Learn tips about Class IV laser therapy and other health related topics on the Companion Therapy Lasers blog! Check back weekly for updated posts.
The advent of Class IV lasers has made veterinary laser therapy a viable solution for small and large animals alike. The ability to deliver variable power from 0.25 Watts to 15 Watts gives you a therapeutic advantage when treating large animals.
Many practitioners who treat equine athletes are adopting laser therapy. Many Olympic competitors are using Class IV laser therapy not only as a post-competition recovery tool, but also as a warm up tool before competition. Trainers find that the horses that are treated before competition have looser muscles and are able to compete at their peak level of performance faster.
See the difference in this dressage horse’s performance after laser therapy was integrated into it’s chronic arthritis treatment protocol for both hocks. The after videos are after laser therapy had been integrated into treatment protocols for 2 weeks.
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As laser therapy becomes a standard of care for pets and athletes alike, the flexibility of Class IV therapy lasers will become increasingly important.
Gone are the days where post-op patients are sent home with pain relief medication and wished a speedy recovery. Veterinary rehabilitation programs are emerging in general practices and in specialty clinics alike. Certification programs for advanced training in rehabilitation/physical therapy for veterinary patients are available and continue to gain popularity as both veterinarians and pet owners see the value in this discipline for aiding patient recoveries.
Obtaining training and starting your own rehabilitation program in your clinic is a major step towards your facility providing the most state-of –the-art care for your patients. Rehab is an essential part in the healing process for your patients to ensure they don’t just heal but return to full function.
Class IV laser therapy is one of the major modalities to integrate into your rehabilitation program. Class IV laser therapy provides a way to accelerate healing and accomplish mobility goals along with other modalities. Treatments are fast (most lasting 5 – 7 minutes) and well tolerated by patients. Class IV laser therapy treatment can be delivered in non-contact mode to provide the most non-invasive treatment available for those painful post-op patients your rehab program will inevitably see.
Whether you are considering adding a full rehab program or adding to your multi-modal pain management protocols that can be utilized either post-operatively or for animals with movement dysfunctions – Class IV laser therapy should be considered. Laser therapy can treat a diverse array of conditions (both rehab and non-rehab related). What single resource do you currently have in your clinic that can treat arthritis, otitis, skin conditions, hot spots, lick granulomas, bladder conditions, fractures, wounds, post-op incisions, pain, edema, and gingivitis?
Class IV laser therapy is changing the lives of thousands every day – people and animals alike! Veterinary laser therapy is helping reduce pain and inflammation for a wide variety of animals from horses, to cats & dogs, to snakes & penguins. Companion Therapy Lasers were used to treat the following two animals that were suffering from chronic pain.
Just like humans, penguins are prone to suffering from chronic arthritis. Class IV laser therapy effectively relieves inflammation associated with arthritis – providing the patient with pain relief and increased range of motion. Check out this 20-second before and after video of an arthritic penguin that received Class IV laser therapy treatment.
Another example of an animal enduring chronic pain is Serena, an 11 year-old rabbit suffering from severe arthritis and muscle atrophy, a common condition in aging rabbits. Serena was treated 3 times with the laser initially and showed great improvement. She was then moved into a maintenance program, receiving treatments once a month. Serena was treated at 6 Watts for 3 minutes on each hip and lower spine (6 minutes total).
The same treatment principles used to rehabilitate these two animals are being used every day by clinicians worldwide. If your pet is suffering from chronic pain – or if you treat pets that endure pain on a daily basis, see if Class IV laser therapy is an option for your pet or a good fit for your practice. It worked for Penguin #10 and Serena!
