Veterinary Laser Therapy After Surgery or Injury

Veterinary Laser Therapy After Surgery or Injury: How It May Support Recovery

When a dog or cat has surgery, suffers a soft-tissue injury, or is recovering from a wound, pain and inflammation are part of the healing process. The goal of veterinary care is not to eliminate that process entirely, but to manage discomfort, protect the injured tissue, and support a safe return to normal function.

One treatment veterinarians may add to a recovery plan is veterinary laser therapy, also known as photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) or sometimes “cold laser therapy.”

At Bliss Animal Hospital in Lake Forest, CA, we offer in-house veterinary laser therapy for dogs and cats when it may provide additional support for pain management, mobility, and tissue recovery.

Laser therapy is not a replacement for pain medication, surgery, wound care, rehabilitation, or follow-up examinations. Instead, it may be used alongside these treatments as part of a broader, individualized recovery plan.

What Is Veterinary Laser Therapy?

Veterinary laser therapy uses specific wavelengths of non-ionizing light that are delivered to targeted tissues. The light is absorbed by cellular components and may influence processes involved in cellular energy production, blood flow, inflammatory signaling, and tissue repair.

This biological response is known as photobiomodulation.

The effect of treatment depends on several factors, including:

This is why veterinary laser therapy should be prescribed according to the individual patient rather than performed using the same settings for every condition.

AAHA includes photobiomodulation among the physical modalities that may be incorporated into veterinary rehabilitation and comprehensive pain-management programs.

Figure: Class III vs. Class IV Veterinary Laser Therapy Penetration Depth

How Can Laser Therapy Help After Surgery?

Surgery temporarily damages tissue as part of the necessary procedure. The body responds with inflammation, swelling, and pain while the surgical site begins healing.

In selected patients, photobiomodulation may be added to the postoperative plan to support:

Postoperative comfort

Laser therapy may help influence inflammatory and pain-related processes around a surgical site.

A 2024 randomized, blinded study evaluated dogs undergoing elective gastropexy. Dogs receiving postoperative photobiomodulation in addition to standard perioperative pain management had lower pain scores during the first several hours following surgery and were more likely to eat during the early recovery period. Importantly, the dogs still received conventional anesthesia and analgesic treatment.

This is an important distinction: laser therapy may complement postoperative pain control, but it does not replace appropriate medications or anesthesia.

Incision and tissue recovery

Photobiomodulation has also been investigated for surgical incision healing.

One small controlled study involving dogs recovering from spinal surgery found that dogs receiving daily laser treatment had improved incision-healing scores compared with untreated controls. Because the study included a small number of dogs, the findings are promising rather than definitive.

The broader veterinary evidence remains mixed depending on the procedure, dose, protocol, and outcome being measured, which is why laser therapy should be presented as a supportive treatment rather than a guaranteed way to accelerate healing.

What Types of Surgery May Be Considered for Laser Therapy?

Depending on the patient and procedure, veterinary laser therapy may be considered after selected:

Whether laser therapy is appropriate depends on the specific surgery, tissue involved, presence of infection or abnormal tissue, and the veterinarian’s assessment.

It should not automatically be applied to every surgical site.

How May Laser Therapy Support Recovery From an Injury?

Laser therapy may also be used for selected traumatic or musculoskeletal injuries.

Examples may include:

After an injury, the veterinary team first needs to determine what has actually been damaged.

A limping dog, for example, could have a mild muscle strain, ligament injury, fracture, joint disease, neurologic problem, or another condition requiring very different treatment.

Laser therapy should therefore follow an appropriate diagnosis rather than replace one.

Can Laser Therapy Help With Wounds?

Photobiomodulation has been studied as a way to support wound and incision healing because of its potential effects on cellular activity, circulation, inflammation, and tissue repair.

In selected cases, laser therapy may be considered for:

The treatment method may differ considerably from treatment of a deep joint or muscle.

For example, open wounds and surgical incisions may require a non-contact technique rather than direct pressure from the treatment applicator.

Wounds also require proper veterinary management. Laser therapy does not replace cleaning, debridement, bandaging, antibiotics when indicated, surgical repair, or treatment of the underlying cause.

Figure: Common Conditions That May Benefit From Veterinary Laser Therapy in Dogs and Cats

What Does a Laser Therapy Session Look Like?

Treatment is generally non-invasive and well tolerated.

During a session:

1. The treatment area is identified.
   The veterinary team confirms exactly which tissue or region is being treated.
2. An individualized protocol is selected.
   Settings may vary based on the diagnosis, treatment depth, pet’s size, coat, and other patient factors.
3. Protective eyewear is used.
   The patient and everyone in the treatment area wear appropriate laser-safe eye protection.
4. The handpiece is moved over or near the area.
   Depending on the condition, treatment may involve direct contact or a non-contact approach.
5. The patient is monitored throughout treatment.
   Many pets experience mild warmth. The team monitors the skin, treatment area, and pet’s behavior for comfort and safety.

Most cooperative dogs and cats do not require sedation solely for laser therapy.

Does Laser Therapy Hurt?

Laser therapy is generally well tolerated when performed appropriately.

Many pets experience gentle warmth at the treatment site and may relax during the session. However, treatment should never simply be assumed to be completely painless.

High-powered therapeutic lasers can create excessive heat if used improperly, which is one reason appropriate dosing, movement technique, equipment, training, and patient monitoring are important. Eye exposure can also cause serious injury, so protective eyewear is required.

How Soon After Surgery Can Laser Therapy Be Used?

Timing depends on the procedure and the veterinarian’s treatment plan.

In some situations, photobiomodulation may be performed immediately after surgery. In others, treatment may begin later during recovery.

The timing may depend on:

There is no universal postoperative laser schedule that applies to every patient.

How Many Treatments Are Needed After an Injury or Surgery?

The number of sessions varies considerably.

A single postoperative treatment may be appropriate in one situation, while a soft-tissue injury or chronic musculoskeletal problem may require several sessions.

Treatment frequency may depend on:

Some pets may transition from more frequent initial treatments to less frequent sessions as their condition improves.

Can Laser Therapy Replace Pain Medication After Surgery?

Usually, no.

Postoperative pain management is often multimodal, meaning several treatments work together through different mechanisms.

A veterinary postoperative plan may include:

AAHA pain-management guidelines emphasize comprehensive, individualized pain-management plans rather than relying on a single modality.

Never discontinue or reduce a prescribed medication simply because a pet begins laser therapy unless the veterinarian specifically recommends doing so.

What About Rehabilitation After Orthopedic Surgery?

Recovery following orthopedic surgery often involves much more than waiting for an incision to heal.

Muscle strength, range of motion, gait, balance, and normal movement patterns may all need to recover.

Veterinary rehabilitation may include therapeutic exercises, controlled movement, massage, range-of-motion work, hydrotherapy, and physical modalities such as photobiomodulation.

Reviews of veterinary orthopedic rehabilitation include laser therapy as one potential adjunct, although the strength of evidence varies by procedure and protocol.

At Bliss Animal Hospital, pets requiring formal rehabilitation beyond the services we provide in-house may be referred to an appropriate rehabilitation specialist.

When Might Laser Therapy Not Be Appropriate?

Laser therapy is not suitable for every pet or every treatment area.

Before treatment, the veterinary team considers factors such as:

If a new lump, swelling, unexplained pain, or neurologic abnormality is present, diagnostic evaluation may be more important than immediately beginning laser treatment.

Why Diagnosis Matters Before Treating an Injury

Laser therapy can be appealing because it is non-invasive, but non-invasive does not mean it should be used without understanding the underlying problem.

For example, a pet that suddenly stops using a rear leg could have:

Laser therapy might play a role in some of these cases, but others could require surgery, imaging, strict activity restriction, or specialist care.

The first question should therefore be:

What is causing the problem?

Only then should the veterinary team determine whether photobiomodulation belongs in the treatment plan.

Veterinary Laser Therapy at Bliss Animal Hospital

Bliss Animal Hospital offers in-house veterinary laser therapy for dogs and cats using the Companion Animal Health CTS DUO+ veterinary therapy laser.

The system allows our veterinary team to select protocols based on factors including species, patient size, treatment area, coat characteristics, and tissue depth.

Laser therapy may be incorporated into care for selected patients recovering from surgery, wounds, soft-tissue injuries, musculoskeletal conditions, and other appropriate medical problems.

Our Lake Forest hospital serves pet owners from Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, and surrounding South Orange County communities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Therapy After Surgery or Injury

Can my dog receive laser therapy immediately after surgery?

Sometimes. Certain postoperative protocols can be performed shortly after a procedure, but timing depends on the surgery, tissue involved, and the veterinarian’s treatment plan.

Can laser therapy help a surgical incision heal?

Some veterinary studies suggest photobiomodulation may support incision healing, but results vary and the available evidence is still developing. Laser therapy should be considered an adjunct to appropriate surgical and wound care.

Can laser therapy help a pulled muscle or sprain?

It may be considered for certain muscle and soft-tissue injuries after a veterinarian determines the nature and severity of the injury.

Is laser therapy safe over stitches?

It may be used around selected surgical incisions when medically appropriate. The veterinarian determines the timing, technique, and treatment settings based on the procedure and tissue.

Will my pet still need pain medication?

Possibly. Laser therapy is often used alongside medication rather than instead of it. Do not change your pet’s prescriptions without speaking with the veterinarian.

Does my pet need to be sedated?

Most cooperative pets do not require sedation solely for laser therapy.

How many sessions will my pet need?

There is no universal number. Some postoperative patients may receive one or a few sessions, while certain injuries may benefit from a longer treatment series.

Can laser therapy replace rehabilitation after orthopedic surgery?

No. Laser therapy may complement rehabilitation, but it does not replace controlled exercise, strengthening, range-of-motion work, or specialist rehabilitation when those treatments are indicated.

Could Laser Therapy Help Your Pet Recover?

If your dog or cat is recovering from surgery, dealing with a soft-tissue injury, or experiencing pain and reduced mobility, laser therapy may be one option worth considering.

The most appropriate treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis and an individualized recovery plan.

Contact Bliss Animal Hospital in Lake Forest, CA to schedule an evaluation and discuss whether veterinary laser therapy may be appropriate for your pet.

Better Care. Better Medicine.

Pet Laser Therapy in South Orange County, CA