What is Cold Laser Therapy?
Cold laser therapy for dogs and cats is a treatment using low-intensity laser or LEDs to help alleviate pain, improve the rate of healing and improve and stimulate the function of their cells.
Several conditions, including muscle and joint pain, arthritis symptoms, and muscle spasms, have been shown to improve with the use of laser therapy.
Cold laser therapy is used at our Cumberland Animal Hospital as part of a treatment plan alongside inflammation reduction and pain management.
Because there are no medications involved in these therapeutic treatments, cold laser therapy can be used in conjunction with prescription medications and supplements as part of your pet's overall treatment plan without the risk of drug interactions.
The Cold Laser Therapy Treatment Process
Treatment with cold laser therapy involves moving a handheld laser wand back and forth over an area of your pet's body that is causing them pain or has been injured.
The area being treated will feel pleasant and warm to your pet, and it will likely be relaxing. Our veterinary hospital's cold laser therapy sessions generally last about 20 minutes.
Your pet's laser therapy will be tailored in both its duration and its targeted area to your companion's specific case.
How Cold Laser Therapy Works
Depending on the issue being treated, the technician concentrates light over the affected tissue for periods ranging from 8 to 30 minutes during pet laser therapy.
In a process known as photo biotherapy, laser therapy stimulates cells by emitting light. Phototherapy improves cell strength by promoting cell metabolism and protein synthesis.
Cumberland Animal Hospital uses the Companion Therapy Laser system in our clinic. This type of laser system sends “packets” of light energy into the deep tissue without damaging it.
How Cold Laser Therapy Feels
During veterinary cold laser therapy for cats or dogs, your pet will only feel a slight tingling around the area receiving treatment. After each therapy session, your pet should feel less constrained by their health issue.
It is critical to remember that each pet's treatment plan is unique. While some pets experience relief after three sessions, others require weekly sessions until they improve. Monthly maintenance may also be required.
When choose laser therapy as your pet's treatment method, their veterinarian will speak with you about a regimen that will benefit your companion's condition the most.
Uses for Laser Therapy
Laser treatments for dogs and cats promote cell regeneration and circulation, making it beneficial for the following conditions and procedures:
- Wounds
- Bone Fractures
- Strains & Sprains
- Degenerative Joint Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Inflammation
- Osteoarthritis
- Lick Granuloma
- Dental Procedures
- Post-Surgical Recovery
Pain Management With Veterinary Laser Therapy
One of the primary goals of providing non-invasive treatments like cold laser therapy to your dog or cat is to help minimize and alleviate your companion's pain and discomfort.
In fact, cold laser therapy's soothing effects can help to manage pain.
Our pets are driven by instinct to hide when they are in pain, so unfortunately sometimes it can be difficult to know what kind of discomfort our beloved dogs and cats are feeling.
If you are wondering whether or not you should bring your pet in for cold laser therapy to help treat their pain, look for changes in their behavior: limping, a loss of appetite, whining when they stand up or lie down, or being particularly sensitive in certain areas of their body.