Pet Laser Therapy

The beneficial effects of laser light on various tissues were first recognized nearly forty years ago. Since then, there have been thousands of studies documenting the positive effects laser light has on different types of cells, tissue, and disorders in both humans and animals. Simply put, laser therapy uses photons, or light energy, which is sent deep into tissues without causing any damage. These photons are absorbed by the mitochondria of each cell – the part of the cell that is responsible for energy production. This induces a chemical change called “photo-bio-modulation,” which increases the production of ATP in the cell. ATP is the fuel cells need for repair and rejuvenation; when a cell is injured, such as through inflammation, injury or surgery, for example, ATP production can be significantly reduced. Increased ATP production leads to healthier cells, healthier tissue, and markedly improved healing times. In certain conditions, the use of the therapeutic laser has been shown to cause the body to release endorphins, a natural pain killer produced by the body.

Further, laser treatments are associated with increased blood flow, which can help to reduce inflammation. Finally, the light energy safely kills bacteria. Collectively, the effects of the therapeutic laser allow us to improve the quality of life of many patients with chronic conditions, often leading to a reduction in the amount of medications that are required to keep our patients comfortable.

1. Arthritis: there are huge benefits of the therapeutic laser to patients suffering from arthritis, including a reduction in inflammation, increased tissue healing, and the release of endorphins – natural painkillers that are produced by the body. We can notice significant improvement sometimes even after a single treatment! Often times, the laser also helps to reduce the cost of pain medications, reducing the chance of potential side-effects.
2. Ear Infections: the therapeutic laser can be hugely beneficial to patients suffering from chronic ear infections. Not only does it reduce inflammation and provide relief of chronic pain and irritation, but it also provides antibacterial effects. The reduction in swelling allows ear medications to work more proficiently.
3. Post-Surgery: the use of the laser post-surgery can greatly improve postoperative comfort through the reduction of inflammation and increased healing times.
4. Wounds: wound healing can be dramatically affected with the use of the laser as it not only speeds up healing time, sometimes significantly but also provides a natural antibacterial effect.

The therapeutic laser is free of any negative side-effects, with proper safety precautions. If emitted directly into the eye, or if light energy is reflected in the eye, it can cause damage to the retina. Therefore, both our staff and patients wear special safety goggles to ensure there is no chance of this happening. If you ask us, the goggles (or doggles for our furry-friends) are pretty stylish, too!