet, your veterinarian and ourselves to create a whole package of care for your pet including wheelchairs for dogs. Pets come through our door knowing that we’re going to have fun here and this isn’t “another trip to the vet.” Through manual therapies, acupuncture, laser, ultrasound, underwater treadmill and creating a tailored individual home exercises, we strive to bring your injured pet back to speed, keep your elderly pet as an active member of the family, return your obese pet back to a functional friend and keep your athletic pet at the peak of his performance.
