Benefits of Cold Laser Therapy for Dogs

Is your dog suffering from pain? Cold laser therapy may be an ideal non-invasive treatment option. In this post, our Staten Island vets explain which conditions can benefit from this treatment, and how to determine if this therapy is appropriate for your dog.

What is cold laser treatment for dogs?

Cold laser therapy is a safe, non-invasive, drug-free treatment option for dogs that can help alleviate pain, stimulate and enhance cell regeneration and blood circulation, and improve healing.

Cold lasers are also known as low-power lasers, soft lasers, and low-level lasers. Because cold laser therapy only treats the skin's surface, it is often a safer option than surgical or hot laser treatments that penetrate deeper into tissue. 

This type of therapy is cleared by the Food & Drug Administration for therapeutic use. It is often used in conjunction with conventional medicinal approaches to treating pain and disease.

What happens during a treatment session?

Cold laser therapy treatment sessions are typically held in a large, comfortable room and can last anywhere from five to thirty minutes, depending on the condition being treated, the size of your dog, specific needs and circumstances, and other factors. Your dog will be placed on a mat to help encourage relaxation. Both the laser operator and your dog must wear protective eyewear. 

During these treatment sessions, your veterinarian will wave a low-intensity laser or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) over your dog's body to stimulate the tissue for therapeutic purposes. Your dog will receive a relaxing, concentrated, light-pulsing treatment that can help with any of the health issues listed below. The cells in your dog's tissue absorb the light from the laser, and repair and regenerate themselves. 

During the session, your dog's brain also releases endorphins, which makes them feel better. In fact, many dogs even fall asleep during their treatment sessions, as they are able to relax and not suffer from pain. 

The laser's wavelength controls how deep it penetrates into the tissue, so it's important that your veterinarian is trained in this type of therapy and on how to choose the correct wavelength to reach the tissue that should be targeted. This light-tissue interaction is called photobiomodulation. 

No specific after-care is needed following a session. 

Which dogs can benefit from cold laser therapy?

Some dogs are unable to undergo traditional treatment methods and will benefit from cold laser therapy. These can include:

• dogs who suffer from liver disease and can't take certain medications
• Older dogs that are unable to take medication due to decreased organ function 
• Cats that are only able to have specific pain management medications
• Exotic dogs that may not be able to take medications in the way they are normally administered

Conditions That Can Benefit From Cold Laser Therapy

Veterinary cold laser therapy treatment has been used to treat a variety of conditions in dogs, including: 

How does cold laser therapy help dogs with pain?

Heavy panting, loss of appetite, trembling, aggression, and/or excessive grooming can all be signs that your dog is in pain. Aside from limiting your dog's mobility and quality of life, pain can impair their appetite, disrupt normal behavior, and make them feel uncomfortable and distressed most of the time.

Needless to say, you'd probably like to ensure your dog is able to live as pain-free as possible, whether they are healing from surgery, recovering from an acute injury, or suffering from a chronic health condition. 

In general, cold lasers are an effective way to alleviate pain in dogs. Cold laser therapy helps heal damaged nerves. It increases blood flow and oxygenation to injured tissues, encourages muscles to relax, and reduces the presence of bacteria, all of which can contribute to a reduction in pain.

Veterinary Cold Laser Therapy Treatment for Dogs at Aadobe Animal Hospital

Veterinary cold laser therapy is a fairly new method of treatment for symptoms related to various disorders and is most commonly used to help manage pain, inflammation, and wound healing for your dog.

There is no need for sedation prior to treatment, and your vet will not need to pierce or shave any part of your dog's body before treatment sessions. However, it is critical to note that cold lasers are not a panacea. They are unable to reduce or eliminate tissue growth caused by conditions such as ear canal mineralization, bone spurs, or arthritis deformities. Cold laser therapy is not recommended for cancer patients because it has the potential to worsen or spread the disease. After their session, your dog should be able to resume normal activities. 

Speak to your Staten Island vet if you would like to learn more about how your dog may benefit from veterinary laser therapy.

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.