What is laser therapy?
Laser therapy is one of the treatments we provide at Donostia Veterinary Hospital in Guipúzcoa. Laser therapy is a drug-free, surgery-free treatment that has been used in veterinary medicine for decades. This treatment has been clinically proven to be effective in treating a number of health conditions in dogs, cats, and other animals.What Conditions Does Pet Laser Therapy Treat?
The most common conditions our veterinarians at Donostia Veterinary Hospital use laser therapy for are:
- Degenerative joint disease (arthritis)
- Back pain/disc disease
- Dermatologic disorders (e.g., hot spots, interdigital dermatitis, and lick granulomas)
- Post-surgical healing/pain relief
- Tendonitis
- Wounds
- Otitis externa (ear infections)
- Sprains and strains
How laser therapy works for your pet
Laser therapy uses an intense beam of light particles (photons) to safely and painlessly penetrate deeply into tissue and stimulate cells to heal. These photons stimulate mitochondria within the cells to produce ATP through a chemical change called “photo-bio-modulation.”
ATP provides the energy needed for the tissue to heal. This increase in ATP production reduces inflammation, provides pain relief, accelerates tissue repair and cell growth, improves blood flow to the site of injury, allows for faster wound healing, and can improve nerve function. Another great feature of laser therapy is that there are no known side effects, and most pets experience positive results immediately.
What to expect during laser therapy
The laser light is delivered to the areas of the body in need of treatment using a non-invasive hand piece. During treatment at Donostia Veterinary Hospital, pets typically experience a warm, soothing sensation that’s similar to that of a massage. Most sessions are completed in less than 10 minutes. However, the amount and frequency of treatments used are determined by the severity and type of condition.
