PHOTOBIOMODULATION FOR PAIN, MOBILITY & RECOVERY
Therapeutic laser treatment may provide additional support for pets experiencing arthritis, inflammation, muscle soreness, orthopedic injuries, postoperative discomfort or reduced mobility.
Aliso Beach Animal Clinic offers veterinary laser therapy for dogs, cats and selected exotic pets in Laguna Beach using K-Laser equipment. The treatment is also known as photobiomodulation, low-level laser therapy or cold-laser therapy.
Laser therapy delivers selected wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to targeted tissues. Depending on the condition and treatment settings, this light may influence cellular activity, local circulation, inflammation and pain signaling.
We use laser therapy as one component of an individualized veterinary plan—not as a substitute for diagnosing the cause of pain or illness.
A treatment plan may also include:
Our veterinarian will examine your pet, review the diagnosis and determine whether laser treatment is appropriate, which tissues should be treated and how response will be measured.
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Veterinary laser therapy is a noninvasive treatment that directs therapeutic light energy toward a selected area of the body.
The more precise medical term is photobiomodulation therapy. “Photo” refers to light, “bio” refers to living tissue and “modulation” refers to influencing biological activity.
Therapeutic laser treatment is different from:
The therapeutic K-Laser used at Aliso Beach Animal Clinic is applied externally with a handheld treatment head. No incision is made, and most patients remain awake throughout treatment.
Some people use “cold laser” as a general term for photobiomodulation. Higher-powered therapeutic devices may create a mild warming sensation, however, so “cold” does not necessarily mean that no warmth will ever be felt.
The American Animal Hospital Association’s veterinary laser resource provides a general overview of photobiomodulation as a supportive option for pain, inflammation and tissue recovery.
Photobiomodulation uses selected wavelengths of visible red and near-infrared light. When an appropriate dose reaches tissue, light may be absorbed by cellular molecules and influence biological processes.
Proposed effects include:
The response depends on more than simply shining a light on an area. Treatment variables include:
More energy is not automatically better. An appropriate dose must be selected for the tissue and clinical goal.
A 2023 veterinary review describes photobiomodulation as an adjunctive, noninvasive modality using red and near-infrared light, with growing evidence for some conditions but mixed or limited evidence for others. You can review the peer-reviewed veterinary photobiomodulation update.
Laser therapy is widely used in veterinary rehabilitation, sports medicine, pain management and general practice. However, the quality and consistency of research vary substantially.
Published studies differ in:
This variation makes it difficult to assume that the results of one protocol apply to every device, disease or patient.
The 2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines classify laser therapy as a physical modality that may be considered as an adjunct for selected acute or chronic pain cases. The guidelines also emphasize diagnosis, multimodal treatment and regular reassessment.
Review the AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.
The American College of Veterinary Surgeons notes that laser therapy is commonly recommended as part of rehabilitation, although strong evidence remains limited for some orthopedic applications.
For that reason, we do not promise that laser treatment will:
We establish specific goals and continue treatment only when it provides a meaningful benefit for the individual pet.
Laser therapy is most commonly considered for painful, inflammatory or rehabilitative conditions.
It may be incorporated into the treatment of selected pets with:
A consultation does not guarantee that laser therapy will be recommended. Unexplained pain, swelling or lameness may require laboratory testing, radiographs, ultrasound, advanced imaging or surgical evaluation before treatment begins.
Osteoarthritis is a progressive joint disease that can cause pain, inflammation, stiffness and reduced function.
Signs may include:
Laser therapy cannot restore missing cartilage or permanently correct an unstable joint. It may be used to help manage discomfort or inflammation in selected patients.
Arthritis is generally managed most effectively through a multimodal plan that may include:
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Laser therapy may be incorporated into rehabilitation plans for selected orthopedic conditions, including:
A patient should receive an appropriate orthopedic diagnosis before repeated laser treatment is used to manage lameness.
Laser treatment cannot mechanically stabilize:
Reducing discomfort without addressing significant instability may allow continued abnormal movement and progressive joint damage.
Schedule an orthopedic examination when a limp:
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Laser treatment may be incorporated into recovery after selected orthopedic or soft-tissue procedures.
Possible goals include:
Laser treatment is not a replacement for:
The timing and area treated depend on the surgery, tissues involved, implant location, healing stage and surgeon’s instructions.
The AAHA pain guidelines emphasize that perioperative pain control should rely first on appropriate analgesic medication, local anesthetics, nursing care and other proven measures. Physical modalities such as laser may be added when appropriate, but should not replace foundational pain management.
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Photobiomodulation may be considered as supportive treatment for selected wounds, incisions and inflammatory soft-tissue conditions.
Before treatment, the veterinarian must determine:
Laser therapy cannot clean a contaminated wound, remove dead tissue, drain an abscess or close a significant tissue defect.
Any wound that is deep, contaminated, painful, swollen, draining or failing to heal requires veterinary evaluation.
Back or neck discomfort may result from muscle strain, arthritis, disc disease, nerve compression, trauma or another neurologic condition.
Laser treatment may be incorporated into the care of selected stable patients, but treatment should not begin until serious causes have been considered.
Seek prompt veterinary evaluation when your pet:
Laser treatment must not delay emergency evaluation, advanced imaging or surgery when spinal-cord compression is suspected.
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Older pets may have multiple overlapping sources of discomfort, including arthritis, muscle loss, spinal disease and chronic medical conditions.
Laser therapy may be considered when the goal is to:
For a pet with advanced or terminal disease, treatment is continued only when it provides benefit without creating excessive travel, handling or stress.
Laser treatment does not cure cancer or reverse advanced degenerative disease.
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Laser therapy and acupuncture are different treatment methods, but they may be incorporated into the same multimodal plan.
Some pets tolerate one method better than the other. Some receive both. The choice depends on the diagnosis, treatment goal, temperament and response.
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Not automatically.
Pets receiving laser treatment may still need:
Never stop or reduce prescribed medication solely because your pet appears better after a laser session.
Medication changes should be based on sustained improvement, the underlying disease and veterinary guidance.
Laser therapy should not be used to guess at the cause of unexplained pain, weakness, swelling or weight loss.
Depending on the symptoms, evaluation may require:
Testing helps determine whether laser therapy is appropriate and whether another treatment is more urgent.
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Before beginning treatment, the veterinarian reviews:
The area may be examined for swelling, heat, pain, muscle tension, wounds or changes in range of motion.
Therapeutic laser light can injure the eyes. Appropriate protective eyewear is used for people in the treatment area, and the pet’s eyes are protected according to the treatment location and equipment protocol.
The laser is never intentionally directed into the eyes.
A handheld treatment head is moved over or positioned near the selected area according to the prescribed protocol.
Depending on the treatment settings, your pet may feel:
Most pets remain awake. Sedation is generally not required solely for routine laser therapy.
However, no procedure should be described as completely sensation-free for every patient. A pet with an extremely painful injury may react to handling even when the laser itself is well tolerated.
Treatment time depends on:
Many individual treatments take only several minutes. A session is not automatically 30 minutes, and a longer session is not necessarily more effective.
Most pets can return home without a special recovery period from the laser treatment itself.
Continue all prescribed:
Laser therapy may reduce discomfort before the underlying tissue has fully healed. Do not allow unrestricted activity simply because your pet appears more comfortable.
There is no universal treatment schedule.
Frequency depends on:
An acute injury or postoperative plan may involve a shorter series of more closely spaced treatments.
A chronic arthritis patient may begin with a trial series followed by less frequent maintenance treatment when a clear benefit is sustained.
Some pets do not need maintenance therapy. Some show no measurable improvement and should not continue indefinitely.
Response should be evaluated through observable function and comfort—not simply because the pet appeared relaxed during treatment.
Before beginning, record or video your pet:
Possible signs of benefit include:
We reassess whether the treatment is producing enough improvement to justify continued visits and expense.
Therapeutic laser treatment is generally considered low risk when the patient has been properly evaluated, appropriate settings are used and eye-safety precautions are followed.
Potential concerns include:
Laser therapy is not completely risk-free and should not be marketed as having no possible adverse effects.
The veterinarian may modify, postpone or avoid treatment when:
Pregnancy, reproductive tissue, growth plates, implanted devices and other medical considerations should be discussed with the veterinarian before treatment.
Dogs commonly receive laser therapy for arthritis, orthopedic conditions, muscle soreness and postoperative recovery.
Cats may also be candidates, particularly when arthritis or reduced mobility is present. Treatment must be adapted to feline handling needs and tolerance.
Selected exotic pets may receive therapeutic laser treatment when:
Call before scheduling so our team can review your pet’s species and medical concern.
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“Cold laser” is a commonly used term for photobiomodulation. Some therapeutic devices can create mild warmth, so veterinary laser therapy or photobiomodulation is often more precise terminology.
Most pets tolerate treatment well. Some feel nothing, while others may feel gentle warmth or contact from the treatment head. Handling a painful area can still cause discomfort.
Usually not. Most routine treatments are performed while the pet is awake. A patient that is extremely frightened, painful or unsafe to handle may need a modified plan.
Many treatments take several minutes, but the time varies according to the number and size of areas being treated and the prescribed dose. Treatment is not automatically 30 minutes.
The number depends on the diagnosis and response. Some acute conditions use a short treatment series, while chronic conditions may begin with a trial followed by maintenance only when benefit is sustained.
Some owners notice a change after an early treatment, while others observe gradual improvement after several sessions. Some patients do not show a meaningful response.
No. It cannot restore lost cartilage or reverse arthritis. It may help selected patients manage discomfort as part of a broader arthritis plan.
It cannot mechanically repair or stabilize a significantly torn ligament. It may be used for surrounding discomfort or rehabilitation, but an unstable joint may still need surgery.
Not automatically. Many patients benefit most from a combination of medication, weight management, controlled exercise and supportive therapies. Do not stop medication without veterinary guidance.
Yes, in selected cases and at an appropriate stage of recovery. It does not replace pain medication, incision care, activity restriction or postoperative examinations.
A known or suspected tumor requires veterinary evaluation before treatment. Laser should not be applied over a mass without the veterinarian considering the diagnosis, treatment goal and available evidence.
It is generally low risk when performed appropriately, but no treatment is completely free of risk. Eye injury, excess heating, handling stress and delayed diagnosis are potential concerns.
There is generally no recovery period from the laser session itself. Existing restrictions related to surgery, injury or disease still apply.
Yes. Cats with selected painful or inflammatory conditions may be candidates when they tolerate treatment safely.
Selected exotic patients may be treated, depending on species, anatomy, diagnosis, temperament and the ability to deliver a safe protocol.
Cost depends on the consultation, condition, number of areas treated and recommended treatment schedule. Our team can provide current pricing after reviewing your pet’s needs.
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Therapeutic laser treatment is most useful when it is connected to an accurate diagnosis, realistic goals and a complete pain or rehabilitation plan.
Aliso Beach Animal Clinic provides K-Laser photobiomodulation for dogs, cats and selected exotic pets experiencing arthritis, chronic pain, orthopedic injuries, postoperative discomfort and reduced mobility.
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Aliso Beach Animal Clinic
30816 Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Directly across from the Montage Laguna Beach
Monday–Friday: 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Medical review: Reviewed and certified for medical accuracy by Bryan Hayter, DVM, Owner and Medical Director. Last reviewed July 2026.
