The importance of human-animal bonds has been documented throughout history and across cultures, so it’s no wonder why people value their companion animals so highly. They want the best care for them, especially as they age, so they review the quality of the veterinary medicine they get for their pet very closely. Unfortunately, many companion dogs begin to suffer from arthritis, and although the condition cannot be cured, pain management for dogs can be highly rewarding for owners as well as veterinarians.
Veterinarians can promote arthritis relief for dogs by suggesting the following to owners:
Beyond these options, low-level laser therapy has become an emerging and promising treatment modality for a variety of medical conditions – including dog arthritis pain relief. It promotes improved clinical outcomes by leveraging non-drug, non-toxic techniques, which many pet owners find relieving.
Laser therapy refers to a form of light to stimulate energy production. Pet laser therapy is effective for pain reduction and healing due to its unique physical properties and ability to stimulate injured cells to heal at an accelerated pace. Pet laser therapy can help block pain signals from being sent to the brain, which ultimately works to decrease nerve sensitivity. It helps to resolve inflammation and does not involve the use of medications. Veterinary laser therapy is non-invasive, completely drug-free, safe and effective.
With respect to dog arthritis treatment, veterinarians can recommend that owners start pet laser therapy two to three times each week, and then decrease the number of sessions gradually. Beyond arthritis, other conditions that can be treated with pet laser therapy include:
Veterinarians apply the laser over the painful area for just a few moments. In-office procedures can be done quickly with the powerful ACTIVet PRO clinical laser, or owners can rent a My Pet Laser for home use to avoid clinical visits with their pets. Pet laser therapy has no known side effects – it is considered safe and effective . Laser treatment for pets is completely pain-free and provides almost immediate comfort. The animal will feel either a gentle and soothing warmth, tingling or no sensation at all. Anxiety and tension tend to dissipate quickly during pet laser therapy.
In 2018, Multi Radiance launched the ACTIVet PRO LaserShower, a product designed for larger animals, like horses and larger dog breeds. It is a cordless, portable laser therapy system that delivers treatment to a greater surface area – more than 7 times the coverage area compared to standard emitters. The size and power of the ACTIVet PRO LaserShower help light reach a larger surface area without having to move the emitter, which helps avoid excessive reactive oxygen species that could lead to phototoxicity and apoptosis. Other features include:
Despite its popularity, pet laser treatment is not offered at all veterinary practices, so providing this service to your clientele can give you a competitive advantage while helping your pet patients feel pain relief faster. For more information about laser therapy in veterinary medicine, request The Veterinary Pillars Paper.