An old therapy gets an update at Browns Point Vet Clinic
This may be news to some of you, but I have been using cold laser for twenty years, to help the patients in my veterinary clinic. As we are getting an exciting new update to our cold laser unit, I thought I would review the uses for this amazing, non-invasive therapy for those less familiar with it.
Robot by Any Other Name
Our new Class 4 Companion Animal Laser certainly deserves a name, maybe “Eve” or R2D2 or something friendly and helpful! The destructive lasers of science fiction and James Bond movies, as well as the industrial lasers that create amazing works of art with wood and other materials, are “hot Lasers,” hence their ability to cut bad guys in half. Cooler wavelengths such as those in surgical lasers are very gentle to body tissues. A therapeutic laser like ours comes pre-programmed to treat different sizes and species of animals, with special programs related to coat color, coat length and most importantly what body parts will be treated, with no incisions or even shaving.
How Can a Cold Laser Help My Pet?
Using each pet’s specific physiology and medical condition, the cold laser’s actions are to reduce inflammation, decrease pain, and accelerate the body’s natural healing process. The functional part of the laser looks like an ultrasound head, and this may be in contact with the pet or hover above the skin. The sensation is gently warming and takes just a few minutes to perform. Pets and their parents are asked to wear protective eyewear just to be safe, and of course the staff member will put on goggles as well. Laser sessions are performed in the exam room and are scheduled once a week or more initially, depending on the pet’s condition. Let’s take a closer look at how pets benefit from laser therapy.
Decrease Pain and Inflammation
Cold laser can have an immediate effect to reduce inflammation. We have used this modality on injured knees in dogs who have had bad sprains, for spinal injuries, and in many kinds of trauma. It is useful after surgery to treat incisions, to help decrease pain and promote healing. Recently a cat came in with very inflamed gums due to an immune condition. Cold laser therapy performed through the cheek provided a remarkable response that both the pet parent and I noticed! And the treatment was well-tolerated, as we did not have to touch the painful mouth.
One interesting effect of cold laser is that it can promote tendon and ligament healing, by promoting the regeneration of cells, with minimal scar tissue. Ligament injuries are so common in athletic dogs, and we find that we can get a joint injury to settle down with cold laser. There is very good research to support the use of cold laser for spinal disorders, particularly intervertebral disc disease. And there are applications for our Companion Animal Laser to even treat intestinal pain and diarrhea. I think this will help a lot of pets with belly aches!
Promote Wound Healing
Some pets come in with painful areas of the skin that are so chronically inflamed that the poor animal cannot leave it alone. These types of wounds are called “lick granulomas” and they can be very frustrating for everyone, trying to keep the pet comfortable and able to leave the area alone so it can heal. One very good tool is a cold laser. Not only does this therapy decrease pain sensation, but it also promotes normal tissue healing. We have successfully treated many animals’ difficult wounds with the help of cold laser. It is a good tool to use post-surgery, especially after an orthopedic procedure like a knee repair or even spinal surgery. Don’t get me wrong, as an acupuncturist I would love to put needles in these pets as well! An advantage of cold laser is the speed and comfort of the therapy, and it is something my excellently trained staff can perform.
What next?
If you have more questions or are interested in cold laser therapy for your pet, give our office a call at 253-927-1323.
