Laser Therapy Reduces Pain and Speeds Healing
North Fork Veterinary Clinic is excited to offer our patients Companion Laser Therapy. Laser therapy provides a non-invasive, pain-free, surgery-free, drug-free treatment which 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 within hours 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?
Simply put, it provides relief. As the laser is administered, your pet will relax and enjoy the treatment. The almost immediate relief of pain will allow your pet to be comfortable and any anxiety that your pet initially experiences will dissipate.
Occasionally, angry cats will start to purr and canine companions will actually fall asleep during their therapy session. Frequently, after therapy, we hear: “He’s acting like a puppy again” or “She can actually jump onto the chair again.” Pain relief is provided in just a few minutes of therapy and that alone improves the quality of life for your companion.
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
Contact North Fork Vet today to schedule an appointment or obtain additional information: 530-888-8788
Laser Treatment Testimonial:
My name is Wendy Woodward and I recently brought Willie, my almost 12 yr old, 80 lb dog in to see Dr. Chandler. Willie was suffering from 3 blown discs in his mid-back. We had tried Prednisone along with pain killers and rest for a period of 6 weeks without positive results.
It was recommended by the staff that Willie see Dr. Chandler for a different type of healing therapy. I was reluctant at first because I knew very little about laser therapy or acupuncture, which are her specialties. With no other options, we met Dr. Chandler and with her recommendation we started laser treatments. Along with every other day laser therapy, Willie was given Gabapentin and a small dose of Meloxicam daily. Dr. Chandler also had me doing a series of messages on Willie’s back and on specific pressure points throughout the day. I saw positive results after 3 laser treatments! He is back to his normal “happy go lucky” self and is able to squat when he poops.
I have just purchased another 6 laser treatments to be administered twice weekly for 2 weeks. Then once weekly for several more weeks. He is still on the Gabapentin but I hope to be able to take him off all pills in the next few weeks. I would highly recommend laser therapy for any animal suffering from pain. It seems to help the recovery process and healing injuries faster than many traditional methods.
Thank you Dr. Chandler and the incredible staff at North Fork Vet for your caring and kindness!
Wendy Woodward
2/4/19
