Your pets are part of your family. When they are in pain, you want them to receive the best possible care. West Park Animal Hospital is a comprehensive animal healthcare facility based in Cleveland Ohio. We serve West Park, North Olmsted, Berea, Rocky River, Lakewood, Fairview Park, and Cleveland with innovative treatments like pet laser therapy, providing your pet with the relief they need.

What Is Pet Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy is an advanced veterinary technique for pet rehabilitation. It uses light waves of a specific wavelength to alter cellular physiology through a process called photobiomodulation. During this process, light is absorbed by cellular components; helping to block pain signals transmitted by the cells to the brain. Photobiomodulation is typically used for vasodilation, which widens blood vessels and increases blood flow. This provides a variety of benefits:

• Improves oxygen absorption, helping cells heal more efficiently
• Reduces swelling and inflammation
• Promotes growth and repair
• Increases endorphin release, reducing pain

Laser therapy is quickly gaining popularity in veterinary medicine. Our caring team at West Park Animal Hospital has experience with this innovative treatment, ensuring a safe and pleasant experience for all pets we treat.

How Laser Therapy is Administered

Most laser therapy procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. The length of the session depends on the condition being treated. Small wounds may take a matter of minutes, while multiple joints or a full-body treatment might take closer to 30 minutes to complete.

During a treatment session, your pet will not be sedated. They will instead be allowed to rest comfortably. The registered veterinary technician will slowly move a handheld wand back and forth over the tissue being treated. The wand produces laser light at a specific frequency designed to penetrate the affected area. Different wavelengths are used to reach tissue at varying depths. Your pet will feel a warm, pleasant sensation that many find relaxing.

Open wounds or surgical incisions often require daily treatment until healed. Chronic conditions, meanwhile, may be treated weekly at first. We will gradually extend the intervals between treatments until your pet is ready to begin a long-term maintenance plan.

Conditions We Treat with Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is a viable means of treating pain and inflammation. This makes it effective for a variety of conditions accompanied by these symptoms. Conditions commonly treated with laser therapy include:

• Arthritis: Over time, cartilage in joints will break down. The resulting pain can impact your pet’s quality of life. Laser therapy is a useful tool for senior pet care to relieve pain and stiffness.
• Orthopedic procedures: Laser therapy is often used after orthopedic surgeries to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and accelerate the healing process, helping your pet recover more comfortably and quickly.
• Sprains and strains: Tendon and ligament injuries occur in pets just as readily as in humans. When they do, laser therapy is an effective way to relieve pain and encourage healing.
• Surgical incisions: After surgery, the incision site can become itchy or painful. Laser therapy helps reduce your pet’s discomfort until they have fully healed.
• Traumatic injuries: Laser therapy is also useful for treating bruises, fractures, lacerations, and other types of wounds caused by accidents or trauma.

This treatment is most useful for pets that cannot benefit from more standard treatments. Pets with liver disease, for example, may not be able to take pain control medications. Older pets with diminished organ function may also struggle. In addition, cats and smaller pets have limited options for approved medication. Laser therapy provides a relief they cannot enjoy otherwise.

Pet Laser Therapy at West Park Animal Hospital

If your pet is in pain and needs relief, trust West Park Animal Hospital. We have extensive experience and a deep commitment to providing the best possible care for your pets.

West Park Animal Hospital provides a comprehensive list of veterinary services. Continuity of care is important to us, meaning that emergency care and general healthcare are both offered at the same facility. Pets in need of urgent treatment, such as for traumatic wounds or sprains, can receive all the care they need without being moved between locations. We also have extended hours, because we understand that emergencies can happen at any time.

Our team is talented in administering the most recent treatment techniques, including laser therapy. They are also incredibly compassionate and treat each patient with respect. You can feel confident that your companion will be in good hands.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you are interested in learning more about our pet laser therapy service, reach out to West Park Animal Hospital. Based in Cleveland, OH, we serve the surrounding areas, including West Park, North Olmsted, Berea, Rocky River, Lakewood, and Fairview Park. Contact us to find out more about our services or to schedule an appointment.

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