Laser Therapy
The Drug Free, Surgery Free Solution
Advancements in veterinary medical care include modern laser treatments. Since 2008, Lazy 5 Vets has offered k-laser therapy for our patients. This cold laser therapy is a painless, drug free, and surgery free therapy option providing advanced pain relief for both dogs and cats. This type of therapeutic treatment can help relieve pain, fight inflammation, reduce swelling, increase range of motion, and stimulate wound healing.
What is Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy, or “photobiomodulation,” is the use of specific wavelengths of light to create therapeutic effects. These effects include improved healing time, pain reduction, increased circulation and decreased swelling.
Laser Therapy Can Help With:
Rehabilitation
Steoarthritis
Joint Pain
Tendinopathies
Edema and Congestion
Ligament Sprains
Muscle Strains
Puncture Wounds
Post-Traumatic Injury
Post-Surgical Pain
Neck and Back Pain
Hip Dysplasia
Burns
Chronic Wounds
Rehabilitation
Post-Orthopedic Surgical Recovery
Reintroduction to Activity
Laser therapy can relieve pain, reduce swelling and increase range of motion. Because of this your pet may exhibit renewed energy and freedom of movement. Consult your veterinarian before your pet returns to full activity. A gradual introduction of activity may be suggested to ensure that your pet does not aggravate their condition.
Laser Therapeutic Effects
During each painless treatment, laser energy increases circulation, drawing water, oxygen, and nutrients to the damaged area. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, function is restored and pain is relieved.
Cellular Effects of Laser Therapy
During laser therapy the infrared laser light interacts with tissues at the cellular level, and metabolic activity increases within the cell, improving the transport of nutrients across the cell membrane. This initiates the increased production of cellular energy (ATP) that leads to a cascade of beneficial effects, increasing cellular function and health.
What to Expect
There is no patient sedation or restraint required and the experience is usually pleasant and comforting to your pet. Although improvement is often seen after the first visit, most patients require several treatments (3 to 8) for greatest benefit.
For most conditions, we recommend a multi-visit treatment plan. Treatments vary in length, but most sites require 2 to 8 minutes. A majority of patients exhibit greater comfort and mobility within 12 to 24 hours after a laser treatment.
Class IV Laser Therapy treatments are cumulative in nature. The length and frequency of treatments varies with your pet’s condition.
A sample treatment schedule is as follows:
Twice the second week (2 total)
Once the third week (1 total)
Boosters as needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Effectiveness Been Demonstrated Scientifically?
Yes. There are thousands of published studies demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of Laser Therapy. Among these, there are more than one hundred rigorously controlled, scientific studies that document the effectiveness of laser for many clinical conditions.
Does it hurt? What does a treatment feel like?
There is little or no sensation during treatment. Occasionally the patient feels mild, soothing warmth, or tingling. Areas of pain or inflammation may be sensitive briefly before pain reduction.
Are there any side effects or associated risks?
During more than twenty years of use by healthcare providers all over the world, very few side effects have ever been reported. Occasionally some old injuries or pain syndromes may feel aggravated for a few days, as the healing response is more active after treatment.
How often should a patient receive laser therapy?
Acute conditions may be treated daily, particularly if they are accompanied by significant pain. More chronic problems respond better when treatments are received 2 to 3 times a week, tapering to once every week or two as improvement is seen.
How many laser therapy treatments does it take?
This depends on the nature of the condition being treated. For some acute conditions 1-2 treatments may be sufficient. Those of a more chronic nature may require 5 to 8 (or more) treatments. Some conditions may require ongoing periodic care to control pain.
How long before results are felt from laser therapy?
Your pet may feel improvement in their condition (usually pain reduction) after the first treatment. Sometimes they will not feel improvement for a number of treatments. This does not mean that nothing is happening. Each treatment is cumulative and results are often felt after 3 or 4 sessions.
Laser Therapy Testimonials
“Pete started showing symptoms of arthritis and pain around the age of two. After scans, we discovered both hips and knees were in bad shape. By age four, he was no longer able to keep up with our other two labs. Our playful, loving dog had turned into a grumpy, lifeless dog. After treatments with K-Laser at Lazy 5, Pete slowly started going on longer walks, feeling good enough to swim again, and this progressed into running around with our other dogs on the farm. Now, Pete’s quality of life has improved 100% from where we were one year ago. I recommend K-Laser to anyone with an animal experiencing joint pain or limited mobility!” – Crystal Seagraves
The image below shows a laceration repair and how quickly a severe wound can heal and recover with laser therapy.”
To speak with our staff about how laser therapy might help your pet, simply contact us today.