Therapeutic laser, also called photobiomodulation or cold laser, uses specific wavelengths of light to reduce pain and inflammation and support tissue healing. It is drug-free, non-invasive, and most pets find it relaxing. At Walking Paws Rehab we use laser therapy on its own for chronic pain and as part of a larger plan alongside underwater treadmill therapy, manual therapy, and exercise. It is available at both our Boulder and Denver clinics.
Laser is one of the first tools we reach for after surgery, for arthritis flare-ups, and for soft-tissue injuries where we want to calm inflammation before building strength. No veterinary referral is needed.
A therapeutic laser delivers light energy at wavelengths that penetrate skin and are absorbed by cells in the tissue below. That energy increases cellular activity: it improves blood flow to the area, reduces inflammation, decreases muscle spasm, stimulates fibroblast and collagen production, and promotes nerve regeneration. The practical result for your pet is less pain and faster healing. This is not a surgical or cutting laser. There is no heat damage to tissue, and treatment feels like a gentle warmth, if anything at all.
We use laser most often for arthritis and hip dysplasia, post-surgical incisions and joints, intervertebral disc disease and other back pain, tendon and ligament injuries such as shoulder tendinopathy, iliopsoas strain, and Achilles injuries, muscle strains and trigger points, slow-healing wounds and lick granulomas, and nerve injuries where we want to encourage regeneration. It is also a useful option for cats and for dogs who cannot tolerate anti-inflammatory medication.
Your pet lies or sits comfortably on a mat while the therapist moves the laser handpiece slowly over the treatment area. Everyone in the room, including your pet, wears protective eyewear. A single area takes a few minutes; a full session treating several sites usually takes ten to twenty minutes. There is no sedation, no clipping of fur in most cases, and no recovery time. Many pets relax noticeably during treatment, and some fall asleep. Laser is typically one part of a longer rehabilitation appointment rather than a standalone visit, though we do offer laser-only appointments for maintenance patients.
Therapeutic laser has an excellent safety record when used by trained staff. The main precaution is eye protection, which we provide for every session. We do not treat directly over known or suspected tumors, over the abdomen of a pregnant animal, over growth plates in very young animals, or on areas with active bleeding. Your therapist will review your pet’s history before the first treatment and will ask about any recent diagnoses or medications.
Laser effects build over time, so a course of treatments works better than a single visit. For an acute injury or post-surgical recovery, we often start with two or three sessions a week for the first couple of weeks and then taper. For chronic conditions like arthritis, many pets do well with an initial series followed by a maintenance visit every few weeks. Some owners notice their pet moving more comfortably after the first or second session; for others improvement is gradual. Your therapist will set expectations at the first visit and adjust the plan based on how your pet responds.
Does it hurt?
No. Most pets feel nothing or a mild warmth. We watch for any sign of discomfort and adjust immediately.
Can laser replace pain medication?
Sometimes it reduces the amount needed, and for pets who cannot take NSAIDs it may be a primary option. Never stop a prescribed medication without talking to your veterinarian or our doctors.
Do you treat cats?
Yes. Laser is well tolerated by cats and is one of our most-used tools for feline arthritis.
Do I need a referral?
No. We do request records from your veterinarian or surgeon before the first appointment.
Is this the same as the laser used for surgery?
No. Surgical lasers cut tissue. Therapeutic lasers stimulate healing and do not damage tissue.
