Brochures Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital Laser Therapy | Page 5

pleasant. In fact, there really is very little risk or adverse effects from the treatment. There is some risk to the retinas if the laser is directly shone in the eyes, so everyone, including the patient, wears eye protection specifically designed to filter out the laser’s wavelength of light. Due to the increase in cellular activity and blood flow, locations with known cancer should not be treated. In acute situations (lacerations, muscle strains, skin infections, post-surgery incisions, etc.) one or two treatments are enough to get the effects we desire. In more chronic situations, it can take six to ten treatments to see improvement. In these cases, the goal is not to cure the patient’s illness, but to provide pain relief, encourage healing, and improve their quality of life. After improvement is noted, treatments can be spaced out and most animals will continue on a maintenance plan to keep them comfortable for as long as needed. If your pet is experiencing pain, inflammation, or needs assistance healing, then they may be a candidate for laser therapy. Ask your veterinarian for more information about this exciting new technology.