Benefits of Laser Therapy for Dogs
Everything you need to know about Laser Therapy for Dogs
What is laser therapy?
Laser therapy (or photobiomodulation) is a form of light-based treatment that uses controlled
amounts of low-intensity light to modulate natural biological processes and produce clinically
beneficial effects. It is painless, non-invasive, and safe.
What are the benefits of laser therapy?
Laser therapy…
- relieves pain
- resolves acute and chronic inflammation
- reduces swelling
- heals and regenerates nerve tissue
- promotes wound healing and tissue repair
- modulates immune response
- stimulates stem cells (both natural stem cells and stem cells that have been injected)
How does that help my dog?
Studies have shown that laser can…
- improve range of motion / flexibility
- improve daily functional activities (managing stairs, getting on couch, being able to play, returning to sports)
- improve neurologic function (for better standing, walking, and less dragging of toes)
increase tensile strength of muscle and tendon - slow progression of osteoarthritis
- enhance healing of nerves
- facilitate bone healing
What will my dog feel?
Your dog shouldn’t feel much. Most dogs relax quickly once the treatment starts. Pain relief
can begin immediately but takes 15-30 min for the full effect.
Does this laser get hot?
We are using a Class 3B laser. It is NOT a thermal tool and does not create effects through the use of heat. This is not the type of laser that burns tissue.
There may be secondary heating or irritation at the surface of the skin where there is more pigment and/or dark fur. Your PT is constantly monitoring for this and will adjust the treatment
settings accordingly if this occurs.
How do I know that the laser is working?
You should see a positive change in 1-2 treatments. If not, let your PT know so that the treatment settings can be adjusted.
You might be wondering why you don’t see anything. With the safety glasses on, you won’t see the red light being emitted from the probe.
This looks easy! Can anyone laser my pet?
It is important that the person providing your laser treatment is able to assess your pet’s
muscles and movement both before and after laser sessions to determine if the treatment
settings were effective. This is how we know when to decrease the frequency of treatments.
Having a thorough understanding of canine anatomy is also essential to ensure that the laser is
being directed to the appropriate tissues.
How many laser treatments will my pet need?
That depends on our goals. The effects of laser are cumulative—you will generally see more
improvement with more treatment.
Below are research-based recommendations for different conditions. Keep in mind that these are considered to be the “gold standard” and aren’t always possible in the real world.
- Chronic issues: daily for 3-5 days, then every other day for 3-5 treatments until improvement, then 2x a week, decreasing in frequency gradually to every 2-6
weeks - Significant pain: twice a day for 1-3 days, then every other day until improvement
- Arthritis: 2-3 times a week for 6-10 treatments, then decrease frequency
- After surgery / injury: twice a day for first few days, then every other day, then decreasing as needed
- Skin lesions: 2-3 times a week until healed
Many clients see improvement with laser treatments just 1-2 times a week. I am here to support you. I will work with you to determine the most cost effective treatment plan for your schedule and budget!
How long will the effects last?
The effects of laser therapy can last for hours, days, or weeks. Watch your pet’s quality of
movement, willingness to move / participate in activity, and overall mood for indicators of
comfort level.
Can the laser make my dog worse?
If the dog is fragile, dehydrated, is very old, or has severe chronic pain (especially due to arthritis), your dog may be more sore 24-48 hours after its treatment. In these cases, we will decrease the intensity of the laser and and will proceed more slowly. Please monitor your pet at home for any signs of increased discomfort, and let your therapist know.
Information from SpectraVET and Dr. Laurie McCauley at Optimum Pet Vitality