We can also use it for ear infections that have maybe caused the ear canal itself to become really swollen. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby welcomes Dr. Jennifer Shepherd to the blog to take a closer look at laser therapy for dogs. It can trigger acupressure points that provide musculoskeletal relief as well as blocking nerve receptors to reduce pain. Laser therapy has been shown to do a lot of different things over time. Cold laser therapy is also known as soft laser therapy, low power laser therapy, low level laser therapy, bio-stimulation laser therapy, therapeutic laser therapy, and LLLT.Cold laser therapy is a treatment that uses a low-powered laser, that does not produce heat, to treat conditions and injuries in dogs. Therapeutic laser complements other pain management strategiesboth pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic, she says. Downing says that laser therapy for dogs can also help with: Increasing the metabolism of specific tissues, Improving nerve function and nerve regeneration. Whether your dog is struggling with arthritis pain like Gabby, or any number of other conditions, laser therapy can help reduce pain and inflammation, speed healing, and get her back to the things she loves. The length of the treatment depends on the underlying condition. Downing says. A laser-certified technician is likely to do the treatments on your dog, which last about 15-30 minutes each, depending on the issue, location, and the dog. Or if we use them for wound closures, we see that the wound is getting smaller and smaller. Laser therapy is non-invasive, which means there's no need to cut into your pet. Take him outside briefly only so he can relieve himself. The Bio-Pulse Dog Therapy System consists of a large (for dogs over 50 pounds) or small (up to 50 pounds) mat with magnetic coils mounted on soft foam. Your veterinarian will discuss whether CO2 laser is appropriate for use during your pet's surgery. 0. Almost every patient that has surgery performed at our veterinary clinic receives a laser therapy treatment on the surgery site. My senior pup just finished his second week. Many canine health issues have responded positively to laser therapy. Many acute conditions have a sudden onset of pain and inflammation, which is lessened through laser therapy. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to protect your dog Laser therapy for dogs can help in many cases by promoting healing and reducing inflammation and pain. Featured image courtesy of Dr. Robin Downing. But the cold laser goes in and targets the cells and the tissues that are associated with inflammation and helps those to subside a bit. Reduced Bleeding and Blood Loss. Laser treatment for dogs is totally pain free and very comforting. Virtually any dog can reap the benefits of cold laser therapy but those with underlying health conditions may find its healing potential particularly valuable. The pets feel soothing warmth and relaxation. Although lasers may cause less pain than scalpels, laser surgery still has the potential to be painful, and hemorrhage (while rare) can still occur. Enter your email address here: 2023 The Drake Center For Veterinary Care. Examples of acute conditions where the laser is beneficial include: To demonstrate how versatile laser therapy for dogs can be, I want to explain how I would use it in my practice for certain conditions. You can cause burns and even potentially increase the growth of cancerous tumors (if their presence is unknown and in the treatment area). Years of this weight transfer was taking a toll on her back end and causing pain in her hips as well. So let me preface this personal story with a dont try this at home disclaimer. I am not sure what the logistics are for a non-veterinarian to purchase a laser. Veterinary laser therapy provides a non-invasive, pain-free, surgery-free and drug-free treatment that is used to treat a variety of conditions, and can be performed in conjunction with existing treatments. The treatment brought the dog's testosterone and LH levels back to normal, and health improvements continued. So we like to have an exam done here, but as long as it's done within the past year here, we can set up a plan for you based on your concerns. Laser treatment for dogs employs deep-penetrating light to promote a chain of chemical reactions known as photobiostimulation. Laser therapy for dogs also helps to block the nerve receptor to decrease pain. Laser treatment for dogs employs deep-penetrating light to promote a chain of chemical reactions known as photobiostimulation. Animal physical therapist Diley Greiser has worked with the pug through her D.A.W.G. In veterinary medicine, there are two types of lasers that are used a surgical laser that cuts through tissue and a cold therapy laser used to reduce pain and inflammation in our patients. Thus, although scattered radiation from the treatment is unlikely to cause eye damage, we encourage everyone involved in the laser treatment session to wear protective eyewear. Laser therapy for dogs can be a big part of a multimodal pain management program, says Dr. Whether your vet performs a traditional spay on your pet or a laser spay, the process is largely the same: In laser surgeries, vets use hot or cold lasers in place of the traditional scalpel. During the induction phase, it is recommended to treat every other day until the dog shows clinical signs of improvement. Give your grey-muzzled companion more good days. Gingivitis and post op dental extractions. The term laser may sound a little intimidating. The family was skeptical but willing to try anything to help her. Your email address will not be published. I use it quite a bit for wound healing and wound closure; if there's a pet that's come in, and perhaps there's a wound that's not to be closed with surgery. LASER is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission radiation. Good luck! Each of these terms refers to the same therapy, using the same equipment to stimulates cell regeneration and increase blood circulation. Hi Amy, Gabby still needed NSAIDs, glucosamine supplements, and a joint diet to manage her arthritis. But as the owner of the veterinary hospital, owner of the laser, and fully consenting adult, I sacrificed my body in the name of science. The frequency of light energy that's used has no risk of burning your dog. Contact Us! The idea of surgery on a dog may be scary, but it can have potentially life-saving effects. By choosing a reputable vet and an animal hospital that you trust the risks of complications due to the spaying surgery (whether laser or traditional) should be minimal. Laser therapy for dogs can be especially beneficial in large wounds that are too big to close surgically and/or have significant infection. Treatment can go on for several weeks. However, if you need medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, please contact your local veterinarian. However, four dogs in the non-laser control group and two in the laser group were on steroids during the study, which is a potentially confounding factor. Some types of mouth and throat surgeries respond well to laser use, and vets can use it to perform spay/neuter surgeries. However, now I use laser therapy treatments frequently for other conditions. For many canines, dog laser therapy is very relaxing. Since laser therapy can increase blood flow to an area, this means more good stuff comes into the area and more bad stuff gets taken away, which is beneficial for healing. It's completely normal for your dog to be quieter than normal when she returns home after her spay. Single treatments typically cost anywhere from $40 to $100 each, says Dr. Cat Care 101 - How Often Should You Take a Cat to The Vet? Hi Kim The CO2 laser is also used for skin tumor removal, eyelid surgery such as correction of entropion or ectropion, and some mouth and throat procedures. Can reduce inflammation, promote healing and improve function in almost every aspect of the body. Downing treats her patients two to three times per week for two to three weeks, and then reduces the frequency depending on the outcome she achieves. Do not bath your pet or allow them to swim for at least ten days after surgery. Laser treatment for dogs has no known side effects, and is considered both safe and effective across the veterinary industry. The costs of the procedure can also fluctuate. The biggest danger is retinal damage to anyone who looks directly at the laser beam. So a lot of our pets get both sides of their hips done and both of their knees done. We gradually reduced her laser treatments until we were able to maintain her comfort level with treatment sessions every four to six weeks. My 11 year old is suffering from severe OA and is receiving laser during acupuncture treatments. Resource Articles 2023 GeniusVets. A therapeutic laser shouldnt be used in certain cases, Dr. Downing, the most commonly used therapeutic lasers in veterinary medicine are Class 3 and Class 4. This can happen anywhere along the spine, but most commonly occurs in the neck and the lower back. Arthritis / hip dysplasia. Learn some common questions pet parents have about surgeries. As a young dog, shed started on a high-quality glucosamine dog supplement. Do you have a recommendation of a machine or machines to consider? No. Dog laser therapy is a very helpful tool during postoperative recovery. Spaying your dog before her first heat can help her to live a long and healthy life bypreventing serious issues such as uterine infections and breast tumors. As more robust studies have been carried out, interest in therapeutic laser for treating various conditions has grown dramatically, Dr. Maybe you have an older pet who has arthritis and would benefit from laser therapy, or maybe your dog has an ear infection. There are many other options out there, but as you already pointed out, they are expensive. In other words, the laser can cause specific, beneficial changes to the cells in the tissue. 3.Tummy Trouble. This will allow the pet's body to heal easier and enable your pet a quicker return to a normal lifestyle. 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