What is Laser Therapy for Cats?
At Cat Care Center of Baton Rouge, we are always looking for new ways to care for your cat. Medicine and technology are constantly advancing, and we embrace staying at the forefront of the best medical and surgical care. We are proud to offer laser therapy for cats at our veterinary hospital.
Veterinary laser therapy provides a non-invasive, pain-free, surgery-free, and drug-free treatment for a variety of conditions and can be performed in conjunction with existing treatment protocols. Laser treatment for cats employs deep-penetrating light to promote a chain of chemical reactions known as photobiostimulation. This process helps relieve pain through the release of endorphins, and it stimulates injured cells to heal at an accelerated pace. The faster your cat heals, the better they feel.
How Do Lasers Provide Pain Relief for Cats?
Laser treatments provide pain relief for cats in three ways. First, by reducing inflammation through vasodilation (opening of blood vessels), and by activating the lymphatic drainage system, thus draining swollen areas. As a result, swelling caused by bruising or inflammation is reduced which alleviates pain. Second, by stimulating nerve cells that block pain signals from being transmitted to the brain. And third, by stimulating the production of high levels of endorphins which are pain killing compounds naturally produced by the cat.
What Are the Other Benefits of Veterinary Laser Therapy?
Besides pain relief, some other important benefits of veterinary laser therapy include:
- Increased metabolic activity
- Improved nerve function
- Reduced fibrous tissue formation
- Faster wound healing
- Accelerated tissue repair and cell growth
What Cat Health Conditions Can Be Treated with Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy for cats can be used to treat a multitude of ailments, including:
- Ulcerations and open wounds
- Muscle, ligament, and tendon injuries
- Post-surgical and soft tissue trauma
- Back pain
- Neuromuscular disease
- Acute and chronic ear infections
- Gingivitis and post-operative dental extraction healing
- Arthritis
- Degenerative Joint Disease
- And others
Many of our veterinary laser therapy patients are older animals with musculoskeletal ailments. Your cat may benefit from laser therapy if they are experiencing pain, discomfort, or are displaying any of the following signs:
- Decrease in normal activity
- Decreased desire to jump up on surfaces they normally jump onto
- Slowness to get up
- May cry or move away from petting
- Does not want to be picked up and handled as usual
- Limping
- Decrease in grooming habits
AAFP - Degenerative Joint Disease
How Long Does a Cat Laser Therapy Treatment Take?
The time needed for the treatment depends upon the condition and severity of the problem. We utilize laser therapy on incisions post-operatively to aid in pain management and faster healing. These treatments are generally a one-time treatment. Other one-time laser therapy situations may apply to wound care of ulcerations or infections. However, with more chronic or severe pain, we will recommend a series of treatments. The treatment length will vary but most are approximately 3-8 minutes. Our veterinarians will tailor the length of the series based upon the condition and the response. For example, for chronic low back pain, we may recommend 6 weekly treatments. Some chronic conditions such as arthritis may require ongoing treatments. If your cat has responded well to the laser, we may be able to keep the pain under control with monthly treatments. Laser treatment for cats are cumulative, so each additional treatment facilitates a greater improvement in your cat's condition. Our veterinarian would be happy to help devise a sufficient laser treatment schedule based on your cat's needs.
My Pet Laser Rental Program at Cat Care Center
Cat Care Center offers a laser rental program for clients and their cats. Aside from the many healing benefits of laser therapy, we are able to offer the unique experience of in-home treatment for a variety of conditions facilitated by you. We are always striving to be feline friendly and developing therapeutic laser therapy protocols for our clients with respect to the unique needs of our feline patients is a perfect example of this. The ability to provide an FDA-cleared technology that is both safe and well-demonstrated among peers to be an effective addition to a treatment plan in the comfort of your home is just one of the many ways Cat Care Center is committed to the specific needs of our patients.
My Pet Laser provides a customized treatment plan in the comfort of your home. Often times we will begin laser treatment therapy in the hospital, but the goal is to get your cat home and back to their normal routines as soon as medically possible. Now, with the My Pet Laser program, we can continue the recommended laser therapy without daily trips to the veterinary hospital. There is no need to shave or clip the area to be treated and your cat doesn't have to be sedated for laser treatment. Many clients have expressed the relaxation their cat feels during the treatments and this provides positive interactions further strengthening the human-cat bond. My Pet Lasers are very user-friendly with pre-programmed settings. This is a drug-free, non-invasive therapy able to be performed in your home, allowing you to be an active part in the healing process. You and your cat will love the results. Before you leave with this medical equipment, we will provide a full explanation of how the laser works, your cat's individual treatment protocol, and a guided demonstration from our staff on the use of the My Pet Laser.
Please call us today at (225) 228-1039 with any questions or to schedule an appointment to discuss our My Pet Laser rental program.
How Do I Schedule a Laser Therapy Appointment for My Cat?
Scheduling an appointment for cat laser therapy is as easy as picking up the telephone, sending us an email, or visiting our veterinary hospital in person. Our knowledgeable, compassionate veterinary team can help answer any questions you have. Make an appointment today for your cat to begin enjoying the benefits of laser therapy!