Companion Laser Therapy At Henderson Animal Hospital
Henderson Animal Hospital is proud to be an area leader in advanced, affordable, and versatile veterinary treatment options for companion animals. Pet parents often ask us whether their cat or dog could benefit from a service we offer called veterinary laser therapy, which has grown in popularity in recent years thanks to advances in research and technology.
We are proud to offer this advanced service and provide information so you can learn more about veterinary laser therapy and whether it could help your animal.
Understanding Veterinary Laser Therapy
Veterinary laser therapy—sometimes called red light therapy, cold laser therapy, or low-level light (LLL) therapy—is an adjunctive noninvasive technique that has promising health benefits for cats, dogs, and other animals. It uses light in the form of laser beams to stimulate biological changes in tissues, including skin, bones, ligaments, and tendons.
Unlike more powerful lasers used during surgery to make incisions, veterinary laser therapy emits beams of light at a much lower intensity, with wavelengths typically between 600 and 1,000 nanometers. When these laser beams are directed at a pet’s body, they get absorbed into tissues and stimulate biological changes including enhanced cellular growth, metabolism, and repair.
This process of using light beams to stimulate cellular changes is known as photobiomodulation.
Benefits of Laser Therapy for Pets
Growing research suggests that laser therapy for pets has several potential benefits, including:
- Enhanced blood flow and improved circulation of oxygen and nutrients
- Decreased inflammation
- Decreased pain (by stimulating the release of endorphins and other chemicals in the body)
- Accelerated tissue healing and wound healing, including incisional healing post-operatively
- Muscle relaxation
Is Veterinary Laser Therapy Right for My Companion Pet?
According to the American Animal Hospital Association, laser therapy can be used for dogs and cats who are diagnosed with the following health conditions:
- Surgical incisions
- Trauma and soft tissue damage, including tendon and ligament injuries
- Chronic health conditions like arthritis and hip dysplasia
- Skin and coat problems, including hot spots and ear infections
Laser therapy may also be especially useful for older pets, pets with impaired organ function, and animals who cannot take certain medications, including pain medication.
What Happens During a Pet Laser Therapy Session
When you bring your animal in for a pet laser therapy session, our compassionate staff will do everything we can to make your animal feel calm and comfortable throughout their visit. Laser therapy itself is entirely painless, and many pets find the treatment so relaxing that they fall asleep during their session! Here’s what to expect:
While your pet rests in a comfortable position, one of our Winnipeg veterinarians waves a wand-like device over the target treatment area. Laser beams from this device will penetrate the desired tissues in your pet’s body, initiating a cascade of healing effects. A typical pet laser therapy treatment session lasts about 15 to 30 minutes.
What to Expect During Laser Therapy Session Continued:
While the benefits of laser therapy can begin after just one or two sessions, research suggests that multiple visits yield the best results in terms of pain relief, wound healing, cellular repair, and anti-inflammation. Your Winnipeg veterinarian will be able to help you determine how long and how often your pet should receive laser therapy, based on their needs.
In our commitment to customizing your pet’s medical care, we can also offer additional services and medications as necessary to ensure your animal enjoys optimal outcomes. Because animal laser therapy is safe and non-invasive when used by trained veterinary professionals, it is easy to incorporate it into your pet’s unique treatment plan.
