At Pet Releaf, we love having the opportunity to educate pet parents about different holistic practices when it comes to your best pet companion’s health. Knowing that there are other alternative methods out there can sometimes be relieving for pet parents who are looking for an all-natural approach for their pets. If you’ve never heard about cold laser therapy for pets, Dr. Diana Drumm is highlighting what cold laser therapy is, how it works, and what common pet ailments it can be beneficial for. From skin issues to internal medicine, cold laser therapy can be beneficial for multiple pet health concerns. Dr. Drumm currently practices at her completely holistic clinic, The Animal Healing Center located in San Diego, California where they provide cold laser therapy for pets.

If you’ve been curious about how cold laser therapy for pets works and how it can benefit your pet’s health, read below!

Written by: Diana Drumm, DVM, CVA, CVCP

In contrast to surgical and cosmetic lasers that produce thermo-destructive energy, “cold lasers” produce no harm to cells or tissues.

The nature of laser light has several facets: wavelength, coherency, power, and frequency. The light energy penetrates into cells and reacts with receptors on the cell surface called chromophores. In a process similar to sunlight on chlorophyll during photosynthesis in plants, this light energy stimulates mammalian cells’ photons to react, healing them at a mitochondrial level.

Not all cold lasers are the same. Their effects depend on the wavelength of light emitted. It may be visible spectrum light which animal cells are accustomed to, ultraviolet which is better at killing virus and bacteria, or even infrared. Many cold lasers can be programed to pulse at various frequencies (how many times per second or how frequently the light energy flashes) to target specific tissues or organs. It is important for your pets’ laser therapist to be familiar with all these aspects and the capabilities of the laser they are using, for it to be optimally effective.

FDA approved non-invasive coherent light lasers, or “cold lasers” have been used in medicine for over 30 years with multiple clinical studies demonstrating their medical efficacy and safety

These studies have shown that many acute and chronic conditions may be improved or eliminated with the use of lasers. Some examples are:

Musculoskeletal and Neurologic injuries/Disease:

  • Arthritis, joint pain, elbow and hip dysplasia
  • Herniated and bulging disks in the neck and back, muscle spasm and nerve root pain
  • Partial cruciate ligament tears, facial nerve paralysis, spondylosis, degenerative myelopathy

Skin issues/Disease:

  • Wound healing, post-operative incisions, hot spots
  • Lick granulomas, eczema, dermatitis, stomatitis
  • Ear infections

Internal medicine:

  • Liver disease, kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease
  • Epilepsy, mega esophagus, pancreatitis
  • Vestibular disease, incontinence, urinary tract infections, cardiac issues.

Cold laser therapy is an excellent alternative to for pets who don’t tolerate pharmaceuticals, or handling for other physical therapy modalities very well.

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