Animal Medical Center of Chicago is excited to offer Companion Therapeutic Laser Therapy!

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Laser therapy is a non-invasive, pain-free, surgery-free and drug-free treatment to help alleviate pain, reduce inflammation and speed wound healing in our pets.  For some patients, this treatment modality may be used alone or in conjunction with traditional anti-inflammatory and pain medications. For those on medications, it may reduce their dependence on them. A positive response to therapeutic laser therapy is often seen in hours to days depending on the condition being treated and your pet’s individual response.  Whether your pet is recovering from an acute injury, healing from a surgical wound or displaying discomfort from a chronic illness, your furry friend may benefit from this innovative approach to treating pain and wound healing.

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Applications for laser therapy may include:

  • Treatment for arthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease)
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Disc Disease
  • General pain management (sprains, strains and stiffness)
  • Post-surgical healing and pain relief
  • Skin problems (hot spots, infections and lick granulomas)
  • Periodontal disease
  • Dental extraction pain relief
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Fractures and wounds (bites, abrasions and other lesions)
  • Ear infections and ear hematomas
  • Anal sac infections
  • Laryngeal paralysis
  • Bladder infections or Interstitial Cystitis

How does it work?

Our Class IV Therapeutic Laser uses a beam of infrared light to deeply penetrate tissue and energize cells without damaging them. These energized cells stimulate a number of biochemical events that result in:

  1. Pain Relief (Analgesia)
  2. Increased circulation
  3. Reduced Inflammation
  4. Accelerated healing process

What can I expect during my pet’s laser therapy session?

It is a non-painful procedure that is performed in a calm environment. To protect their eyes from the laser beam, your pet will wear either safety goggles or have a black cloth draped over their eyes. A laser probe is applied to each site for 3 to 10 minutes. Some pets may initially be a bit apprehensive of this activity, but once they feel the warmth generated by the laser probe, their fear dissipates; they relax and enjoy the treatment. We encourage pet owners to be present and active participants. Feeding them tasty treats is definitely encouraged. It is not uncommon for cats to purr and dogs to fall asleep during their therapy session. Pain relief may be achieved within minutes after an acute injury or after a series of six to nine treatments in more serious or chronic situations. This pain relief improves the quality of life for your furry family member.

Pets are very secretive about showing signs of pain. Some signs of discomfort in pets are:

  • Abnormal sitting or lying posture
  • Circling multiple times before lying down
  • Restlessness
  • Whining, groaning or other vocalizations
  • Limping, unable to get up or lie down
  • Difficulty getting into car, jumping onto furniture or going up and down stairs
  • Lack of grooming
  • Won’t wag tail or tail tucked low
  • Licking or biting an area
  • Lack of appetite
  • Trembling
  • No longer likes to be petted or touched
  • Withdrawn or hiding
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If your pet is showing any signs of discomfort, please call us at 773.525.3353 to schedule a physical examination with one of our veterinarians. During this appointment, we will identify why your pet is uncomfortable and whether laser therapy would be beneficial for your pet.

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