Pet Laser Therapy
At Rutland Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Center, we use laser therapy primarily as a complement to pain management plans. Pets experience pain in much the same way we do, and over time it may cause undue stress that slows the healing process and diminishes your pet’s quality of life. Furthermore, many pain medications, while very safe for short-term use, can cause some side effects in long-term cases. Laser therapy for dogs and cats offers another option: the ability to relieve pain and shorten healing time with zero side effects.
What is Laser Therapy for Dogs and Cats and How Does It Work?
Laser therapy uses concentrated light energy to stimulate cell production. This process is called photobiomodulation and the results include improved circulation, increased cell activity, and a release of endorphins, all of which mean faster healing and less pain for your pet. For surface-level injuries and conditions, such as soft tissue surgery recovery or hot spots on dogs, only one or two sessions are enough to engender an effective response. Meanwhile, more chronic, deep-rooted conditions such as orthopedic issues, demand a lengthier treatment plan.
What Conditions Can You Treat with Pet Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy is highly useful for cats and dogs of any age, and with almost any condition that causes pain. However, we cannot use it for pets who have or may have cancer because the therapeutic laser could stimulate the growth of cancer cells.
Conditions we typically use laser therapy for include:
- Post-op recovery
- Recovery from an orthopedic injury or surgery
- Arthritis in dogs and cats
- Hot spots on dogs and cats
- Dog and cat ear infections
- Lick granulomas
- Sprains, strains, and tears
- Wound healing
- And more