Laser therapy has so many different uses around the clinic that chances are, you haven’t discovered them all yet. Here are 5 instances where you may not always think about incorporating laser therapy, but should definitely consider it:

Snake/Spider Bites

Veterinarians in areas where snake and spider bites are a common reason for office visits may already be familiar with this one, but many don’t immediately think of using laser therapy for this application. While laser cannot replace the use of an anti-venom, it can drastically reduce the associated pain and swelling. It can also help to reduce tissue sloughing and necrosis when applied shortly after the bite occurs, and prevent development of additional complications.

Intra-operatively

Many clinics routinely provide laser therapy treatments following surgical procedures, but far fewer use laser during surgery. Applying laser therapy intra-operatively* allows for direct treatment of intra-abdominal incisions (once bleeding has ceased) to encourage faster healing, while encouraging less pronounced and stronger scar tissue on the primary incision. It can also encourage local peristalsis.

Dental

Laser therapy can be great addition to post-dental pain management protocols¹. It is very easy to apply while the patient is still under anesthesia, and can make a big difference in reducing their pain and swelling. Beyond post-procedure pain relief, laser can also be used in combination with other treatment methods for certain oral conditions such as stomatitis, to not only reduce pain and inflammation, but promote active healing of oral mucosa/gingival tissues as well.

Degenerative Myelopathy

While laser therapy cannot halt the progress of this devastating disease, it can help to slow active decline while supporting a better quality of life. Not only does it help to keep patients more comfortable, but some clinicians have observed a significant delay in paralysis onset when used as part of a larger rehabilitation program².

Pain Pathway Management

Pain relief is one of the most common uses of laser therapy, but many veterinary professionals don’t think to use it when managing pain in larger regions of the body. By applying laser therapy on-contact and directly over the spine, you can more effectively modulate pain pathways and provide analgesia for an expanded area of the body, not just over the area of application.

*Please note that laser therapy should never be applied to an area where active bleeding is present.

1. Watson, Andrea H., BS & Brundage, Cord M. PhD, DVM. (2019). Photobiomodulation as an Inflammatory Therapeutic Following Dental Prophylaxis in Canines. Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery, 37(5), pp. 276-28.

2. Orenbuch, Evelyn, DVM, DACVSMR, CAVCA. (2016). Lasers in Canine Physical Rehabilitation. Integrative Veterinary Care, 7(1), pp. 22-26.