Laser therapy reduces pain and speeds healing

Northwood Animal Hospital is excited to offer our clients Companion Animal Health "Laser Therapy". Laser therapy provides a non-invasive, pain-free, surgery-free, drug-free treatment that is used to treat a variety of conditions and can be performed in conjunction with existing treatment protocols. Relief and/or improvement is often noticed with continuous treatments depending on the condition and your pet’s response. Whether your pet is rehabilitating from trauma or injury, healing from wounds, or simply aging, your companion can benefit from this innovative approach to treating pain.

Applications for Laser Therapy include:

• Treatment of arthritis, degenerative joint disease, or hip dysplasia
• General pain management (sprains, strains, and stiffness)
• Post-surgery pain (spays, neuters, declaws, and other surgeries)
• Skin problems (hot spots, lick granulomas, infections)
• Dental procedures
• Fractures and wounds (bites, abrasions, and lesions)
• Ear infections

How does it work?

Laser therapy stimulates the body to heal from within. Non-thermal photons of light are administered to the body for about 3 to 8 minutes and absorbed by the injured cells. The cells are then stimulated and respond with a higher rate of metabolism. This results in relief from pain, increased circulation, reduced inflammation, and an acceleration of the healing process.

What can my pet expect during a laser therapy treatment session?

Before we can begin continuous treatment, we will need to schedule a consultation with one of our Veterinarians, along with x-rays if necessary, in order to ascertain whether cold laser therapy is the right treatment choice for your pet. During the a regular treatment session itself, the laser wand is applied to the area being treated for 5 to 20 minutes (based on our Veterinarian's recommendation).

The effects of cold laser therapy are cumulative. Treatments should and need to be done at the frequency recommended by your veterinarian for the best results.

What are the benefits of laser therapy for dogs and cats?

Laser therapy has a variety of benefits for pets. This treatment can:

• Reduce pain and swelling
• Speed the healing process
• Enhance circulation
• Decrease nerve sensitivity
• No negative side effects
• No sedation is required (In most cases, but varies per pet)
  
• No need to shave or clip the treatment area (In most cases, but varies per pet)
  

What are the signs that my pet can benefit from Companion Laser Therapy?

Many of our laser therapy patients are older animals with musculoskeletal ailments. Some signs that your senior companion is experiencing pain or discomfort are:

• Abnormal sitting or lying posture
• Circling multiple times before lying down
• Restlessness
• Whining, groaning or other vocalizations
• Limping, unable to get up or lie down
• Difficulty getting into car or down stairs
• Lack of grooming
• Won’t wag tail
• Licking or biting area
• Lack of appetite
• Trembling

Watch the video below or contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our Veterinarians to make sure Laser Therapy is the best option for your pet.