Laser Therapy For Pet Joint Pain And Inflammation

Laser therapy for dogs and cats provides a non-invasive treatment. It helps relieve pain, reduce inflammation, speed healing, and more. 

Laser therapy isn’t just for people. It’s also a non-invasive treatment method for many conditions – especially painful ones — in our dogs and cats. Laser therapy is painless and has no side effects. Veterinarians can perform it on animals of any age. Let’s take a look at laser therapy for pet joint pain and inflammation, and how it might help your dog or cat. 

How does laser therapy work?

Laser therapy uses a very narrow beam of light with different wavelengths. This beam emits high-density energy. Depending on the wavelength, it can penetrate superficially with short wavelengths or deeper into tissues with longer wavelengths. 

Did you know? “Laser” is an acronym for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation”.

 

Once the laser light reaches the targeted tissues, it triggers a chain of cellular reactions (photobiomodulation). These reactions repair tissues, reduce inflammation, and speed up healing. In addition, laser therapy helps manage chronic pain in dogs and cats.

The most commonly used laser device for animals emits longer wavelengths of infrared or near-infrared light. Other types of lasers can emit green, blue, or purple light, depending on the animal’s condition.

Lasers are divided into four classes: I, II, IIIa, IIIb, and IV, based on the power they emit. Class I lasers have the lowest power, while Class IV lasers have the highest. The most frequently used for animals are Class IIIb lasers.

In short, laser therapy exposes tissues to low-level laser light. This leads to more effective and faster treatment of certain conditions.

What conditions in dogs and cats can laser therapy help treat?

Laser therapy has numerous applications in veterinary medicine.

1. Musculoskeletal disorders

• Knee pain induced by other conditions (e.g. torn ligaments, arthritis, or tendonitis)
• Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
• Elbow osteoarthritis
• Back and neck pain
• Tendon weakness
• Spinal problems
• Articular pain
• Hip dysplasia
• Arthritis

Did you know? Research has demonstrated the benefits of laser therapy in animals suffering from osteoarthritis. In one study, laser therapy served as an adjuvant treatment for joint pain. This led to increased activity levels, improved quality of life, and reduced reliance on analgesic drugs.

2. Other medical conditions

• Limb edema due to stasis or trauma (sprains and dislocations)
• Pain caused by nerve damage (neuropathy)
• Acute pain due to accidents or trauma
• Anal and perianal infections
• Gingivitis and stomatitis
• Skin wounds and burns
• Facial nerve paralysis
• Periodontal diseases
• Post-surgical pain
• Pododermatitis
• Inflammations
• Ear infections
• Nerve lesions

How is laser therapy applied to dogs and cats?

A veterinarian determines the specific laser dose based on the condition being treated, along with several factors such as: 

• Age
• Health status
• Body weight
• Skin color
• How long the condition has been present. 

First, the vet cleans the treatment area, then places the laser head parallel to and in direct contact with the dog or cat’s skin. Many animals fall asleep during the procedure.

The treatment duration depends on the condition’s severity. Up to seven points per area can be treated, with each point taking about two minutes. The animal may feel a slight warming or tingling of the area due to increased circulation or nerve stimulation.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of laser therapy for animals? 

Scientists and medical professionals have used laser therapy successfully in humans for many decades, beginning in 1962. Over time, as it proved its effectiveness, scientists and veterinarians decided use it for animals as well.

Did you know? Veterinarians most often use laser therapy for dogs.

Advantages

• Laser therapy is non-invasive; this means it does not cause tissue damage.
• It can be applied to animals of all ages and breeds.
• It may be used on its own or in combination with other therapies.
• Laser does not interact with medication or surgery.
• It has no side effects.
• The treatment time lasts only a few minutes.
• Laser therapy applications for many health issues (e.g. from pain and inflammation to burns and osteoarthritis).
• It is not toxic or painful. 

Did you know? Some veterinarians may recommend laser therapy after surgery to promote tissue healing.

Disadvantages

• Laser therapy can become expensive when multiple treatment sessions are required. In mild conditions, one or two sessions can solve the problem. In the case of extensive wounds (e.g. burns) or chronic pain (e.g. osteoarthritis), several treatment sessions will be needed.
• Animals with older lesions may feel slight discomfort during the first treatment session.
• Laser therapy should not be applied on certain skin lesions or tumors.
• Some cats may need sedation. 

Laser therapy for pet joint pain and inflammation is painless, non-toxic, and does not damage tissues. If your animal companion suffers from any of the conditions mentioned in this article, ask your veterinarian about adding laser therapy to your best friend’s treatment plan. 

Laser therapy has multiple benefits 

Briefly, laser therapy can be successfully used in dogs and cats for the following: 

• Pain relief
• Faster healing and recovery from injury 
• Oral care
• Improved blood circulation
• Reduced inflammation and edema
• Repair of superficial lesions

Are there any contraindications?

Although laser therapy offers many benefits to our canine and feline companions, there are also some contraindications. 

Because laser stimulates blood and lymph circulation in the affected areas, it is not recommended for animals with cancer, including skin cancer. The use of laser therapy on tumors could contribute to their growth precisely because it stimulates blood flow. 

Laser therapy may not be effective for some skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis. 

For these reasons, be sure to consult with your veterinarian before considering laser therapy for your dog or cat. 

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