What Is Laser Therapy? 
Laser therapy is the use of specific wavelengths of light (red and near-infrared) to create
therapeutic effects.  

How Does it Work?
The light from the laser interacts with tissue at the cellular level to increase the
metabolic activity in the cell and increase the production of cell energy.  

What are the Physical Effects of Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy increases the circulation of the treated area and creates an environment
suitable for healing.  Inflammation is reduced, less scar tissue is formed, and tissue repair
and cell growth are accelerated. All of this means that pain is reduced and range of
motion is increased.

Are There Different Types of Laser Therapy?
Yes, there are several types of laser therapy dependent on the wavelengths utilized.  We
utilize what is considered a Class IV unit made by Companion. Their website is:
http://www.litecure.com/companion/ . It is more powerful than a Class III, yet not
designed for cutting tissue like surgical lasers.  Some people refer to it as “cold laser” or
“light therapy” but we prefer the term therapeutic laser as we feel it is more descriptive.  
     
What Conditions Are Treated with Laser Therapy?
Wow, there are a lot of conditions in which laser therapy can be useful.  The most well-
known, however, is for osteoarthritis. Muscle sprains, joint pain, ligament sprains, hip
dysplasia, bite wounds, & skin infections such as hot spots will all benefit from laser
therapy, as do surgical sites.

 Why Should I Try Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy is noninvasive & a drug-free treatment option. In some cases it is used as a
stand-alone treatment modality, but it also works great with other treatments such as
chiropractics, rehabilitation, and/or medications.

 Is it safe?
Yes – not only have many studies shown the effectiveness of laser therapy, but also its
safety.  This is one of the great things about the treatment.  Damage to the eyes if the
beam is looked at by the naked eye can occur, which is why we do insist that all patients,
operators & bystanders wear protective eyewear.  All of our operators have been trained
in laser therapy and adhere to the strictest protocols.    

What Happens During a Laser Treatment?
The operator uses a hand-held probe to apply laser energy to targeted areas, similar to
that done in an ultrasound.  The probe emits a red light to show where the light is being
delivered, as well as a beeping noise to let us know the unit is operating correctly.  Your
pet will feel the sensation of the probe moving along the site.  Because this isn’t painful
(and for some pets is even soothing), sedation is not required.  For some pets a holder is
needed which can be you, the owner (we do ask that holders and observers be 16 years of
age or older), or one of our nurses.

How Often Will I Need to Bring My Pet In?
For chronic conditions like arthritis we recommend an initial phase of three treatments a
week (every other day) for 2 weeks then a transition phase being twice a week for 2 weeks
and ultimately a maintenance phase of once every 2-4 weeks.  The goal is to taper down to
the fewest number of sessions needed to keep your pet feeling better. For conditions
that we hope heel completely with the use of laser (wounds for instance), we can typically
treat 3 times the first week & be done.  Your veterinarian will prescribe a protocol best
suited for your pet to maximize the results seen.  

How Long Will It Take for My Pet to Feel Better?
This depends on the specific condition being treated, the nature of the condition
(severity, how long it was going on for), and your individual pet.  For chronic conditions like
arthritis, we expect to see some improvement after 3-4 sessions.  This typically continues
to improve to a significant improvement after 6-8 sessions.  Please note that some pets
may initially feel a little worse after the first treatment as we’re initiating the body to be
more active & heal, and also massaging the tissue during treatment. We also must be
careful that for those pets that feel better we don’t let them overdo it!

What Does It Cost?
If your pet has a chronic condition that will require several treatments, we recommend
buying a package of sessions.  By buying multiple sessions you will receive a discount -  10%
off 3 visits, 15% off 6 visits & 20% off 12 visits.  We also offer specials to those wanting
to try laser therapy & these are published on our social media sites below.  In addition,
senior citizens and military personnel can receive a 10% discount with id.