To schedule a Laser Therapy appointment you cansimply click the "Request an Appointment" button, or email The Comfort Vet at thecomfortvet@gmail.com,(mailto:thecomfortvet@gmail.com?subject=Laser Therapy for my pet) or you can text/call (608) 561-1639 and leave a message. Be sure to have your pet's primary veterinarian share current medical records for your pet to thecomfortvet@gmail.com (mailto:thecomfortvet@gmail.com?subject=Laser Therapy for my pet)ahead of time, if possible. Please also fill out the Comfort Care Intake Form.(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScpLpyurGI6zdC_Nl9Ny4hzdtSCltl1HvhcCK9zgLslMXPLxQ/viewform?usp=sf_link) Someone will get back to you within 24-48 hours.

Specific pre-treatment preparation for a Laser Therapy treatment is simple and should include removal of any topical applications from the area of the skin to be lasered. If your pet has recently received any injectable medication, please provide that information so that the injection site can be avoided. Your pet can resume normal activity after a laser treatment. However, if your pet is on restricted activity it is important to follow those instructions and the in-home exercise plan to help with your pet's recovery.

A review of previous medical records followed by a Comfort Care Exam. This includes a physical, musculoskeletal and neuromuscular examination, prior to an initial laser treatment.

Laser therapy, also known as photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), is a scientifically proven way to reduce pain and inflammation in both pets and people. LASER stands for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.” Photonic light energy is able to penetrate tissue and is absorbed by chromophores in the body to produce biochemical changes that are helpful in the healing process. This works similarly to how sunlight helps a plant cell produce energy. This results in alleviation of pain or inflammation through modulation of immune and inflammatory responses. It promotes wound healing and tissue regeneration by way of stimulation of nonharmful reactions within the cell. It is painless, noninvasive, and easy to administer.

Laser Therapy is being increasingly used in rehabilitation medicine for both veterinary and human patients. The term LASER stands for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.” Laser Therapy works through light penetration into the patient’s tissues to positively influence cellular function and tissue repair. It does this through a photochemical process that excites the mitochondria within cells. The wavelength of the light governs the depth of tissue penetration with near-infrared light penetrating more deeply than ordinary red light. When the mitochondria are excited, this results in activation of a cellular signaling cascade utilizing ATP (adenosine triphosphate, the energy source for the cell), nitric oxide (NO), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Laser therapy increases both cellular ATP production as well as cellular metabolism to help injured cells heal1. It stimulates growth factors such as fibroblastic growth factor 2, epithelial growth factor, and nerve growth factor2,1. Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent vasodilator, serving to relax endothelial cells within blood vessels to improve blood flow and improve healing2. The effect of light energy to increase local production and release of NO also helps with pain relief, and resolution of edema, as well as acting to improve lymphatic drainage to reduce swelling and to improve wound healing through the production of new blood vessels3. Furthermore, the activation of ROS can help with the synthesis of proteins that are important in tissue repair. They also help play a role in tissue oxygenation, and help modulate inflammatory mediators4. Importantly, ROS increases the metabolism, proliferation, migration, and synthesis of proteins that are used for tendon and wound healing2, 5. There is additional evidence that laser therapy has a protective role in the degradation of cartilage and synovitis in animals with progressive osteoarthritis6. Laser therapy has also been shown to reduce neuropathic pain and alter inflammatory events associated with peripheral nerve injury7. It can increase the threshold for pain fibers, increase endorphins, activate endogenous opioids, and attract opioids to injured sites, all of which are valuable in reducing the sensation of pain in patients with both acute and chronic injuries8. In summary, laser therapy alters tissue physiology to: • Promote cellular growth, proliferation, and repair • Help with pain control through endorphin release • Increase blood supply to injured tissues to assist healing • Help muscles relax • Reduce inflammation • Speed-up recovery Acute conditions often respond more quickly to laser therapy. Although chronic conditions can still be responsive, they tend to be more challenging and may require a lengthier period of treatment to achieve patient comfort. Therapy for chronic conditions typically begins with an induction period; usually a protocol of up to 3 times a week until a response is seen, then tapering to twice a week for several weeks, then once a week, before finally settling at a treatment frequency that keeps the patient comfortable. 1. Karu, T. (2010) Mitochondrial mechanisms of photobiomodulation in context of new data about multiple roles of ATP. Photomed Laser Surg. 28(2):159-160. 2. Hamblin, M.R. and Demidova, T.N. (2006) Mechanisms of low level light therapy. Proc of SPIE. 6140(612001):1-1 3. Hamblin, M.R. (2008) The role of nitric oxide in low level light therapy. Proc of SPIE. 6846(684602). 4. Chung, H. et al. (2012) The nits and bolts of low-level laser (light) therapy. Ann Biomed Eng. 40(2):516-533. 5. Peplow, P.V. et al, (2010) Laser photobiomodulation of proliferation of cells in culture: a review of human and animal studies. Photomed Laser Surg. 28(Suppl. 1):S3-S40. 6. Wang, et al, (2014). Effects of low-level laser therapy on joint pain, synovitis, anabolic, and catabolic factors in a progressive osteoarthritis rabbit model. Lasers Med Sci. Nov 29(6): 1875-85. 7. Hsieh, Y.L. et al. (2012) Low-level light therapy alleviates neuropathic pain and promotes function recovery in rats with chronic constrictive injury: possible involvements in hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha). J Comp Neurol. 520913):2903-2916. 8. Cidral-Filho, F.J. et al. (2014) Light emitting diode therapy induces analgesia in a mouse model in postoperative pain through activation of peripheral opioid receptors and the L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway. Lasers Med Sci. 29(2):695-702.

• Arthritis and joint disease • Musculoskeletal injuries • Tendon and ligament injuries • Nerve degeneration and injuries • Wounds and infections • Edema and Cellulitis • Ear hematomas and infections • Anal gland issues • Fractures • Lick granulomas • Rhinitis and sinusitis (chronic snufflers) • Urinary tract disorders • And more…

Joint diseases such as arthritis are common conditions in pets for which laser therapy can be especially helpful. The laser can help alleviate pain by a variety of mechanisms. Laser therapy can reduce inflammation in the joint, reduce swelling and edema, increase mobility of the joint, and stimulate new collagen synthesis which is particularly important during the healing process. All these benefits can serve to reduce the amount of pharmaceuticals needed to manage patients with degenerative joint disease, thereby limiting unwanted and dangerous drug side effects.

When performed by a trained practitioner laser therapy is very safe. Areas of skin that have recent topical applications or injected medications should be avoided as the laser may alter the effect of the medication. The use of eye protection during laser therapy is critical in preventing damage to the retina of the eye, so both you and your pet will be provided with protective eye-wear for each treatment session. A few patients may experience a transient increase in pain shortly after a treatment session which can be attributed to the body’s normal healing response. In reality most patients find the treatment soothing without any negative side-effects.

Initial treatment sessions can take 30 to 45 minutes. This includes a physical and neurologic examination as well as an initial laser treatment. Follow-up treatments can range from 15 to 30 minutes depending on the animal's condition and extent of laser therapy needed.

Treatment intervals are dependent on the condition being treated and the animal’s individual response. Some patients have a positive response after just one treatment, but most require several treatments before a noticeable improvement will be seen. It is generally recommended to plan for a minimum of 3 to 5 treatments spaced about 1 to 2 weeks apart for conditions that are chronic, before expecting to see a noticeable response. More acute conditions will benefit from every other day treatment sessions for typically 3 treatments. Once improvement begins, treatment intervals can be tapered to the individual needs of the patient.