It might surprise you to know that our team at Heritage Veterinary Hospital in Creve Coeur, uses cutting-edge technology to provide pain relief for pets. Cold laser therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy, is a non-invasive, drug-free, zero side effect treatment for pain relief and healing injuries.
The Use of Cold Laser Therapy for Pets
Cold laser therapy can be used to treat several different health conditions. Before choosing cold laser therapy for your pet, it is important that your pet receives a thorough examination by a veterinarian to develop an appropriate treatment plan. Cold laser therapy can be used to treat the following conditions:
- arthritis
- ligament injuries
- muscle regeneration
- healing wounds
- chronic pain management
- post-surgery pain
- inflammation due to chronic ear infections
How Does Cold Laser Therapy Work?
Low-level lasers emit light energy into the affected area. This light energy causes photobiomodulation, which encourages rebuilding on a cellular level. This rapid regeneration of the cells lowers the inflammation of the damaged areas, relieves pain, increases mobility, and promotes faster healing.
The effects of cold laser therapy are cumulative. For this reason, after determining if your pet is a good fit for the treatment, our veterinarians will schedule a series of appointments for the therapy. Ideally, we will begin with three sessions per week, and depending on your pet's response, we will scale back the visits to once per week or once every few weeks.
What You Can Expect During a Cold Laser Therapy Session
The therapy sessions are very short, lasting only 10 to 20 minutes depending on your pet's condition. During the treatment, you, your pet, and a technician wear a protective covering to protect your eyes from the laser. Once settled in and comfortable, the tech will slowly wave the laser wand over the injury site. In most cases, animals find the warmth of the laser soothing and may even experience some pain relief right away.
Schedule a Cold Laser Therapy Appointment in Creve Coeur, MO
Your pet's health history and other factors will determine whether he or she is a good candidate for the treatment. However, since the therapy is a drug-free, non-invasive treatment with no side-effects, it is a wonderful alternative for most pets that are suffering from injuries and chronic pain. If you would like to know more about cold laser therapy for your furry friend, call our team at Heritage Veterinary Hospital today at (314) 878-8454 to speak with one of our veterinarians.