Laser therapy is a novel technique discovered by veterinarians to treat pain, inflammation, wound healing, and arthritis instead of medication. Laser therapy is done by a device that emits three kinds of light beams known as amplification of emitted photons.
What is Hip dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia in dogs is generally known as abnormal changes in a joint and improper placement in the connection between the thigh and pelvic bones. Hip dysplasia occurs due to malformation in the hip joint, a growing genetic disease. These conditions cannot prevent from developing by veterinarians.
The veterinarian can recommend treatments that can assist your dog, decrease the progression, and reduce the discomfort level that occurs due to hip dysplasia to your dog. The suggested treatments range from control of weight to surgery.
Signs or Symptoms of hip dysplasia/arthritis
- Increase in sleeping time
- Weight gain
- Less interest in playing
- Change in behavior
- Reluctant to move
Treatment regimens for hip dysplasia in dogs
A treatment regime for hip dysplasia in dogs depends on
- Age of the dog
- The severity of symptoms
- The severity of the abnormality
- Level of progression of the disease
Many surgical and non-surgical treatments are available to treat hip dysplasia in dogs. Laser therapy for dogs is a new non-surgical treatment. Some surgical treatment options for hip dysplasia are:
- Triple pelvic osteotomy
- Pectineal Myotomy/Myectomy
- Total hip replacement
Non-surgical treatment options for hip dysplasia
- Weight control
Weight control in hip dysplasia patients is essential because hip dysplasia causes more pain, and additional strains are put on by weight due to being overweight.
- Exercise
The right kind of exercise is most important for hip dysplasia but avoid exercise with high impact. The best exercise for hip dysplasia is swimming for dogs.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
These drugs are good for dogs to lessen the pain, but anti-inflammatory drugs can cause side effects like an ulcer.
- Massage
This treatment can help relieve pain temporarily and improve the functions of muscles.
How can laser therapy help to treat hip dysplasia?
Mostly older dogs experience hip dysplasia and arthritis. 4 out of 5 older dogs are affected by arthritis pain. Due to pain, they are on medications like tramadol and gabapentin. Laser therapy is a pain-free, non-surgical treatment. Laser therapy helps out to reduce pain and inflammation by inhibiting the nerve cells.
How does it work?
In laser therapy, the radiations are emitted in the form of light with particular frequencies, and physiological changes occur at the cellular level. The red light or low-level laser light penetrates body tissues with low heating, not causing burning effects. By the penetration of light specific chemical reactions take place called photobiostimulation. This reaction secretes endorphins and heals injured cells fastly. Place the device on the back side of the hip vertically and horizontally.
Treatment protocol for laser therapy
Laser treatment for hip dysplasia and hip arthritis starts for 1.5 minutes and slowly increases the duration within 24 hours up to 4 minutes.
- On the device and set the treatment dosage time to four-minute.
- The device is continuously passed over the infected portion.
- First, place the device on the back of the hip joint for four minutes vertically.
- After the end of the first dosage, set the time to 4 minutes again and set it in the front of the hip joint.
- For four minutes, place the device above the hip joint horizontally.
- For good results, you can repeat it two times a day (Always consult your veterinarian before deciding on dosage for your pet).
Conclusion
Veterinarians apply different treatments to dogs to slow the progression of hip dysplasia and arthritis. For example, surgery, anti-inflammatory drugs, and stem cell injections are the best way to treat arthritis with red light or low-level laser therapy. Because it is pain-free and reduces the pain just after the first session, it is a risk-free procedure. Unlike surgical treatment, there is no need for a cut.