Cold Laser Therapy

 

Boo-boo being treated for Otitis Externa



Did your pet reduce his or her exercise recently?  Is he or she reluctant to jump into the car or run after a ball or stick?  Is there a wound that just won’t heal? How about gum disease, bad breath, red or sore gums? Does your pet have a  long term ear infection or disc disease? Did your pet recently have surgery? Does he or she yelp because of neck pain? Get the picture? Laser therapy is the use of specific wavelengths of light shown to treat painful or debilitating conditions.

Cold Laser Therapy may be right for your pet. A relatively recent advance in veterinary  
medicine has been the Cold Laser. This is sometimes called laser therapy, low level laser therapy, Class III Laser treatment, Class IV Laser therapy or LLLT. By any name, Cold Laser Therapy is a holistic, non-invasive, effective way to treat and manage many different conditions in the dog or cat.

Cold Laser Therapy is a relatively new technology (about 30 years old) when compared to many alternative therapies like acupuncture (which has been used since 8000-3500 B.C.), chiropractic (since 1895), and physical therapy. Just like the abacus evolved into the computer, many alternative medicine practices are evolving to include laser therapy.

The general therapeutic effects of Cold Laser Therapy on your pet will be:

·         Increase Cell Growth: Laser photons accelerate cellular reproduction and growth

·         Increase Metabolic Activity: Photons initiate higher outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen and food particle loads for blood cells, and thus greater production of the basic food source for cells, Adenosine Tri-Phosphate (ATP)

·         Faster Wound Healing: Cold laser photons stimulate fibroblast development and accelerate collagen synthesis in damaged tissue

·         Anti-Inflammatory Action: Laser photons reduce swelling caused by bruising or inflammation of joints resulting in enhanced joint mobility

·         Increase Vascular Activity: Laser photons induce temporary vasodilation that increases blood flow to effected areas

·         Reduce Fibrous Tissue Formation: Laser photons reduce the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from cuts, scratches, burns, or post surgery

·         Stimulate Nerve Function: Laser photon exposure speeds the process of nerve cell reconnection to bring the numb areas back to life

·         Pain Reduction: Almost all systems have a mode of operation specifically designed to reduce pain

          Restores Mobility: The therapy relieves chronic pain such as arthritic joints

Some Common Questions

How does it work?    The laser beam stimulates the cells and tissue to be healthy.  It also reduces inflammation which helps to promote healing and minimize the pain of many chronic conditions. 

What will my pet feel during the treatment?  The application of light is painless.  Your pet may feel a slight tingling as the light enters the tissue and cells, but it is very minimal, if at all.

How long will each treatment take?  The treatment time depends on how chronic the condition is and the depth the laser light needs to travel.  However, most treatments are between two and ten minutes.

How many treatments will my pet need?  The number of treatments can vary greatly based on the condition, but many pet owners notice a positive difference within one to three treatments. 

What is the cost of the treatments?  The cost per treatment will vary depending on if you purchase a package of multiple treatments or prefer to pay per treatment.  However, the cost is reasonable either way.

Are the results guaranteed?  Cold Laser Therapy has been proven to be effective in clinical studies and rehabilitation settings for both humans and pets.  Over thirty years of research supports the benefits of this holistic approach to treatment.  However, the results cannot be guaranteed for every patient.

11 Benefits of MLS Laser Therapy:

• Anti-Inflammatory Effect 
• Reduced Pain Effect 
• Accelerated Tissue Repair 
•  Cell Growth Improved
• Vascular Activity 
•  Increases Metabolic Activity 
•  Stimulation of Trigger Points and Acupuncture Points 
•  Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation 
•  Improved Nerve Function 
•  Immune-regulation 
•  Faster Wound Healing

MLS Laser Therapy effectively treats pain associated with: arthritis, tendonitis, wounds, post-surgical swelling, inflamed ears, lick granuloma, hip dysplasia, disc disease, lameness, sinusitis and much more!

After laser therapy, dog owners might see their dog go upstairs more often, play with a ball he has not picked up in months or go back to getting on the couch for his nightly snuggle with family members. When dogs have better mobility, medications can often be reduced.

Laser therapy improves the quality of a dog's life as well as the life of its owner, because if your dog is happy, you are happy.

Ask us if Cold Laser Therapy is appropriate for your pet.



The Providence Veterinary Hospital Blog is a publication of Peter Herman, VMD, at the Providence Veterinary Hospital, 2400 Providence Ave. in Chester, PA. Contact Dr. Herman at 610-872-4000 or visit us at http://www.providencevet.com.