TAMPA, Fla., July 22, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Creek Animal Medical Centre announced that the veterinary hospital has had great success using companion animal laser therapy. The Tampa vet practice has been using the treatment over the last year to address a variety of veterinary health problems. These include arthritis, joint disease, skin disease, snakebites, ear infections and bladder infections.
Veterinarian Dr. Timothy D. Hodge is recommending companion laser therapy as a non-invasive treatment for arthritis, joint pain, skin infections and other veterinary health concerns.
"Our veterinary hospital has been offering companion laser therapy for over a year, and we are beyond thrilled with the outcome," said Dr. Hodge. "Whenever possible, we prefer non-invasive therapies for managing pain and treating illness. This is truly a cutting-edge treatment that is revolutionizing Tampa pet holistic care."
Dr. Hodge recommends laser therapy for pets that suffer from joint, hip and arthritis pain. According to the veterinarian, laser therapy is a better, more effective option for older pets when compared to traditional orthopedic surgery.
"An older dog struggling with arthritis may be otherwise healthy, but facing a life expectancy of only two or three more years," said Dr. Hodge. "Orthopedic surgery is an invasive procedure; it may take dogs up to six months to recover. For dogs with a shorter life span, pet surgery just doesn't make sense. Laser therapy is an effective alternative that delivers immediate pain relief without the lengthy rehabilitation period."
The veterinary hospital also offers companion laser therapy as a treatment for skin diseases, snakebites, ear infections and bladder infections. Laser therapy works by stimulating cells and increasing blood flow. This stimulation promotes internal healing and reduces inflammation. Pain signals are also reduced and nerve sensitivity is decreased.
Depending on the size of the pet and health conditions, the veterinarian may recommend multiple treatment sessions ranging from ten to thirty minutes. Smaller pets may require less time, while larger dogs with numerous arthritic areas need a longer sessions.
Dr. Hodge says that results can be seen after just one or two sessions. Most pets receive eight to ten sessions total, for maximum pain relief.
"We've had older, arthritic dogs fall asleep during the procedure," said Dr. Hodge. "This just shows how much pain they were in prior to the treatment. The laser therapy finally delivered relief."
The clinic uses a Class IV laser, which penetrates deep beneath the skin's surface. According to Dr. Hodge, the Class IV laser is the preferred tool for administering laser therapy because of its precision and depth of penetration.
"Other lasers do not penetrate as deeply, so they are less effective for soft tissue pain and orthopedic problems," said Dr. Hodge.
In addition to laser therapy, the animal hospital also offers pet acupuncture and vet holistic care treatments for pain management. Pet owners who wish to learn earn more about may contact the veterinary clinic.
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