naturalpet
LASER POWER
21ST CENTURY PET THERAPY OPTIONS
by Dr. Matthew Heller P
et owners around the country are discovering a new wrinkle in an existing technology to deliver both pain relief and healing for their furry, feathery or scaly companions. Laser technology has been used in the veterinary field for many years for surgery. Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Class IV laser therapy to deliver non-invasive re- lief for pain and inflammation, as well. Treatments benefit pets suffering from arthritis, back injuries, acute sprains or spasms and dermatological hot spots and wounds, plus enhance post-opera- tive rehabilitation.
How It Works The science is fairly straightforward. In a Class IV laser therapy session, a con- centrated beam of light emanates from a wand that is slowly moved over the ani- mal’s body, and several processes occur that accelerate healing and pain relief. Effects include an increase in circulation and metabolism, stimulation of nerve cells and a boost in collagen produc- tion, all of which facilitate wound heal- ing. The associated production of oxy- gen encourages cells to regrow, while a release of endorphins stimulates cells to heal more rapidly, reducing pain. Unlike pharmaceutical, non-steroi-
22 San Diego Edition
dal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) that provide relief from pain and inflammation, laser therapy does not pose serious side effects for the liver or kidneys, nor is it painful or typically require sedation. Because it promotes cellular activity and increases blood flow, laser therapy should not be used on tumors or pre-surgical sites where it could be detrimental.
Frequency, Duration
established to regulate the power of the laser (typically from six to 12 watts). The desired wattage is often determined by the size of the area to be treated, along with the nature of the injury and the pet’s coat type and body weight. As with most medical therapies, one size does not fit all. Initially, a laser therapy session will begin with a thorough physical examination and ra- diographs, if indicated, to ascertain the extent of the injury or condition, and develop an individualized plan to return a pet to a heightened state of wellness. For instance, a pet suffering from
and Intensity The duration and fre- quency of a therapeutic laser session depends on the type of injury or ill- ness being treated. A cer- tified operator will select a preprogrammed protocol,
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degenerative arthritis that is experiencing great discomfort in walking may initially be treated for five to 10 minutes every two or three days for a few weeks. As the pet’s situation improves, the frequency of the sessions may decrease to once weekly, and then every two weeks, until the pet receives a laser treatment on a monthly basis. For chronic conditions, laser therapy may not cure the pet, but it will help alleviate its discomfort. For more acute situations, such as a hot spot or a sprain, the animal may be treated for three to five minutes every three days over a 10-day period. A pet that has recently undergone inva- sive surgery, such as an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament, or connective knee tissue) repair or tumor removal, may be treated just minutes after the sutures are closed, to promote circula- tion, stimulate
nerve cells
and boost collagen production, reducing
healing time.
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