Primary Care - Springs Family Veterinary Hospital in Saratoga Springs, NY

~ Cold Laser Therapy ~

What is a therapeutic laser for pets?

Therapeutic laser is a painless and non-invasive treatment option to remedy a variety of conditions. Lasers are able to penetrate through the layers of the body -- a goal that topical therapies are unable to achieve -- releasing endorphins, expanding blood vessels, and decreasing harmful chemicals that cause pain and inflammation. With the reduction of pain and inflammation, healing accelerates. Laser treatments can provide comfort to pets who suffer with painful arthritis or orthopedic and soft tissue injuries by improving circulation and increasing range of motion in affected joints. On a more surface level, laser can also be used for skin conditions and surgical incisions. Laser treatments can benefit pets who are not able to take medication or be used in addition to medication treatment to speed healing and recovery.

What does a laser treatment look like?

A laser treatment is carried out by a licensed technician, and in most cases, treatments are performed right in an exam room with pet owners. First, your pet will be made comfortable. They can choose to stand up or lie down on a blanket. Since safety is first and the laser can be damaging if looked at directly, eye protection is worn by the pet, client and technician. After that, the probe is guided around the area on the pet that needs to be treated. The laser unit does not make any sounds or bright effects that could frighten an animal. Treatments typically last between 15 and 30 minutes, after which the pet is all set to go home!

What sort of conditions can laser help with?

Laser can be used on any tissue that does not have the potential of malignancy. Some conditions we use laser to treat patients include:

Ear infections
Hotspots
Chronic arthritis
Hip dysplasia
Muscle or ligament injury
Abdominal pain and GI distress
Sore gums, gingivitis
Soft tissue traumatic injury

Are there any side effects?

Due to its power, lasers can be harmful to the eyes, which is why protection must be used while conducting a treatment. Laser treatment has no known adverse effects in pets, however, during treatment it is possible that pets may feel a warmth in the affected area.

Questions?

Interested in discussing laser therapy for your pet? Give us a call at (518) 554-8484 with questions or to schedule a consultation!