The Miracle of Laser Treatment

Laser therapy comes in two types: ‘cold’ and ‘hot’. Cold laser therapy is non-invasive and uses light to stimulate cell regeneration and increase blood circulation. Hot laser treatment is more invasive, coming with the risk of cutting or burning by the increased laser beam intensity. The main difference between cold and hot laser therapy is that cold laser treats the skin’s surface, while hot laser treatments affect deeper tissue.

Though a relatively new concept, laser therapy has been used to treat dogs with arthritis, tendon and soft tissue injuries and promotion of wound healing. It can treat acute and chronic injuries, arthritis, back problems and muscular-skeletal abnormalities. It is even used to regenerate nerve tissue after surgery.

Lasers are, essentially, a beam of light that travels at a certain frequency, allowing the laser to create heat and penetrate tissue. Cold lasers can be programmed for a range of different frequencies for treating different problems in dogs.

What Can Laser Therapy Do For My Dog?
Owners have reported seeing their dog move and play better after receiving laser therapy treatment. When mobility is improved, that means joint medications can be reduced. The best part is that laser therapy has no side effects and the laser won’t burn your dog’s skin. Laser therapy is relaxing for the dog, so there is no need for sedation. The dog’s hair does not need to be shaved or clipped, either.

How Do I Know If My Veterinarian Has Laser Therapy Equipment?

Not all veterinary hospitals have laser therapy equipment because it is very expensive. But the fact that laser therapy is becoming increasingly popular means that equipment will become more affordable and, therefore, more widely available. Ask your veterinarian if their practice has laser therapy.

What Can My Dog Expect When Undergoing Laser Therapy?

Being that there is no pain or sense of invasion from laser therapy, the dog will quickly realize that there is nothing to be afraid of. Certain lasers, such as the Erchonia laser, even has a beam that can shine on the brain, releasing endorphins that stimulate a sense of well-being in your dog. Your dog will associate that feeling of something good with the laser treatment and will not only like the treatment they just went through, but future treatments.

A laser want is applied to the area on your dog that needs to be treated. Depending on the size and severity of the area and the delivered energy of the laser, a typical treatment session will last between 10 and 20 minutes.

Before treatment, a dog will be given a full physical exam, including x-rays (if needed).

How Often Should I Take My Dog For Laser Treatment?

The frequency in which you take your dog for laser treatments varies. If your dog has arthritis, you can expect to start with two to three laser treatments a week, followed by decreased sessions to once weekly, then once every two weeks, etc. This frequency is based on the animal’s response to the treatment as a whole. If a dog has severe arthritis, then more sessions are required and vice versa.

How Much Does Laser Therapy Cost Me?

A therapy session can range from $25.00 to $45.00, though different veterinary practices have different prices. Many veterinary practices offer multiple treatments in bundle visits for cost-effectiveness.