Laser Therapy

Therapeutic Laser Therapy

Lasers are not just for sci-fi movies or playing high-tech tag anymore. Laser therapy is an innovative, non-invasive treatment that can speed up the body's natural healing process and relieve pain. “Laser” is an acronym for "light amplification of stimulated emission of radiation." Your veterinarian can use laser therapy along with or in place of medication to manage your pets' pain and inflammation, and to promote wound healing. 

What conditions can benefit from laser therapy treatment?

Laser therapy can be beneficial for a variety of chronic and acute conditions including:

• Allergies
• Arthritis and inflammation
• Degenerative joint disease
• Lacerations and burns
• Hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis
• Skin conditions and infections
• Fractures, sprains, and strains
• Gingivitis and tooth extraction pain
• Traumatic injuries such as fractures and puncture wounds
• Osteoarthritis
• Pain management
• Wound healing
• Ear infections
• Fungal infections

What's different about therapeutic lasers?

Different powered lasers will take different amounts of time to deliver the treatment dose of light energy. The two classes of therapeutic lasers commonly used for medical purposes are class III and class IV. Class III therapeutic lasers are lower powered and typically use shorter wavelengths. 

Class IV therapeutic lasers are higher powered and use longer wavelengths.

Will my pet have to be shaved prior to receiving therapeutic laser therapy?

No, the therapeutic laser can be used without shaving the treatment area.

How long does a therapeutic laser treatment take?

The length of therapeutic laser treatment depends on the power of the laser. Different powered lasers will take different amounts of time to deliver the treatment dose of light energy. A higher-power laser translates to a shorter treatment time overall. Essentially, a class IV laser will take less time than a class III laser to complete the same treatment.

How many treatments will my pet need and how often can they be performed?

While every pet's condition is different, in general, acute issues require more frequent treatment over a shorter period of time. Chronic conditions can likely be treated less frequently but for a longer period overall. Most patients will require treatment two to five times per week for several weeks.

Watch the videos below to learn more!