Laser Therapy

Lazorz, pew pew

Laser therapy speeds healing, so veterinarians routinely treat injuries with the laser; they also treat patients immediately after surgery so that incisions heal more quickly. Studies indicate that laser-treated wounds heal in one third to one half times faster than the time required in normal healing. A single laser treatment is usually all that is required for post-surgical patients to reduce swelling and to speed healing. Skin wounds, abrasions, bite injuries, dermatitis, and burns all respond well to laser therapy. Acute conditions may require more than a single treatment, but also respond well to laser therapy. Because laser therapy can be administered without touching the painful area, veterinarians are able to provide immediate pain relief and edema control to very sensitive tissues. Laser therapy also reduces inflammation by increasing vasodilation, activating the lymphatic drainage system, and reducing pro-inflammatory mediators. As a result, inflammation, erythema, bruising, and edema are all reduced when treated with laser. This is especially important for conditions where anti-inflammatory medications are risky for the patient because of the patient’s age, liver health, or species. Laser therapy is a drug-free treatment modality that can often replace or enhance other treatment plans recommended by your veterinarian.

A benefit of the more modern, higher-powered therapeutic lasers, like the Companion Therapy Laser, is that adequate dosages of laser energy, or photons, can be painlessly and efficiently delivered to deeper tissues. This is a huge benefit in treating chronic conditions such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, back disease or injury, and degenerative joint diseases. Geriatric patients often suffer from one or more of these painful problems, as well the aches and pains that come naturally with aging. There are thousands of reports of pets who were lame and inactive and who returned to normal, or almost normal function after laser therapy. More chronic and more severe cases may require multiple treatment sessions to fully benefit.