Laser treatments may sound like a far out technology, but light-based therapy’s many applications, which range from superficial (i.e., skin) to deep tissue and bone, have been used in human and equine medicine for many years. Family Veterinary Care of Oakdale is proud to offer this safe, non-invasive, low-stress therapy and its numerous benefits to our canine and feline patients.

Laser therapy for pets explained

You don’t have to be a physicist to understand laser therapy, although that wouldn’t hurt. All jokes aside, we’ll break this complicated topic into layman’s terms and let the benefits speak for themselves.

The word laser is actually an acronym that stands for: 

  • Light 
  • Amplification [by]
  • Stimulated 
  • Emission [of] 
  • Radiation

In simple terms, the laser emits a specific wavelength of invisible light in a concentrated (i.e., focused) beam. When applied to living tissue, this light is absorbed, and photobiomodulation—a series of actions and biochemical reactions that accelerate normal cellular functions (i.e., healing, growth, and repair)—is initiated. The laser beam’s power, energy, and intensity can be adjusted based on the target tissue and condition to decrease or increase depth of penetration. This allows the laser therapy unit to be used safely on fragile surface tissues, such as skin and gingiva (i.e., the gums), as well as deep muscles and rigid bones.

Laser therapy health benefits for pets

The energy from the laser that stimulates the targeted cells can act like a jump start to damaged or altered tissues. Physiological benefits to laser therapy include:

  • Decreased pain
  • Increased circulation (i.e., blood and lymph flow)
  • Decreased inflammation and swelling
  • Accelerated waste and byproduct removal
  • Rapid cellular reproduction
  • Muscle relaxation
  • Endorphin release (i.e., feel-good hormones)

Laser therapy practical advantages for pets and owners

Laser therapy’s other invaluable advantages include the administration method. Unlike other therapies that require physical manipulation, hair shaving, sedation, or prolonged treatment times, laser therapy is a convenient and low-stress treatment. Pets and owners appreciate laser’s convenience and low-stress features, which include:

  • Short treatment sessions — Each body area treatment takes three to five minutes.
  • Minimal or no-contact treatment — Laser settings can be adjusted to perform touchless treatments, which are ideal for sensitive pets and contaminated tissue.
  • Relaxing atmosphere — Pets are provided with a comfy place where they can lie down and relax during the naturally calming treatments.
  • Soothing warmth — The laser creates a gentle warming effect that feels like gentle sunshine. Your pet’s laser therapist will keep the handpiece in motion at all times to prevent accidental overheating or burns.
  • Awake treatments — Pets generally tolerate therapy well, which most commonly can be administered during outpatient appointments.
  • Positive distractions — Pets can receive food treats, petting, and praise during their laser therapy session to help them stay calm and still.

Laser therapy applications for pets

At Family Veterinary Care of Oakdale, we use and recommend laser therapy for a large number of chronic and acute conditions, including:

  • Arthritis
  • Surgical incision healing
  • Wound healing
  • Tendon and ligament injuries
  • Dermatitis and skin irritations
  • Chronic ear infections
  • Gingivitis and feline stomatitis
  • Post-dental extraction
  • Post-operative orthopedic repairs

New laser therapy applications are being discovered all the time. Our veterinarians stay up to date on the latest clinical applications to ensure we provide your pet with the most innovative, effective care.

Laser therapy for dogs

Laser therapy is an excellent healing modality for dogs of all shapes, sizes, and personalities. At Family Veterinary Care of Oakdale, we frequently find that laser therapy is a useful treatment option for dogs who may be fearful, aggressive, or sensitive to restraint or physical manipulation, and to treat highly painful areas (e.g., inflamed and infected ears, recent wounds). The laser’s adjustable settings allow us to perform both direct contact and non-contact treatment sessions. 

Laser therapy for cats

The laser is a purr-fect therapeutic treatment option for cats—especially because safe, effective long-term pain control options for cats are limited. The laser’s non-pharmacological, noninvasive nature makes the therapy a phenomenal option for managing feline arthritis pain and inflammation. Although the cat must be transported to Family Veterinary Care of Oakdale for treatments, many owners consider the treatment worthwhile, rather than struggling at home to medicate their cat. 

Plus, cats appear to enjoy the laser’s soothing warmth—they probably think they’re basking in their favorite sunny spot!

Laser therapy treatment packages for pets

If our veterinarian recommends laser therapy for your pet, we will tailor a treatment plan and frequency for their specific condition and needs. These plans may vary from a few sessions for acute (i.e., sudden), mild conditions or regular appointments for chronic (i.e., continuous, long-term) issues. For most pets, the treatment protocol will include an induction phase (i.e., two to three treatments per week), followed by a tapered maintenance phase (e.g., once weekly, every two to four weeks), as long as positive results are still appreciated. 

To ensure all pets can enjoy laser therapy’s incredible benefits—and be more economical for their devoted owners—we’ve bundled our most popular treatment frequencies into multi-session packages, so you can prepay and save. Contact our team for full pricing details. 

Laser therapy may seem out of this world, but its positive effects are undeniably real. See for yourself—schedule a laser therapy consultation with your pet’s veterinarian at Family Veterinary Care of Oakdale.