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What Is Veterinary Laser Therapy?

Veterinary laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment used to treat a wide range of conditions in place of, or combined with, medication to manage pain, inflammation, wound healing and more. Laser therapy in animals has gained popularity over the years due to the positive benefits it has on other methods of treatment and comfort to the patient (animal). Laser therapy works by using specific light waves to penetrate skin and tissue, helping blood flow to that area, speeding the healing process. In this blog - we explain more about how this works, the different types of lasers that can be used for this process, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each.

What Does Animal Laser Therapy Treat?

Animal laser therapy can treat multiple conditions, with or without other forms of therapy & medication. Some of the conditions most commonly treated with laser therapy are listed below.

    • Arthritis 
    • Lick granulomas
    • Acute and chronic otitis
    • Gingivitis & Periodontal disease
    • Hot spot & dermatologic disorders
    • Degenerative/acute disc disease
    • Enhances lymphatic drainage
    • Soft tissue injuries: sprains, strains
    • Haematomas
    • Chronic pain
    • Burns
    • Neuropathy & myelopathy
    • Pre-surgical analgesia
    • Post-surgical trauma
    • Oral lesions & stomatitis
    • Back and muscle pain
    • Wounds and fractures
    • And many more!

How Does Laser Therapy Work?

Therapeutic lasers work by stimulating tissue repair beneath the surface of the skin. This is delivered through red and infrared light. When you use therapeutic lasers, you expose the skin to photons (particles of light), which carry electromagnetic radiation. Mitochondrion, which makes up a portion of the cells in the skin, absorb these photons. This fuels and accelerates cellular processes in the patient. Some lasers use additional light, such as blue for antimicrobial properties. The ACTIVet Pro range uses blue light, combined with 3 other light wavelengths, to target tissue at different levels for specific effects. There are several lasers on the market, all with varying characteristics,choosing the right laser for your practice needs and patients' conditions is integral to the desired outcomes you wish to see.

Laser Classifications And Uses

Laser classifications are the strict safety & hazard ratings, set by the FDA and OSHA. They classify laser output by its potential to harm. Laser classification does not refer to the effectiveness of efficiency, or clinical outcomes of a later. Laser classification only relates to the safety of the laser, to ensure it's handed with the correct care. Read more on laser classification.

When opting for therapeutic laser therapy it’s important to choose the right type of laser. This is because specific wavelengths are more suitable for various treatments. No class of laser is better than the other, and certainly isn't a case of the higher the class the better the laser, as studies have shown that low levels of controlled light can stimulate better clinical outcomes in certain cases. Read this blog, to ensure you're choosing the correct laser for your needs. 

Does Laser Therapy For Animals Work?

Over 5,500 studies and papers produced by researchers across the globe have documented the effects of laser and light on a variety of conditions – a new paper is published every day and a half. It is no longer a question of whether light can have beneficial effects. The question now is with what parameters will the most reliable and consistent clinical outcomes be delivered? The effectiveness of treatments is mainly derived from the effects of the radiance on the cells themselves. The generation or liberation of many important biomolecules is uniquely derived from light absorption. Even subtle amounts of non-thermal energy can initiate repair processes and assist in the reduction of pain. Laser or light devices simply initiate natural healing processes. These events occur not from the heating of tissues (photothermal) but are directly traceable to photochemical processes. Read the peer-reviewed clinical studies here.

  • Benefits of Laser Therapy for Animals

    If a pet or patient has sustained an injury, undergone orthopaedic surgery, suffers from arthritis, or any other painful condition, they could benefit from laser therapy. Laser therapy not only speeds up the healing process but affects the overall quality of the repaired tissue. Muscle, tendon and ligament injuries require increased collagen production for successful healing, and laser therapy (especially low-level laser therapy) stimulates this function.

    Laser light also increases vascular growth and dilation for improved circulation in animals. Laser therapy is a great choice for this, where animals can prove the benefits without the harmful side effects. The biochemical effect of low-level laser therapy on the skin boosts the body’s production of endorphins and prevents the need for additional pain relief medication.

    There are a range of different lasers & treatments you can use. Our selection of Multi Radiance lasers provide the option to treat Equine, Exotic, and Companion animals (cats, dogs, etc).

    We also offer the option for pet owners to treat their loved pet at home with laser therapy. Vet practices can rent the MyPet Laser unit out to clients, to continue prescribed laser treatment; saving the owner from having to visit the practice for each treatment, and maximising the number of sessions available. 

    Learn More About Our Lasers

  • Key Benefits:

    • Enhanced collagen production
    • Decreased healing time
    • Increased blood flow
    • Heals scar tissue
    • Cost-effective alternative to invasive surgeries
    • Effectively reduces inflammation
    • Accelerates tissue repair
    • Does not require the use of medicine
    • Quick outpatient treatment
    • Provides long-lasting relief
    • Customisable to meet your needs

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