Laser therapy for cats is one of our chronic pain management services which are gaining in popularity as customers see the long-term benefits for their pets. In this article, our vet Rayana (pictured) talks about what it is and which conditions it is effective for, as well as looking at how it has helped Bilius, an 11-year-old domestic short hair cat.
What is laser therapy ?
At Aldgate Veterinary Practice we are always looking for new ways to care for your pet. Medicine and technology are constantly advancing and we pride ourselves on staying at the forefront of the best medical and surgical care.
Veterinary laser therapy for cats is a non-invasive, pain-free and drug-free option for a variety of conditions. It can safely be performed alongside existing medical and surgical treatments. Laser therapy works by a process called photobiostimulation – deep-penetrating light promotes a chain of chemical reactions in the body’s cells. This process helps relieve pain through the release of endorphins and stimulates injured cells to heal at an accelerated pace. The faster your pet heals, the better they feel!
Why choose laser therapy?
Some cats don’t tolerate oral medications, so laser therapy is a safe and effective option to treat their pain. Signs of pain can be difficult to detect in cats as they are very good at masking it. Changes in behaviour that may indicate your cat is not feeling themselves include:
- Decrease in normal activity
- Increased or decreased appetite
- Decreased desire to jump up on surfaces they normally jump onto
- Slowness to get up and difficulty lying down
- Less or sometimes more affectionate towards you or other pets
- May cry or move away from petting
- Do not want to be picked up and handled as usual
- Limping
- Decrease in grooming habits and disturbances in normal toilet habits
How does laser therapy provide pain relief?
Laser treatments provide pain relief in three ways. Firstly, by reducing inflammation through vasodilation (opening of blood vessels), and by activating the lymphatic drainage system, which drains swollen areas. As a result, swelling caused by bruising or inflammation is reduced which alleviates pain. Secondly, by stimulating nerve cells that block pain signals from being transmitted to the brain. And thirdly, by stimulating the production of high levels of endorphins which are pain killing compounds naturally produced by the body.
What are the other benefits of laser therapy?
Aside from pain relief, some other important benefits of veterinary laser therapy include:
- Improved nerve function
- Faster wound healing
- Accelerated tissue repair and cell growth
What conditions can be treated with laser therapy?
Laser therapy can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including:
- Muscle, ligament and tendon injuries
- Post-surgical and soft tissue trauma
- Back pain
- Nerve disease
- Ear Infections
- Dental disease
- Degenerative joint disease
Bilius’s story
Bilius enjoys monthly laser sessions to help relieve arthritic pain in his left knee and back. Before starting treatment, Bilius had not been as active around the house – he wasn’t jumping and playing as much and was preferring to sleep. He is normally an affectionate and happy boy but had been showing signs of discomfort when his back legs were groomed. He is now more comfortable, more playful at home and often falls asleep during his monthly laser treatments (pictured above)!
Above: Bilius does his meerkat move, which would not be possible before laser therapy.
How long does a laser therapy treatment take?
The time needed for the treatment depends upon the condition and severity of the problem. We use laser therapy on wounds to aid in pain management and faster healing. We normally recommend three treatments over the course of seven to 10 days for these cases. These sessions tend to last five to 10 minutes. However, with more chronic or severe pain, we will recommend a longer series of treatments. Our veterinarians will tailor the length of the series based upon your pet’s condition and their response. For example, for chronic back pain, we may recommend four to six weekly treatments. Some chronic conditions such as arthritis may require ongoing treatments. Like Bilius, if your pet has responded well to the laser, we may be able to keep their pain under control with monthly treatments. Laser therapy for pets is cumulative, so each additional treatment facilitates a greater improvement in your pet’s condition.
Are there any side effects associated with laser therapy?
Laser therapy has no known side effects and is considered both safe and effective across the veterinary industry. However, we do not recommend laser therapy in pregnant animals or those suffering from cancerous conditions.
How do I schedule a laser therapy appointment for my pet?
If you would like more information on laser therapy and whether it is a suitable option for your pet, please call or email us using the links below.
This article is specifically about laser therapy for cats, though this has very similar benefits for other animals too. We will explore laser therapy in dogs in a future article.
