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A LiteCure Laser
in the St. Louis Cardinals clubhouse! |
Robert Bendick Hemler receiving Therapeutic Laser
treatment on his Pitching Elbow |
Pain Removed.
Life Improved.
KAH is proud to
be offering Therapeutic Laser treatments for our patients!
Introducing the Companion Animal
Laser – The latest technology for the health of your pet.
Deep penetrating light allows
relief of pain through release of endorphins and stimulates injured cells to
heal faster.
Simply put, it provides relief
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The Therapeutic Laser
allows your pet to heal faster after surgery or any traumatic injury.
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It eases pain and improves
mobility without the use of pharmaceuticals and surgery.
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Laser therapy helps provide your
geriatric animal relief of aches and pains and allows for more freedom and
improved quality of life. |
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The
Therapeutic Laser
helps provide pain relief
and increases healing in
everyday disorders such as lick granulomas and chronic ear infections.
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Laser therapy provides a
sterile, pain-free, surgery- free, drug-free treatment, which is used to
treat a variety of injuries, wounds, fractures, neurological conditions,
numerous dermatological problems, and pain.
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Laser therapy is the only course
of treatment that actually stimulates the body to heal from within.
Non-thermal photons of light are administered to the body and absorbed by
the injured cells. The cells are then stimulated and respond with a higher
rate of metabolism. This results in increased circulation from the body, an
anti-inflammatory reaction, relief from pain and an acceleration of the
healing process.
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Whether your pet is
rehabilitating from trauma or injury, healing from wounds, or simply aging,
he or she will benefit from this revolutionary new approach to veterinary
medicine. And now it's here at Kirkwood Animal Hospital.
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What to expect.
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The WORK-UP - Our
veterinarians may recommend basic testing to ensure that there are no
contra-indications to using the laser. This may include, but is not
limited to a full exam, complete blood testing, and x-rays. |
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The treatment plan -
after the work-up our veterinarians will design a treatment plan for you
pet based on their condition, number of sites to be treated. This
plan will be monitored and modified based on your pet's response to
treatment. |
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Through a method called “Photobiostimulation”, the Companion
Therapeutic Laser provides drug-free, surgery-free and pain-free relief for your
companion.
What will the application of laser therapy do for my pet?
Disorders that respond best to
Therapeutic Laser
- Treatment Applications
include:
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Pain relief |
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Arthritis - Degenerative joint disease |
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Hip Dysplasia |
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Otitis (ear infections & inflammation)
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Wound healing |
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Post-Surgical Pain Relief and Increased Healing |
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Back Pain - Degenerative Disk Disease |
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Numerous Skin Conditions –(Hot Spots, Infections) |
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Lick granulomas |
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Degloving injuries - where the skin is completely torn off
the underlying tissue and severing the blood supply. |
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Dental -Periodontal diseases - Gingivitis & Stomatitis |
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Insect stings/bites |
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Lacerations/Abrasions |
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Burns |
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And More........ |
So, how
does this work?
No anesthesia is
required for your pet to be treated with the Therapeutic Laser . The therapy sessions
are painless. Most pets actually seem to enjoy the process, even those who come
in because they are experiencing active pain.
Companion Laser
therapy involves passing a laser beam across your pet's skin, directly above the
area where your pet has some discomfort or inflammation. Your pet experiences a
feeling of warmth penetrating to the exact spot where the tissue needs help. The
beam of laser light is passed over the area for usually 3 to 8 minutes (The
length of time varies with the size of the pet and the size of the treatment
area). During this time we will do our best to ensure that your pet is extremely
comfortable and relaxed. At the discretion of the doctor, you will be permitted
to stay with your pet through the session.
This invisible
light beam is transmitting laser energy into the cells during this time. This
has several effects on different tissue types, and depending on the laser
settings. In the case for healing the effect causes the cells to reproduce or
regenerate at a faster rate leading to a more rapid healing process. The beam
also significantly reduces the pain associated with injury and inflammation by
stimulating natural endorphins within the tissue. The laser also causes dilation
of the blood and lymphatic vessels within the tissue, increasing blood flow to
the area reducing the swelling and promoting healing. The laser also stimulates
many acupuncture points as well.
How often your
pet will need to be treated depends on your pet’s medical condition. Pets with
arthritis will often follow a 3-2-1 protocol—3 times the first week, 2 times the
second week and 1 time the following week. Since the effects are cumulative, the
frequency which your pet will return will be determined by their progress. Often
the interval can be stretched out between each visit. Pets with sudden acute
injuries like back pain may come in daily for 3 days in a row, then as needed. A
doctor will be happy to evaluate your pet and help make recommendations for a
therapy protocol tailored specifically for their needs. We believe you will find
laser treatment an easily affordable option for your pet.
Known biological effects of laser therapy (The science
part):
Clinical studies and trials of laser therapy indicate the following beneficial
effects of laser light therapy on tissues and cells:
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Accelerated tissue repair and
cell growth. Photons of light from lasers penetrate deeply onto tissue and
accelerate cellular reproduction and growth. The laser light increases the
energy available to the cell so that the cell can take on nutrients faster
and get rid of waste products. As a result of exposure to laser light, the
cells of tendons, ligaments and muscles are repaired faster.
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Faster wound healing. Laser light
stimulates the collagen in damaged tissue. Collagen is the essential protein
required to replace old tissue or to repair tissue injuries. As a result,
laser light is effective on open wounds and burns. |
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Reduced scar tissue formation.
Laser light reduces the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage
from cuts, scratches, burns or surgery. |
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Anti-inflammation. Laser therapy
has an anti-edema effect as it causes vasodilation, but also because it
activates the lymphatic drainage system (drains swollen areas). As a result,
there is a reduction in swelling. |
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Anti-pain (analgesic). Laser
therapy has a high beneficial effect on nerve cells which block pain
transmitted by the cells to the brain and which decreases nerve sensitivity.
Also, due to less inflammation, there is less edema and less pain.
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Improved vascular activity. Laser
light will significantly increase the formation of new capillaries in
damaged tissue that speeds up the healing process, closes wounds, quickly
and reduces scar tissue. |
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Increased metabolic activity.
Laser therapy creates higher outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen and
food particle loads for blood cells. |
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Immunoregulation. Laser light has
a direct effect on immunity status by stimulation of immunoglobines and
lymphocytes. |
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Trigger points and acupuncture
points. Laser therapy stimulates muscle trigger points and acupuncture
points on a non-invasive basis providing musculoskeletal pain relief.
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They have spent their whole life being your
friend. Isn't it time you helped them through the aches and pains of everyday
life?
If you think your pet is a good candidate for
laser therapy, call our KAH today. Our veterinarians want to help.
If you believe that laser therapy is right for
you and your pet, please call us at 314-965-2660 to schedule an appointment.
See Laser terms and definitions
page for more informatin!
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