Mobile Vet Care: Laser Therapy
During a typical treatment, the pet will lie on a padded bed or blanket on a table or the floor.
Sometimes the owner positions himself or herself by the patient’s head and pets them while we chat during the treatment. Both the pet and the people in the room must wear goggles to protect their eyes while the laser is in use.
What to Expect During a Laser Therapy Session
The length of a single laser treatment depends on the power density of the laser unit but is usually under one minute per site. Lasers are categorized into four classes, with Class 4 delivering the highest power output.
The most commonly used therapeutic lasers in veterinary medicine are Class 3 and Class 4. The higher the power of the laser, the shorter the time that is needed to deliver a particular dose of energy into the animal’s tissues.
How Long Does Eash Session Last?
The frequency of pet laser therapy treatments varies depending on the type of laser used, the disease being treated, and whether it is a chronic or acute issue. Typically two to three times per week for two to three weeks, and then reduces in frequency depending on the outcomes.
For very acute, painful conditions like a ruptured anal gland, the pet receives the treatment daily for three to five days, then several times the next week, and then increases the time between treatments until the set goal is achieved. The first treatment for surgical wounds is done before the animal even wakes up.
How Many Treatments Will Your Pet Need?
Therapeutic laser therapy uses light energy, which is cold or low-level, to work its “magic.” Light used at specific frequencies causes a physiological change at the cellular level.
These changes can include replenishing adenosine triphosphate (ATP, the molecule that carries energy in the cells of every living being), reducing inflammation and decreasing pain transmission.
While the exact method of action for laser therapy has not yet been identified, it is thought that, in essence, it provides a “jump start” to the cells needed for healing and other body processes.
How Does Laser Therapy Work?
The costs of the procedure can fluctuate. Single treatments typically cost anywhere from $40 to $100 each. Most practitioners bundle treatments and provide a discount to make the treatments more affordable. Then the treatments can be used at whatever pace seems optimal for the patient. The fee may also include other forms of care.
How Much Does Laser Therapy Cost?
Laser therapy for pets can be a big part of a multimodal pain management program. It can be paired with acupuncture, massage, chiropractic care, and hydrotherapy, as well as with medications and supplements.
Because laser therapy increases the comfort and mobility of the pet with relatively few side effects, it can help when a patient who’s in pain also has heart, kidney, or liver disease that prohibits the animal from using traditional therapies like prescription medications. Therapeutic laser complements other pain management strategies—both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic.
Combining With Other Treatments
A therapeutic laser shouldn’t be used in certain cases. For instance, applying a laser over a tumor site could accelerate its growth. If a cancer has metastasized, meaning it’s spread to other areas, laser therapy should not be used, as there is a possibility it could accelerate the cancer growth. It also shouldn’t be used over the uterus of a pregnant animal.
No matter where you encounter pain in your pet, and no matter the reason for their pain, therapeutic lasers can generally contribute toward improvement.
Note: The above information about laser therapy is published in pedmed.com
For the complete article please refer to: Laser therapy in veterinary medicine | IVC Journal
