Pets who suffer chronic pain and inflammation or who have an acute injury can benefit from laser therapy. The laser uses painless light energy to penetrate tissues and alter cell function, positively impacting healing and recovery. This alternative therapy represents a major advancement in veterinary care and provides pet owners with a natural, pain-free option that complements their pet’s other treatments. 

At Caldwell Animal Hospital, we design laser therapy sessions that will benefit our patients who have a wide variety of conditions. Here is our guide to help pet owners understand how laser therapy works, and how the treatment could help their pets.

How do pet therapeutic lasers work?

Therapeutic (i.e., “cold”) lasers emit specific light wavelengths and energy that penetrate a pet’s skin or their deeper tissues, such as muscle or bone. The photons in the light interact with body cells and alter their energy metabolism, promoting faster tissue regeneration and repair. Laser therapy can also reduce pain and inflammation, an important aspect of recovery. 

General use lasers fall into classes from one through five:

  • Class 1 — Class one lasers, which are harmless, are used for tasks like scanning barcodes.
  • Class 2 — Class two lasers are often used in laser pointers.
  • Classes 3 and 4 —  Therapeutic lasers are typically in classes three or four, which equate to more power. Both are equally effective for treating pets, although sessions may be shorter with a higher-class laser.

Pet health conditions that respond to laser therapy

A laser is a good treatment option for any inflammatory or painful condition, or when the body needs assistance to heal more quickly and effectively. We often use the laser as an adjunct to other treatments, such as medications or physical therapy, for acute or chronic conditions. Laser therapy is also an excellent option for pets who cannot take certain medications or undergo procedures because of concurrent medical issues, such as kidney or liver disease.

The most common laser uses include:

  • Arthritis
  • Orthopedic injuries
  • Gingivitis and tooth extractions
  • Surgical incisions
  • Post-surgical recovery
  • Skin or ear inflammation
  • Skin wounds
  • Intervertebral disc disease
  • Superficial infections

Pet laser therapy risks

Laser therapy is generally safe for pets, but only in the hands of a trained professional. Each laser session is carefully calibrated to deliver a specific energy amount, and improper programming or use could lead to thermal injury. The laser could also damage the retina if accidentally shone in the eyes, so everyone in the room must wear proper eye protection.

The laser can be dangerous or harmful in only a few specific situations, including use in pregnant pets, or those with cancer or suspected cancer. If the laser is used where cancer cells are or could be present, the cancer growth could theoretically speed up, causing the pet’s condition to worsen.

What happens during a laser therapy session?

Most laser therapy sessions take only a few minutes while your pet sits or lies comfortably in the exam room or treatment area. You can remain in the room to comfort your pet during their treatment. We first calibrate the laser to the prescribed power, wavelength, and time, and then begin the session, which involves a machine that counts down the time while a trained team member moves the laser head slowly back and forth over the target area. The sessions are not painful, and most pets relax from the soothing, mild tissue-warming effect.

A note on at-home pet laser devices

You may see some pet laser therapy devices available for purchase over-the-counter. These devices are extremely low-powered, which means they are safe enough to sell to anyone, but are unlikely to have enough power to improve your pet’s condition. In other words, you won’t harm your pet if you try one, but you’re unlikely to see any improvement. If you want the most out of your pet’s laser treatment, only a licensed veterinary professional can deliver.

Look no further than Caldwell Animal Hospital if you want a non-invasive, painless treatment method to address your pet’s pain and discomfort and speed up their healing and recovery. Our knowledgeable team members will advise you if laser therapy is right for your pet and may recommend other treatment options that act synergistically with laser treatments. Contact us to schedule a laser therapy consultation and to discuss our package pricing and options for your pet’s specific condition.