Laser in A Dog's World

It was introduced to me, years ago, while our then middle-aged Labrador Retriever needed something more than my talents to augment her health. Proper diet coupled with daily rigorous excercise with her very able-bodied younger brother was not enough. Laser treatments became a remarkable departure from the norm. It was the fortification needed in her formidable day of running, walking and being silly.

Recently, as our 12-year-old yellow retriever, Mr. Wiggles, all 86 pounds of kindness and love, alighted from the stairs to the patio outdoors unexpected cries of pain greeted me and the neighbouring dogs. What had happened since morning? It was now 7:00 pm.

Pain medication for our pup was available, naturally, but as a pet owner of over 55 years, much has evolved in pet health. (Food is medicine, Movement is medicine. Motion is lotion.) ... Processing strawberries, blueberries with celery and cucumbers has become the order of the day for my wiggler. 

These nutritional pain relievers help support the next step - cold laser treatment. (Lumps, previously checked, would be covered with bits of surgical tape so as to be easily seen and avoided. (Bringing heat/energy to lumps can 'energize' them if they are possibly precancerous lesions.) And so it began.

Laser treatments are a serious route to medical health. Medical miracle? For pain management, healing and the reduction of inflammation, preparation is key for this medical treatment. Goggles are worn to protect the eyes of everyone in the room, including the animal. (A towel on top of his head aids in his safety.) All metal surfaces are covered. The device must never be aimed at the eyes. Blindness can occur.

As I entered the animal clinic, the signs were there. ..DANGER!....The door to one room was still open, awaiting the participants while its contents, the covered metal table with the tools of laser were waiting for my Mr. Wiggles to enter. I had been here last week to watch. The miracle had begun its work on him since then.

Laser is not a toy. It is an affordable miracle in a healing device. Rules and regulations have not kept up to this remarkable medical treatment for our dogs. It is buyer beware. It is not a game to play but a powerful, healthy addition for what ails our pets. ..