Laser Therapy
What is Laser Therapy and How Does It Work?
Here at Sugarloaf Animal Hospital, our Veterinary team prides itself on always searching for new ways to care for your pets, especially where relief of pain is concerned. That is why we have now added Veterinary Laser (Photobiomodulation) to our therapy options for our patients.
Veterinary Laser Therapy provides a non-invasive, pain-free, surgery-free, and drug-free treatment for a variety of conditions that can be performed either in conjunction with existing treatments or as a stand-alone session.
What Conditions Can Laser Therapy Treat?
Laser therapy can treat a multitude of ailments, including:
• Muscle, ligament and tendon injuries
• Post-surgical and soft tissue trauma
• Back pain, especially the difficult-to-treat Iliopsoas Muscle scenario.
• IVDD, especially a problem for Dachshunds
• Ear infections
• Gingivitis
• Hot Spots and open wounds
• Arthritis/hip dysplasia
• Anal gland infections and inflammation
• Cystitis/Renal Disease
• Lick granulomas
• Ear Infections
• Allergic airway i.e. Asthma in Cats, Rhinitis in Pugs, Westie Lung etc.
• Agility/Working Animal: Improves stamina, reduces muscle injury risk
How Long Will it Take to See an Improvement in My Pet?
Your pet’s condition will be the biggest influence on the speed of recovery and the number of sessions needed.
Treatments vary in length, but most cases require 3 to 4 treatment sessions and improvement can often be seen after just one visit.
Laser treatments are cumulative, so each additional treatment facilitates a greater improvement in your pet’s condition.
Some improvement is usually expected by the third session and almost certainly by the sixth. It would be an exceedingly rare case not to see a dramatic improvement by the sixth session, with an initial review after three sessions.
We advise you to take photos and videos from just before the first session, during, and again at the end of the regime as a great way to chart your pet’s progress.
Are There any Side Effects of Laser Therapy?
Laser treatment has no known side effects and is considered both safe and effective across the veterinary industry.
Laser therapy is classified by many as a ‘Drug-Equivalent’ therapy, meaning the effect laser can trigger in the body is the same end result as if the pet had taken antibiotics or a pain killer. Yet this recovery occurs without the side effects of those medications, since laser achieves its effect by improved internal signalling, not by suppressing or replacing an internal bodily reaction.
Laser Therapy for Pain Relief
Laser treatments are an excellent way to provide pain relief to your pet. Laser therapy eases pain by reducing inflammation through ‘vasodilation’ (the opening of blood vessels) and activating the lymphatic drainage system, thus draining swollen areas. The result is a reduction in swelling, which reduces pain. The Laser also stimulates nerve cells that block pain signals from being transmitted to the brain, thereby decreasing nerve sensitivity. Because there is less inflammation, less swelling, and an interruption of pain signals to the brain, your pet will experience less pain. Laser treatments also stimulate the production of elevated levels of naturally produced endorphins and serotonin, which further counteract your pet’s pain.
Laser Therapy to Recover from Injury or Surgery
Laser therapy is a beneficial tool during post-operative recovery. In minor cases, laser therapy alone may be enough to alleviate pain and stimulate the healing process. Because it works directly on injured or affected areas, laser treatments can help speed up healing, strengthen muscle and tissue, improve mobility, and enhance your pet’s overall quality of life almost immediately.
What Can I Expect at the Laser Therapy Appointment; Are Laser Treatments Painful or Uncomfortable?
Unlike many of the human laser beauty or surgical treatments you might have experienced yourself, Medical Laser Therapy treatment is not a ‘Hot’ Laser therapy for either humans or our pets.
Medical Laser Therapy is totally pain-free and very comforting.
While the laser is being administered, your pet may feel a gentle and soothing warmth, tingling, or no sensation at all.
For many patients, laser therapy is very relaxing. As areas of pain or inflammation become more comfortable, any anxiety and tension your pet may be experiencing tends to quickly dissipate.
As vets, we love seeing patients go from being scared and in pain, to becoming relaxed and more than happy to come back. In fact, our pets are so smart, they very quickly work out something really nice just happened and they will often race back into the clinic on the next visit, eager for another laser session.
How Can I Schedule a Laser Therapy Appointment?
Laser therapy is a beneficial tool during post-operative recovery. In minor cases, laser therapy alone may be enough to alleviate pain and stimulate the healing process. Because it works directly on injured or affected areas, laser treatments can help speed up healing, strengthen muscle and tissue, improve mobility, and enhance your pet’s overall quality of life almost immediately.
Book Your Consultation
Call Sugarloaf Animal Hospital today on 02 4955 1833 and ask us about our Veterinary Laser Therapy, our non-invasive, pain-free, surgery-free, and drug-free treatment option.
