You are probably familiar with laser therapy in human medicine, but did you know that your pets can benefit from it too? Barbara Braziel, a veterinarian at Country Friends Veterinary Clinic, shares about the benefits of laser therapy for your pets.

Whether pain is chronic or acute, or due to injury or aging changes, it directly diminishes the quality of life. This is true for us and our pets. We take aspirin or other pain medications and hopefully get some relief. For our pets the options are limited and side effects include GI upset, bleeding issues and liver damage. There is another option that is now available at Country Friends, Laser Therapy. Laser Therapy uses the energy of light, in the non-visible range, to heal cells and reduce inflammation at the cellular level. Similar to photosynthesis, the light energy is used to increase the activity of specific functions of the cells to increase metabolism and increase healing activity. It also stimulates the release of endorphins which reduce pain immediately.

Some of the conditions effectively treated with Laser Therapy include ear infections, arthritic pain, lacerations, surgery incisions, pain from fractures, muscle soreness and hip dysplasia. It also helps heal the sores and skin infections from allergies and relieve the itching.

When starting treatment with Laser Therapy sessions are initially daily for 2 or 3 days. As symptoms reduce, the frequency of therapy gradually decreases to 2 – 3 times weekly, then once weekly or less for as long as is needed. Chronic conditions, such as arthritis pain and hip dysplasia are usually treated indefinitely once or twice monthly. The final protocol is determined by each individual pet’s needs.

We a proud to be the only veterinary clinic in Rockwall County to offer laser therapy. If Laser Therapy sounds like an option that would help your pet, call Country Friends for information or set up a consultation appointment today.