A Guide to Laser Therapy for Dogs
For many people, pets are like family. When they are dealing with an illness or recovering from surgery, Dr. Kasey, Dr. Meghan and Dr. Scarlett may recommend laser therapy as a solution. This non-invasive procedure uses light to provide pain relief and heal inflammation. Here’s what you need to know about this service to see if it’s right for your furry friend.
What Are Some Common Uses for Laser Therapy?
Veterinarians use laser therapy to treat a variety of conditions. The focused beams work to increase circulation in that area, which triggers your pet’s natural healing reactions in their body. At certain levels, the laser can even open up blood vessels and stimulate lymphatic drainage.
If your pet experienced a skin wound or injured their muscle or ligament, laser therapy can rapidly increase healing time, mobility, and reduce scar tissue development. This also works for pet owners who want to take their fur babies in to get spayed or neutered.
Laser therapy is also fantastic for treating senior patients experiencing pain and discomfort or immobility since targeted treatments will reduce inflammation and help with pain relief by stimulating endorphins in the body. For conditions such as ear infections and gingivitis, the light can calm the surrounding tissue to ease pain and speed healing.
What Are the Benefits of Laser Therapy?
Many veterinarians use laser therapy for treatment because the low-frequency light doesn’t cause side effects, and the procedure pairs well with other methods, such as acupuncture, massage, hydrotherapy, and medication. The only concern is to protect your pets eyes from the light, which the veterinarian does by covering your pet with safety goggles or another method.
If your dog or cat often experiences any anxiety or discomfort at the vet, laser therapy can often be a better treatment option since they can lie down in a quiet environment and won’t need any sedation. The procedure is also very quick, usually only lasting a few minutes per area that’s being healed. After a few treatments, your pet may even associate the trip to the office as a positive experience.
If your pet could benefit from laser therapy treatment, reach out to Animal Medical Center in the Gulf Shores, AL, area. With 25 years of experience, we continually strive to provide pleasant and comfortable experiences for pets and pet owners alike. Call (251) 955-5900 today to speak to a helpful representative about the variety of services offered or browse our website to see what we have to offer.
