Cold laser therapy is very beneficial for dogs who are suffering from arthritis or soft tissue injuries. Here are some of the most common questions we receive from pet owners.
Cold laser therapy is a form of soft tissue therapy. It utilizes low level laser light to stimulate cells into regenerating faster. Each cell has an area that can turn light into energy. Additionally, the light also slightly warms the area. This translates into nutrients entering the cell as a faster rate and waste being removed from the cell.
What conditions are treated with cold laser therapy?
Cold laser therapy treats soft tissue injuries, including skin lesions, scrapes, cuts, sprains, and strains. It treats chronic injuries of the ligaments and tendons. It can lower the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, and it can help heal surgical incisions and deep wounds.
Does cold laser therapy help heal nerve damage?
Cold laser therapy has been proven to help heal damaged nerves. Dogs who have received several treatments show an improvement in control of the damaged limb and increased range of motion.
Cold laser therapy helps reduce pain, inflammation and swelling. It reduces fluid retention (edemas) in the tissues. It increases blood flow and oxygenation into injured tissues, and it reduces the presence of bacteria.
Will my pet experience any side effects?
There are no side effects of cold laser therapy. Most pets find the treatment soothing and will lay down to receive the treatment. It is also noninvasive. We do not need to shave your dog before treatment or cut into the skin. Pets can return to their normal activities directly after the treatments.
The exact number of treatments varies. Some dogs with arthritis or other chronic conditions may need several treatments each week to control pain and inflammation. Acute injuries may need between one and six treatments or more. Our veterinarian can give you a treatment plan after your pet's initial evaluation.
Session lengths are variable depending on your animal's injuries. Most sessions last between three and 20 minutes.
Will my pet still need medications to control pain?
If you are using medication to control your pet's pain and inflammation, you should talk to our veterinarian. He can explain the treatments to you and the benefits. He can also help you determine whether or not you need to continue administering certain medications to your pet.
How do I schedule a cold laser therapy sessions for my pet?
To schedule an initial evaluation to see is laser therapy would benefit your pet, call our veterinary office at 954-644-7281.