Is your dog getting older? Have you noticed any visible signs of discomfort in your loved one? While our pets love us unconditionally, the unfortunate truth is that their lifespans are much shorter than ours. Fortunately, there is an effective way to prolong for cat or dog’s quality of life when they’re entering their advanced years: cold laser therapy.
What Is Cold Laser Therapy?
Cold Laser Therapy is an increasingly popular form of alternative treatment for cats, dogs, and humans. Low-level lasers or light-emitting diodes are painlessly and noninvasively applied to the surface of the body with the intention of relieving pain and stimulating cell function. Unlike high-powered lasers that cut or destroy tissue (the type of lasers that most people tend to be familiar with), low-level lasers have shown promising benefits for pets and humans alike.
Is My Cat Or Dog A Candidate For Cold Laser Therapy?
Due to the fact that low-level lasers are a harmless and relatively pain-free procedure, nearly any pet would make a good candidate for this alternative form of regenerative treatment. If your pet is struggling with any of the following ailments, however, they’re extremely likely to benefit from CLT:
- Muscle strains and tears
- Post-surgical pain
- Tendon and ligament injuries
- Chronic joint pain
- Osteoarthritis and other degenerative conditions
- Chronic wounds that won’t heal
- Bone fractures
When it comes to Cold Laser Therapy for pets, there is very little to be lost and a lot to be gained.
How Does Cold Laser Therapy For Pets Work?
CLT works similarly for humans as it does in pets. Light is used at specific frequencies in order to cause changes to cells. This light energy may be either “cold” (hence the name) or simply low-level. It is understood that the low levels of light energy help replenish levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), reduce inflammation, and decrease the transmission of pain.
Replenishing ATP is vital to help accelerate recovery because this molecule is responsible for carrying the energy between cells.
What Can I Expect During Veterinary Cold Laser Therapy?
At our veterinary clinic in Gaithersburg, our goal is to make your pet as comfortable as possible during the treatment process. Your pet will lie on a padded bed or blanket (depending on the areas receiving therapy) and a handheld device is used by the vet tech. To help ease any anxiety in your cat or dog, we recommend sitting next to them, holding their paw, and chatting with them and the vet tech. Also, everyone involved will be wearing protective eyewear to shield their eyes from the bright laser — including your pet!
Want To Learn More? Contact Our Gaithersburg Vets Who Provide Cold Laser Therapy!
In order to determine if Cold Laser Therapy is the best route of treatment for your cat or dog, we’ll provide an assessment of your pet’s condition and any recommended alternatives to CLT. At the end of the day, our intention is to ensure that your pet is getting proper care for any ailments that fall under the scope of laser treatment.
Questions or concerns? Remember, we’re only one call or click away. Visit here to get in touch with Goshen Animal Clinic.