Cori McMichael, practice manager, said she has used the laser therapy to treat animals with intervertebral disc disease, degenerative myelopathy, arthritis and acute injuries.
"[The laser therapy] is like a massage, but it's more than that because of the laser itself" McMichael said. "The thing with the laser is it can actually help with the healing process on injuries if there's a laceration," McMichael said. You can run the laser over that injured area and it can promote faster healing. With surgeries, you can run it over the incision site when you're done and it will promote [faster healing]."
She added, "The goal is to have [animals] on the least amount of medication as possible and still have the effects of being pain free and having a good quality of life."
Carrie Young's 4-year-old Dachshund, Moe, has seizures and was paralyzed in his hind legs. After several treatments, he's been able to stand and move around.
"He's not completely there, but it is amazing to see what he had come from to where he is now," Young said.
She said prior to the laser therapy the only options available for Moe would have been surgery or euthanization.
"We were all for [the laser therapy]," Young said. "We just knew he was in so much pain at the time, he was on pain pills and muscle relaxers and everything and we were just so scared he wouldn't make it. All he could do was drag himself, he couldn't do anything. [Moe] has been our miracle."
McMichael said it was important for pet owners to realize that not all animals respond to the therapy as well as Moe.
"[The laser therapy] is not a cure all," McMichael said. "It may work better for some pets than others."