Veterinary Laser Treatments
Laser treatments can be effective in healing animals as well as humans. Approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, laser therapy is designed to repair and regenerate deep tissue in order to relieve both acute and chronic pain. The K-laser system works by improving circulation, thereby enabling nutrients, oxygen and water to reach the affected area more quickly. Laser treatments are based on the belief that light is absorbed into the cell, a process known as photo-biotherapy. By stimulating metabolism in the cells, laser therapy improves health and well-being on a cellular level.
Laser treatments are not recommended for animals with active cancers. Because laser treatments stimulate blood flow, it is believed that may increase blood flow to cancer cells and result in the growth of tumors.
Reasons for Veterinary Laser Treatments
Dogs, cats, and other animals can benefit from laser treatments. These treatments can help to ease the pain and speed the healing of:
- Fractures, sprains, and other traumatic injuries
- Muscle spasms
- Inflammations and swellings
- Arthritic conditions
Because most animals suffer traumatic injuries at one time or another, and because almost all animals develop some arthritis as they age, laser treatments have relieved pain and increased pleasurable activity for a great number of pets.
The Laser Treatment Procedure
As medical procedures, laser treatments have a great many advantages over certain other methods of pain relief. They are short, usually only 5 to 10 minutes per session. The animal is usually put in a dim room with its owner, often with soft music playing. The experience is pleasurable for most animals.
The laser treatments are safe, even for open wounds and metal implants, cause no pain and result in no side effects. Patients experience only warmth and a slight tingling sensation during treatment so they animals are relaxed. In addition, laser treatments help the body to release endorphins which results in reduced nerve sensitivity and further pain reduction.
Most animals respond well immediately after a laser treatment and often demonstrate increased energy and agility. For most acute injuries, only 4 to 6 treatments are necessary, but if the treatments are for a chronic or severe condition or if they are being administered to an older arthritic animal, they can be repeated as necessary with no ill effects.
Benefits of Laser Treatments
Laser treatments have proven effective in relieving pain in animals' necks, backs, knees, shoulders and elbows. They have advantages over many methods of pain relief in that they:
- Are not stressful
- Are pain-free
- Have few or no side effects
- Work quickly
- Speed healing
- Reduce inflammation
- Can be used over open skin
- Can be used over implants
Between 70 and 80 percent of all animals receiving laser treatments are found to benefit from them. In many cases, the improvement in the animal's condition is profound.