Cold Laser Therapy

Cold laser therapy is one of the newer tools in our practice, and one we’re genuinely enthusiastic about. It’s non-invasive, drug-free, and well-tolerated by most dogs and cats — often noticeably so. Many pets visibly relax during treatment.

How it works

Cold laser therapy — also called low-level laser therapy or photobiomodulation — uses focused light energy to stimulate cellular activity at the treatment site. Unlike surgical lasers, it doesn’t cut or damage tissue. Instead, it increases circulation, reduces inflammation, and triggers the body’s own repair mechanisms at the cellular level. The gentle warmth it produces is part of why most pets find sessions soothing. The result is faster healing, reduced pain, and improved mobility — without medication.

Sessions are short, painless, and require no sedation. A handheld device is moved slowly over the treatment area, and most pets find it soothing rather than stressful.

What it’s used for

Cold laser therapy works best as part of a broader treatment plan — alongside conventional care, not instead of it. We use it most often for:

• Arthritis and joint pain — one of the most common and consistent uses, with meaningful improvements in comfort and mobility, especially in older dogs and cats
• Post-surgical recovery — accelerates tissue healing and reduces the need for heavy pain medication after procedures
• Soft tissue injuries — strains, sprains, and muscle injuries respond well to the increased circulation and reduced inflammation
• Wound healing — supports faster, cleaner healing of skin wounds and surgical incision sites
• Chronic inflammation — ongoing inflammatory conditions that don’t resolve fully with medication alone

It’s also particularly valuable for pets who can’t tolerate standard pain medications — older animals with reduced organ function, cats with limited medication options, or pets managing multiple conditions where minimizing drug load matters.

What to expect

Cold laser sessions are administered by our trained veterinary technicians, Haley and Mersadies. Treatment frequency depends on your pet’s condition — acute injuries typically start with two to three sessions per week for the first few weeks, while chronic conditions like arthritis are usually managed with one to two sessions per week on an ongoing basis. Effects are cumulative, and most owners notice meaningful improvement after a handful of sessions.