By Dr. Bruce Goldman, Owner & Veterinarian
Football season is back in full force. Saturday’s and Sunday’s are now filled with tailgates, touchdowns and unfortunately injuries to NCAA and NFL athletes every weekend. Common injuries include pulled muscles, sprained ankles and sometime torn ligaments. While dogs are not out on the field tackling quarterbacks and catching passes, they can suffer from the exact same injuries by jumping from a bed or a couch, fetching a ball or chasing a squirrel!
If you notice an awkward landing, limping or leg pain, give your veterinarian a call to get the proper treatment. This may include anti-inflammatories or laser therapy, which has been a proven additional tool in providing patient relief for decades in both human and animal pain management.
How does laser therapy work?
Laser therapy is done with a handheld laser against the targeted problematic area on your pet’s body. Therapeutic light waves from the laser stimulate a chemical reaction called “photobiomodulation”, which increases cellular metabolism. This stimulates blood circulation and regenerates cells, which reduces inflammation and promotes pain reduction and faster healing. Laser therapy can also reduce scar tissue formation.
There is no surgery or medication required for laser therapy. Pets feel no pain from laser treatment, only a warming sensation around the problematic area. Sessions last for a few minutes and we find that most pets relax and enjoy the therapy, with some even falling asleep during the process!
Laser Therapy can be used to treat:
- Sore hips
- Sore joints
- Arthritis
- Ear Problems
- Inflammation
- Post-surgical sites
- Traumatic wounds
- Spays
- Neuters
How many sessions does my pet need?
Relief is sometimes immediate, while certain conditions may require multiple laser therapy sessions. Your veterinarian will determine the optimal number of sessions for your pet. We have seen some pets benefit with one or two sessions, while others can benefit from 10+ sessions for optimal healing.
Make no mistake – our standard pain management practices are highly effective as we provide the highest standard of care for our patients. Huffard Animal Hospital has always prided itself on being a full-service state of the art medical and surgical facility geared to providing the highest quality medical and preventative services possible. Laser therapy is one of many options available to our patients that can speed up the healing process, reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Please talk to one of our educated staff members or your veterinarian during your next appointment.
