Pet Laser Therapy in Cascade, IDPet laser therapy is one of the many treatments we offer for large and small animals at Cascade Vet Clinic. Laser treatments are an effective and non-invasive form of pain management and wound healing technology that has been proven to work in many different types of pets. If you have a pet that is recovering from an injury or surgery, or that suffers from a chronic pain condition that requires ongoing care, laser therapy may be a great choice for them.
Pet Laser Therapy Explained
During a pet laser therapy appointment, your veterinarian in Cascade uses a handheld laser to apply low-frequency light to an area that is causing your pet pain. The laser penetrates the cellular level to increase blood circulation. The result is immediate pain relief, increased cell oxygenation in the treatment area, and accelerated healing and cell repair.
Animals We Treat with Laser Therapy
We treat a wide variety of common pets, livestock, and large and small ruminants at Cascade Vet Clinic. Any of these types of animals can receive treatment with laser therapy, as directed by the veterinarian:
- Dogs and cats
- Horses
- Pigs
- Cattle
- Goats
- Elk
- Small ruminants
- Food animals
Common Uses of Pet Laser Therapy
One example where we use laser therapy on pets is immediately after routine surgery, such as spay and neuter procedures. By applying the laser light to the incision site, it can reduce pain and inflammation, and promote faster healing of the incision. Ear infections are another common ailment that can be treated with laser therapy. Fractures or broken bones are another example.
In addition to short-term injuries or ailments, pet laser therapy can be used for the management of chronic pain conditions. We treat many senior pets that are starting to struggle with arthritis or degenerative joint disease. The laser treatments reduce pain and inflammation, and increase range of motion, so the animal can be more flexible and comfortable with its day-to-day activities. Laser therapy helps pets that are living with painful conditions to enjoy a better quality of life.
Duration of a Laser Therapy Session
Laser therapy sessions are usually fairly quick treatments. We can have you and your pet in and out of the office in a short amount of time. The length of a session depends partly on how many areas of the body are being treated.
Arthritis laser sessions tend to take a bit longer, because the laser is applied to both hips and both knees, for example. This takes around 20 minutes. For a more isolated laser treatment, such as an ear infection, an incision site or a wound, the treatment usually takes less than 5 minutes.
Number of Laser Therapy Sessions Needed
The number of sessions that a pet needs will vary depending on the condition being treated. For chronic conditions like arthritis, we may recommend that you bring your pet in once every few weeks as their joints begin to stiffen or as they appear sore. Since arthritis cannot be “cured,” laser therapy sessions may be an ongoing treatment for the remainder of your pet’s life. For wound care, we might recommend that you bring your pet in every other day for the first few sessions. Once a wound or incision site has closed, the laser sessions will no longer need to be continued.
Risks and Side Effects of Pet Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is a safe and non-invasive form of treatment. No incisions are made for the treatment, and there is no risk of the laser burning or causing injury to your pet. There are no known side effects from using the treatment on animals. In fact, when it comes to some species of animals, there are no pharmaceutical pain relievers on the market. Laser therapy may therefore be the only viable type of pain relief for these animals.
How Long Until I See the Effects on My Pet?
Pet laser therapy often provides immediate pain relief in pets. It may not immediately relieve their pain, but they will start to feel better right away. You will start to notice gradual signs of improvement in their condition as well. For ear infections, the redness and inflammation will start to be reduced. Wound or incision sites will start to close and show signs of improving. With arthritic pets, owners will notice an improved range of motion and the pet will start to enjoy a more active lifestyle, because they are in less pain from their condition.
Contact Us for Pet Laser Therapy in Cascade, ID
If you have an animal suffering from a chronic pain condition and want to learn whether pet laser therapy can benefit them, contact our office in Cascade to schedule an appointment today!
