Our pet’s teeth are often something that we, as owners, overlook until they have “bad breath.” Did you know they shouldn’t have a foul odor from their mouth? Unless, they do the unthinkable…and eat their own poop!

The odor comes from the bacteria that are harbored under the calculus which cats and dogs develop. Food, saliva, and bacteria combine to form a hard, calcified plaque, otherwise known as calculus, over the teeth. The calculus becomes thicker and thicker with each new layer that added on over time. The combination of the bacteria and calculus make the gums and supportive structures around the teeth recede and break down. As this process continues our pet’s mouth becomes smellier. This can potentially cause teeth to become bad and either fall out on their own or need to be pulled. They sometimes develop painful infections around the roots of the teeth too.

The good news is there are a few things that can be done to slow the process, and to help keep our pet’s mouth healthy. If the pet is cooperative, brushing the teeth daily, to every other day, is the best way to keep the teeth clean. Appropriate chew toys, dental diets, and water additives to prevent the bacteria buildup are some other options for the less cooperative pets. Throughout every pet’s life though, they will also require professional cleaning. This includes scaling and polishing all surfaces of the teeth while the pet is closely monitored under anesthesia. Please talk with your veterinarian to determine if a professional cleaning is needed for your pet. Your veterinarian can also discuss some of the other options along with helping to teach you how to start brushing your pet’s teeth.

The therapy laser radically increases circulation, which reduces pain and inflammation by stimulating an endorphin/enkephalin release and radically excites the energy carrier in the cell (the ATP) to heal the cells in ⅓ to ½ faster than normal healing time. Laser treatments are cumulative and one builds upon another. A therapy laser treats any inflammation, pain or acute trauma and any chronic conditions which cause pain, stiffness and resulting loss of mobility. In medicine, there are hundreds of variants as to patient outcomes… age, condition, severity, lifestyle, diet, weight, drugs, just to name a few.

What to Expect
 -There is no patient sedation or restraint required and the experience is usually pleasant and comforting to them.
 -Although improvement is often seen after the first visit, most patients require several treatments [3 to 8] for greatest benefit. For most conditions, we       recommend a multi-visit treatment plan. Treatments vary in length, but most sites require 2 to 8 minutes. A majority of patients exhibit greater comfort and mobility within 12 to 24 hours after a laser treatment.
 -Class IV Laser Therapy treatments are cumulative in nature. The length and frequency of treatments varies with your pet‟s condition. A sample treatment schedule is as follows:
    Acute conditions and Injuries:
       -Every other day for one week [3 total]
       -Twice the second week [2 total]
       -Once the third week [1 total]
   Chronic Conditions:
       -Every other day for 3 weeks [8 total]
       -Booster treatments as needed, or every 30 days in Winter, 60 days in Summer

 -Just like when your medical doctor prescribes antibiotics, you take all 6 or 9… you don‟t stop after 2 if you „think‟ you're feeling better.
 -Post Op sutures/staples may come out several days earlier than normal due to faster tissue healing.
 -Long term to permanent results for many conditions.
  
  [Your veterinarian will recommend a treatment plan specific to your pet’s condition.]

What Not To Expect
 -Do not expect 100% resolution after just one treatment.
 -Do not expect a cure for arthritis.
 -Major change in gait. If your pet has been walking awkwardly for a long time, don‟t expect overnight gait change. This can take time, if at all depending on     condition.

What To Watch For
 -Your pet going up/down stairs better
 -Jumping on couch, etc
 -Easier into and out of bed or down on ground.
 -Makes 2 circles around bed, instead of normal 4 times.
 -Eating better
 -Longer walks (light exercise)
 -Rapid tissue healing, less biting/scratching
 -Dryness of wound/lesion hours after laser treatment

Do Not
 -Do not Increase activity for your pet. Take it easy for a while.
 -Do not “test” to see if the laser worked. No Frisbees, tennis balls, etc
 -Do Not stop treatment after 2 or 3 sessions if you don‟t think its “working”. It takes time for decreased inflammation and tissue healing. Most feel relief during 1st treatment.

Numerous studies show that Laser Therapy can help with:
Osteoarthritis                             Joint Pain
Tendonopathies                         Edema and Congestion
Ligament Sprains                      Muscle Strains
Puncture Wounds                      Post-Traumatic Injury
Post-Surgical Pain                     Neck and Back Pain
Hip Dysplasia                             Burns
Chronic Wounds                        Rehabilitation
Contaminated wounds              Post-Orthopedic Surgical Recovery

Reintroduction to Activity
Laser Therapy can relieve pain, reduce swelling and increase range of motion. Often the patient will exhibit renewed energy and freedom of movement. Consult your veterinarian before your pet returns to full activity. A gradual introduction of activity may be suggested to insure the patient does not aggravate the condition.

Frequently Asked Questions
Does it hurt? What does a treatment feel like?
There is little or no sensation during treatment. Occasionally the patient feels mild, soothing warmth, or tingling. Areas of pain or inflammation may be sensitive briefly before pain reduction.

Are there any side effects or associated risks?
During more than twenty years of use by healthcare providers all over the world, very few side effects have ever been reported. Occasionally some old injuries or pain syndromes may feel aggravated for a few days, as the healing response is more active after treatment.

How long does each treatment take?
The typical treatment time is 2 to 8 minutes depending on the size of the area being treated.

How often should a patient be treated?
Acute conditions may be treated daily, particularly if they are accompanied by significant pain. More chronic problems respond better when treatments are received 2 to 3 times a week, tapering to once every week or two as improvement is seen.

How many treatments does it take?
This depends on the nature of the condition being treated. For some acute conditions 1-2 treatments may be sufficient. Those of a more chronic nature may require 5 to 8 (or more) treatments. Some conditions may require ongoing periodic care to control pain.

How long before the results are felt?
Your pet may feel improvement in their condition (usually pain reduction) after the first treatment. Sometimes they will not feel improvement for a number of treatments. This does not mean that nothing is happening. Each treatment is cumulative and results are often felt after 3 or 4 sessions.

Can it be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment?
Yes! Laser Therapy is often used with other forms of therapy, including physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, massage, soft tissue mobilization, electrotherapy and following surgery. Other healing modalities are complementary and can be used with laser to increase the effectiveness of the treatment.

For more information visit www.k-laserusa.com