Benefits of Laser Therapy For Your Horse or Dog

How to Help Your Horse or Dog With Light Therapy

Light therapy” is sometimes known as phototherapy. This combines visible and invisible light (e.g. infra-red) to help treat various ailments, by stimulating natural healing.

Low Level Laser therapy* is one form of light energy – using a single wavelength, and is used by many Vets to help with a variety of animal ailments - from tissue repair, reducing inflammation and pain relief.

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is often also known as Cold Laser Therapy. There are a variety of lasers used for therapy however, they vary in the size of their beam and ability to affect the injury/ailment.

LLLT is basically light therapy as lasers are instruments which deliver light amplified into a small, focused beam. It is also sometimes known as phototherapy.

Isn't Laser Therapy dangerous?

Hot lasers are used for surgical purposes, to cut tissue. So yes, hot laser therapy (only to be used by skilled veterinary surgeons) does have the potential to be harmful if incorrectly used with your animals.

LLLT however, does not usually cause any unwanted side effects and is non-invasive

Who Can Use Light Therapy & What Animals Can Benefit?

Your Veterinary Surgeon will be able to advise if light therapy is a suitable treatment for your animal. Many different animals can potentially benefit - from horses, dogs, cats to many others!

How Can Low Level Therapy Help My Animal?

It's used to stimulate healing, for both injuries and post-surgery where tissue needs to repair.

LLLT is often used to help with the following:

• Wounds (both new and older ones that are proving difficult to heal);
• Joint injuries;
• Tendon/Ligament injuries;
• Pain relief from chronic conditions

Animals often find LLLT relaxing, and usually do not need to be sedated or have their hair clipped/shaved.

How Quick Will LLLT Help My Animal?

Some suggest that it will reduce the healing time by half. However, as is the case with any injury or ailment, some animals will respond quicker than others. Additionally, it will depend on the ailment that the LLLT is being used to help - some will require longer treatment than others.

Low Level Laser therapy is popular because it is a drug-free way of promoting health. Dogs, cats, horses and other animals can all enjoy the benefits of LLLT.

But remember as with any complementary therapy, LLLT is not intended to replace veterinary care. If you're ever in doubt as to what ailment your horse has, then do call your Veterinary Surgeon for a diagnosis and professional advice first!

Where can your animal receive a LLLT treatment?

Many veterinary surgeons use LLLT within their practice, as do a wide range of professional complementary therapists working with animals.

If you would like help locating a vet or therapist near you who uses LLLT, then please email info@taranet.co.uk, as we maybe able to help.

You Can Read More Information On Veterinary Laser Therapy With These Research Articles

Wave behaviours https://science.nasa.gov/ems/03_behaviors

Understanding science of veterinary laser therapy https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/understanding-science-of-laser-therapy/

"An investigation into the depth of penetration of low level laser therapy through the equine tendon in vivo" (The Irish Veterinary Journal)

Read This Blog Post About Red Light Therapy For Animals Here

About The Author
This article has been extensively researched and written by Suzanne Harris. Who is also the designer and developer of this site. A lifelong animal lover with a passion for ensuring animals can access complementary therapies for their health and wellbeing.

Would you like information on Veterinary Surgeons or other holistic therapists who use colour, light or laser therapy near you? Please email me at info@taranet.co.uk - I'll be pleased to try and assist!

You can get more information on many complementary therapies for animals here at Taranet. Take a look at the sitemap here for a list.