Pain Management and Laser Therapy in Charlotte, NC
Our approach to pain management for our patients is rooted in our philosophy for compassionate care. We not only understand how difficult it is to watch a beloved pet suffer, we also make it our priority to minimize or eliminate pain and discomfort in all of our patients. We will teach you how to recognize the signs of pain and discomfort in your pet and help you choose the best medicines and therapies to minimize pain.
Some of the key points of our Pain Management Program are:
- Pain management is vital to your pet’s recovery. Multiple research studies have shown the positive effects of reducing pain on the overall healing process. We adhere to these principles at Animal Medical Hospital and 24 Hour Urgent Care.
- Each patient receives an individualized pain treatment plan that is specifically tailored to his or her health status. Our team of doctors has consulted with leading experts in veterinary anesthesiology and analgesia to develop advanced protocols.
- We utilize a balanced, multimodal pain management technique, that blends the synergistic effects of several pain medications together to achieve better control of pain. This significantly lowers side effects and results in better management and reduction of pain in your pet.
- We use advanced pain techniques, including continuous rate infusions, local anesthetics, epidurals, and specialized pain catheters that deliver pain medication directly to the site of discomfort.
- Adjunct methods of physical therapy and acupuncture are also available to manage post-injury or postoperative patients.
- At Animal Medical Hospital and 24 Hour Urgent Care, we consider pain reduction a high priority during surgical procedures and provide pain management before, during, and after surgery.
Laser Therapy
Laser Therapy is an FDA-cleared modality that reduces inflammation and results in pain reduction. Laser Therapy is effective in treating acute pain, chronic conditions, and post-operative pain. It is safe, painless, and fast. Typically, even chronic patients exhibit improvement after 3-5 treatment sessions. Laser therapy utilizes the body’s own healing powers by stimulating cellular activity. Despite short treatment times, laser therapy treatments initiate a healing process that continues to actively reduce inflammation for up to 24 hours after treatment.
If your pet is feeling pain or has inflammation or a wound, the laser is a sterile, pain-free, surgery-free, drug-free treatment. The laser is used to treat a variety of injuries, wounds, fractures, neurological conditions, numerous dermatological problems, and pain.
Whether your pet is rehabilitating from trauma or injury, healing from wounds, or simply aging, the laser has been shown to provide relief and speed healing.
Commonly treated conditions include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Degenerative joint and disc disease
- Hip dysplasia
- Dermatologic disorders
- Acute and chronic ear infections
- Periodontal disease
- Post-operative healing
- Acute traumas
Laser Therapy FAQs
What’s involved with treating my pet?
We deliver the laser light through a non-invasive handpiece to treat the affected area. Your pet will feel a gentle and soothing warmth. As the laser is administered, many pets will relax, much like you would experiencing a good massage. The almost immediate relief of pain will allow your pet to be comfortable and relieve any anxiety that your pet may have initially experienced.
How does it work?
The Companion therapy laser system sends photons, or packets of light energy, deep into tissue without damaging it. These photons are absorbed within the mitochondria of the cells and induce a chemical change called "photo-bio-modulation." This light energy then inspires production of ATP in the cell. ATP is the fuel, or energy, cells need for repair and rejuvenation. Impaired or injured cells do not make this fuel at an optimal rate. Increased ATP production leads to healthier cells, healthier tissue, and healthier animals.
Are there any side effects?
There are no known side effects with this treatment.
What can I expect at home?
You might see a change in activity when your pet comes home. For some it might be increased activity and others may be more relaxed. This is due to the pain relief and reduced inflammation.
How should I support this treatment at home?
There are no specific things you need to do at home, other than follow normal restrictions, dietary needs, and additional treatment protocols as your pet’s condition dictates and is outlined by your veterinarian.
If your pet is in pain, the team at Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care is here to help. Call (704) 334-4684 to learn more about our pain management options.