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Entry 998Filed under Breeding

Veterinary Laser Therapy for Pets: Uses, Benefits & Safety

Veterinary laser therapy (photobiomodulation) is a noninvasive, vet-supervised treatment for conditions such as arthritis, injuries and wounds. Here is what sessions involve, what the evidence does and does not show, and the safety questions to ask.
5-minute read By Animalso Team
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Veterinary laser therapy is a noninvasive treatment in which a veterinarian moves a handheld device over an affected area. The focused light it delivers is absorbed by cells and tissues, where it may support repair, circulation and recovery. Veterinary guidance lists arthritis, tendon and ligament injuries, traumatic injuries, surgical incisions and wounds as common uses. Used correctly, with appropriate settings and eye protection, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) describes it as safe. The benefits, however, are potential rather than guaranteed, and the evidence is still incomplete for many of the conditions it is used to treat.

What the treatment is

Veterinary laser therapy is usually called photobiomodulation (PBM) or photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT). AAHA’s pet-owner guidance, updated August 21, 2026, describes it as a noninvasive treatment that uses focused light energy. It is different from a surgical laser, which cuts or cauterizes tissue. Therapeutic devices work at lower energy and are not meant to alter tissue structure.

The wavelength of the light determines which tissues absorb it and how deeply it penetrates. Two devices that both call themselves laser therapy can therefore behave differently on the same area, which is one reason the specific device and its settings matter for any individual pet.

What it is used for, and how strong the evidence is

AAHA lists chronic arthritis, tendon and ligament injuries, traumatic injuries, surgical incisions and wounds as veterinary uses. It describes the main clinical benefits as reduced inflammation, reduced pain and improved wound healing. These are potential benefits in selected cases. Laser therapy is not a substitute for diagnosing the underlying problem, and it is usually one part of a broader plan.

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The evidence varies by application. The table below separates what is listed as a use from what the cited sources say about proof of benefit.

Use listed by AAHA What the evidence cited here shows
Chronic arthritis (joint disease) A peer-reviewed veterinary practice article on joint disease concludes that further clinical studies are needed to document benefits and determine optimal parameters.
Tendon and ligament injuries No condition-specific clinical outcome data are reported in the guidance reviewed. The general caution below applies.
Traumatic injuries No condition-specific clinical outcome data are reported in the guidance reviewed. The general caution below applies.
Surgical incisions Listed as a use by AAHA. No condition-specific clinical outcome data are reported in the guidance reviewed.
Wounds Improved wound healing is listed by AAHA as a main benefit. No condition-specific clinical outcome data are reported in the guidance reviewed.

Lindsay Hochman’s 2018 review states that use of laser therapy had become broad, with some indications supported only by anecdote, and that research was still seeking scientific support. Because of this, a mechanism or a long list of common uses should not be read as proof that the treatment works for every condition. No clinical success rate or population-level efficacy figure appears in the guidance cited here, so no percentage of pets improving can be given.

What a session involves

During a session, a clinician moves a handheld wand over the affected tissue. According to AAHA, sessions usually last 15 to 30 minutes. The number of sessions and how often they occur depend on the injury. AAHA gives the following general examples, which are not a prescription:

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Situation given by AAHA Example frequency
Chronic conditions Weekly treatment
Some incisions or open wounds Daily treatment

The veterinarian selects the approach based on the patient, the target tissue, the condition, the device and the goal of treatment. A plan for one pet may look nothing like a plan for another with the same diagnosis.

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What to compare when weighing a plan or clinic

  • The diagnosis being treated and the outcome the veterinarian expects
  • The clinician’s explanation of the evidence for that specific condition
  • Why this device and these settings were chosen
  • Eye protection and other precautions
  • Session frequency and total number of sessions
  • The point at which progress will be reassessed
  • Total cost

Published guidance does not establish a standard price or a single optimal protocol, so quotes and schedules should be judged against the individual case.

Safety

AAHA states: “Laser therapy is safe if performed correctly, using the proper settings and treatment durations.” The same guidance warns that high-powered equipment can cause thermal burns when it is used incorrectly. A laser beam aimed at an eye can cause permanent retinal damage. For that reason, AAHA says both the pet and the veterinary staff must wear protective goggles during treatment.

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Published guidance does not support home use of a therapeutic laser. The safe use described here depends on settings, durations and eye protection that a veterinary team manages.

Eye protection

A peer-reviewed veterinary practice article says eyewear should be specific to the laser in use. Generic eyeglasses or sunglasses do not meet this standard. Before treatment, ask the veterinarian or the device manufacturer to confirm that the eyewear matches the laser’s wavelength and power.

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Clinician precautions to discuss

The same practice article lists precautions that a treating veterinarian should weigh for each patient:

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  • Not treating over malignancies (tumors)
  • Not treating over a pregnant uterus
  • Removing metal items such as collars and leashes from the treatment area
  • Using caution with dark skin and monitoring temperature

These are clinical precautions for a veterinarian to apply. They are not instructions for owners to follow at home.

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Questions to ask your veterinarian

  1. What diagnosis is being treated?
  2. What outcome will count as improvement?
  3. Why is laser therapy appropriate alongside, or instead of, other options?
  4. Which device and settings are planned, and how are the pet’s and staff’s eyes protected?
  5. Are any conditions or treatment areas contraindicated for this pet?
  6. When will progress be reassessed, and what is the plan if there is no improvement?

US device regulation

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees animal devices and can act against misbranded or adulterated devices. However, FDA states: “The FDA does not require submission of a 510(k), PMA, or any pre-market approval for devices intended for animal use.” FDA also says it generally does not regulate how veterinarians use legally marketed devices within veterinary practice. It cautions that labeling for animal devices may be less developed than labeling for approved animal drugs.

A laser used in a veterinary clinic is therefore not automatically FDA-approved, and clinic use is not proof of effectiveness. Owners can ask the veterinarian for the device’s name, its labeling and the reasoning behind its use. This section describes US federal policy only; rules in other countries differ.

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The clinical study cited in this article, by veterinarian Janice L. Huntingford, DVM, MS, DACVSMR, concludes: “Additional veterinary clinical studies are required to document further benefits and determine optimal parameters for all applications.” That conclusion is one practice article’s view, not a consensus statement.

Veterinary laser therapy can be a reasonable option in some cases, provided the diagnosis is clear, the device and settings are appropriate, eyes are protected and progress is measured. Ask the veterinarian to explain those points before the first session.

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