Class IV Laser Therapy

What is a Class IV Laser?

A Class IV therapeutic laser applies light energy (photons) over an anatomical area to improve and augment soft tissue healing and provide relief of acute and chronic pain. The light energy photons interact with damaged tissue at a cellular level to improve blood flow and oxygenation, reduce inflammation, and decrease healing time.

What are the specific benefits of laser treatment?

• Faster wound healing
• Analgesia (pain relief)
• Decreased inflammation
• Angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels)
• Vasodilation to increase blood flow and oxygen to affected tissues
• Improved lympathic drainage
• Improved nerve function and axonal regeneration
• Decreased fibrosis (scar tissue)

Is laser therapy painful?

Your pet will only feel a gentle warming sensation during laser treatment. In fact, many of our patients fall asleep during their sessions!

What health conditions can be treated with a therapeutic laser?

• Osteoarthritis
• Intervertebral disk disease
• Nerve injury/paralysis
• Tendon/ligament injury
• Lick granulomas
• Wounds/lacerations
• Burns

How often will my pet require treatments?

The number of laser treatments needed depends on the condition being treated. A mild sprain may require only one or two laser treatments. A chronic condition such as osteoarthritis is normally treated with twice weekly sessions for 3 weeks, then one to two times a month as maintenance to control symptoms.

Check out these videos of patients receiving laser therapy at our clinic!