March 28, 2022
Dogs are good at hiding their pain. You need to be observant to notice any changes. When dogs are in pain, they are less active and lose their appetite. Cold laser therapy helps deal with that pain and any present inflammation.
It is a non-invasive procedure that uses high-frequency but low-level light energy. It increases blood circulation and stimulates cell regeneration. It also creates a natural therapeutic effect that allows your dog to recover quickly.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
During the treatment, your dog lies on a padded bed or blanket. You can position yourself by the dog’s head so you can pet it as the treatment continues. The vet uses a probe to direct light energy to the area of pain. The photons pass through the area of focus until they interact with the photosensitive part of the cells. The interaction causes physiological changes that initiate healing.
Specifically, it causes the release of endorphins that reduces inflammation. It also stimulates cell regeneration to help repair old cells and initiate the growth of new ones. It prompts an increase in blood circulation, white blood cells, and nutrients to reach healing areas faster. These effects encourage fast healing and pain relief.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS IT TREATS
Cold laser therapy is a successful treatment for:
Tendon and ligament injuries
Fractures
Osteoarthritis
Muscle injuries and wounds
Sprains and strains
Neurological conditions
BENEFITS OF COLD LASER THERAPY
Laser therapy is safe, convenient, and painless. The treatment is drug-free and non-invasive, allowing pets to relax and be comfortable. These features are why its popularity has been growing steadily for the past 40 years. Canines respond positively to it, and it treats several conditions.
Cold laser therapy helps dogs with:
Traumatic wound healing
Surgical wound healing
Reducing the formation of scar tissue
Regulating their immunity
Improving nerve regeneration and function
Increasing metabolism in specific tissues
Speeding up the dog’s healing of infections
Releasing painful trigger points
HOW MANY SESSIONS?
The frequency of laser therapy will depend on the condition of your dog. Is the problem chronic or acute? It will also depend on the type of laser your vet uses. The duration will also depend on the power density of the laser unit. But sessions can be two or three per week, for two or three weeks.
Each session will last for about a minute for every site receiving treatment. The higher the power of the laser, the shorter the time the vet needs for each treatment site. The sessions can be daily for acute conditions, the vet reducing the number as the dog starts to heal. The vet performs the first treatment before the dog regains consciousness for surgical wounds.
DOES IT WORK?
As research shows, cold laser therapy works for dogs. Vets can use it alongside chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage, and hydrotherapy. Since it is non-invasive and drug-free, the treatment can help dogs with different conditions. It does not interfere with prescription medication or treatment.
Consult your vet before taking your dog for cold laser therapy. They may need to diagnose why your dog is in pain. It is also dangerous to administer the treatment on tumors and other cancerous growths—it can accelerate their growth. It is also not for use on pregnant dogs.
For more information on cold laser therapy for dogs, visit Tampa Bay K-9 Rehabilitation Center at our office in St. Petersburg, Florida. You can also call (727) 521-3518 today to schedule an appointment.
