The use of therapeutic laser continues to expand in veterinary medicineMay 14, 2021Unlike most common procedures, the information on veterinary laser therapy comes from research in humans, and more uses and medical indications have been transferred to veterinary medicine.
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Laser therapy—Indications and contraindicationsMarch 27, 2019Photobiomodulation—a.k.a laser therapy—has become commonplace in veterinary medicine, with knowledge gained over the last eight to 10 years coming from evidence-based data and shared clinical experience. Achieving predictable and reproducible results with laser therapy is dependent on properly managed treatments, proper dosing, effective use of therapy laser hardware and software, and appropriate treatment technique.1 Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) applies low-level (low-power) lasers to the surface of or in orifices of the body. Whereas high-power lasers are used in laser medicine to cut or destroy tissue, application of low-power lasers is said to relieve pain or stimulate and enhance cell function. Laser therapy is a unique and extremely gentle form of treatment with the ability to stimulate tissue healing, virtually without side effects. It is very different from laser surgery, as it avoids heating the tissue, which can cause cell and tissue damage. As such, photobiomodulation is often called "cold laser" therapy.2 What's it for? Laser therapy has been postulated to exert three main effects: reduction of pain, modulation of inflammation, and acceleration of healing.3 The primary categories with the strongest support—largely via experimental studies—include its use in pain, wounds, musculoskeletal conditions, neurologic pathology, and in conjunction with complementary medicine techniques …
Second annual ALSC symposium to take place in Phoenix, Ariz.March 14, 2019Veterinarians looking to learn more about surgical CO2 lasers can get their fill at the American Laser Study Club (ALSC) symposium. Held in Phoenix, Ariz., from March 29 to 31, the event will feature the following laser-surgery techniques and photobiomodulation topics: • "A comparison between carbon dioxide surgical laser and non-laser excision of cutaneous and subcutaneous soft tissue sarcomas and mast cell tumors in dogs"—Lori Agulian, DVM; • "Comparison of the hemodynamic response in general anesthesia between patients submitted to skin incision with scalpel and CO2 laser using dogs as an animal model"—Pedro Azevedo, DVM, MSc, Pst-Grd; • "Veterinary oral laser surgery: Ahhh!"—Noel A. Berger, DVM, MS, Dip. ABLS; • "Surgical lasers in veterinary medicine"—David S. Bradley, DVM, FASLMS; • "Laser therapy simplified: A quick review of what you really need to know"—David S. Bradley, DVM, FASLMS; • "Comparison of the influence of CO2-laser and scalpel skin incisions on the surgical wound healing process"—Miguel Carreira, PhD, MSc, DTO, Pst-Grd, DMD, DVM; • "Comparative study on the plasmatic CRP level variation in dogs undergoing surgery with CO2 laser and scalpel blade incisions in a pre- and post-surgical time-point"—Miguel Carreira, PhD, MSc, DTO, Pst-Grd, DMD, DVM;
