K-laser therapy for inflammation, joint pain (how much, vet, treatment, rescued)

[southward bound]

Is anyone familiar with this treatment? I understand it's new, and referred to as "cold laser". It's said to reduce inflammation and increase circulation.

Has anyone tried it for their dog? Please tell me how much it helped, or if it did, and anything else about your experience with the therapy.

[Racelady88]

Not all that new. Those have been around for a long, long time. 20 years ago I was using them on show horses. The trouble is that you are not really addressing the problem, merely treating the symptom. Also, over use can lead to more serious problems.

You don't say what the problem is with your dog, so it is difficult to offer other options. I have seen amazing results with massage therapy and acupuncture.

[southward bound]

Originally Posted by Racelady88

Not all that new. Those have been around for a long, long time. 20 years ago I was using them on show horses. The trouble is that you are not really addressing the problem, merely treating the symptom. Also, over use can lead to more serious problems.

You don't say what the problem is with your dog, so it is difficult to offer other options. I have seen amazing results with massage therapy and acupuncture.

It's hereditary joint disease in both hips and in shoulders. Vet says the shoulders are actually worse than the hips. However, the dog (a lab, of course) has a great attitude and high tolerance for pain, so when he's really stiff and slow moving, we can tell he's in pain. Vet said the therapy can be a good alternative to giving him drugs for pain.

Right now, we only give him a buffered aspirin when he exhibits serious stiffness, and that maybe once a week or every other week. Sometimes we can go for a month without giving anything, and he does just fine. It all depends on the weather and how much exercise he's had on a given day. However, he's getting older (is 8 now) and the pain may increase with age as the joints get worse.

Thank you for your response. What are the problems that this therapy can lead to?

[Racelady88]

Over use of these machines can do damage to the bone marrow. Like a lot of things people see a good result and figure that if 10 minutes once a day is good 20 minutes 3 times a day must be better.

It sounds like massage therapy could be beneficial to your dog. You can visit the International Association of Animal Massage Therapists website and request a recommendation for a therapist in your area. Their site is International Association of Animal Massage Therapists and there is an e-mail link at the bottom of the page. Massage would be a good choice for a holistic option, can't over do it and can't do it wrong. Massage is great for helping to promote healthy joints.

[Paul48060]

Have a Rescued 8 year old male Dalmatian with sever arthritis in both front legs and shoulders. X-rays show no other major complications. He has continued to be less mobile and in pain. My Vet suggested that I give the laser therapy a try so we did. Jake has now completed 4 treatments over the last week and 1/2 and will receive 3 more over the next couple weeks before we re-evaluate his progress. As of right now, he is 1,000 percent more mobile and in much less distress. If all continues as it has to this point I would highly recommend this treatment to pets who have pain and problems with movement.

[dreamhunter65]

If this works on animals maybe I should try it on myself. Pain injections and such not help me.

[yank37]

Originally Posted by southward bound

Is anyone familiar with this treatment? I understand it's new, and referred to as "cold laser". It's said to reduce inflammation and increase circulation.

Has anyone tried it for their dog? Please tell me how much it helped, or if it did, and anything else about your experience with the therapy.

I opted for the stem cell regenerative therapy, and it has worked wonders. Procedure runs about $2500.00, but its definately beats surgical alternatives.

[yank37]

Have you thought about stem cell regenerative therapy? It works wonders. Procedure runs about $2500.00, but its definately worth it, and it certainly beats alternative surgical interventions.