Class IV Laser Therapy for Your Pet

Dr Marvin Firth uses Class IV laser therapy (also called photobiomodulation) to help reduce pain, ease inflammation and support tissue healing in dogs and cats. It is one of several tools we can use as part of a personalised treatment plan for your pet.

What is Class IV laser therapy?

Class IV laser therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to gently warm and treat tissues beneath the skin. This light energy is absorbed by cells and helps them work more efficiently. In simple terms, it can:

Help reduce inflammation and swelling
Improve blood flow to injured areas
Help the body’s own pain‑relieving systems work more effectively

Treatments are given using a handheld device moved slowly over the affected area. Most pets feel only a gentle warmth and often relax or even fall asleep during a session.

What conditions can it help?

Laser therapy is most often used for:

Arthritis and long‑term joint pain – to help reduce stiffness, improve comfort and support mobility
Back and neck pain – as part of a broader treatment plan that may include medication and rehabilitation
Soft‑tissue injuries – such as muscle, tendon or ligament strains
After surgery – to help wounds heal more quickly and comfortably
Some skin and wound problems – where better blood flow and reduced inflammation may support healing

Every pet is different, so we always examine your animal and discuss their diagnosis before recommending laser treatment.

What happens during a treatment session?

Laser sessions are designed to be calm and stress‑free:

No sedation is needed in most cases
Your pet will usually sit or lie comfortably while we treat the area
A typical session lasts from a few minutes up to around 15 minutes, depending on what we are treating
Many treatment plans start with several sessions in the first couple of weeks, then taper off as your pet improves

You will be able to stay with your pet during treatment, and we will let you know what changes to look for at home.

Is laser therapy safe?

When used correctly by trained veterinary professionals, Class IV laser therapy is generally considered very safe. We carefully adjust the treatment settings to suit your pet’s size, coat and condition, and we avoid using laser over areas where it would not be appropriate (for example, over certain tumours or eyes).

Because it is non‑invasive and well‑tolerated, laser therapy can be especially helpful for:

Older pets
Animals that cannot take higher doses of some pain medications
Patients recovering from surgery

How strong is the evidence?

Laser therapy is not a magic cure, but research in dogs and cats suggests it can be a useful part of a wider plan:

Studies in dogs with arthritis have shown improvements in pain scores and activity levels after a course of laser treatment, with some dogs able to reduce their pain medication under veterinary supervision.
Research in dogs and cats after surgery has found that laser‑treated wounds may show less swelling and fluid build‑up, and can heal more quickly and with better tissue quality than untreated wounds.

Because of this, we recommend laser therapy as an add‑on to – not a replacement for – good diagnostics, appropriate medicines, surgery when needed, weight management and physiotherapy or rehabilitation.

Is laser therapy right for my pet?

The decision to use laser therapy will always be based on a full veterinary examination and, where needed, diagnostic tests such as X‑rays or blood work. Together, we will discuss:

Your pet’s condition and overall health
What you are hoping to improve (for example, pain, mobility, or wound healing)
How laser sessions can fit alongside other treatments

If you would like to know whether Class IV laser therapy could help your dog or cat, please contact Dr Firth to arrange a consultation.

Key scientific references (for interested owners and professionals)

Deli, G., et al. “The effect of a Class IV therapeutic laser on post‑surgical wound healing in dogs and cats.” The Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research (post‑operative wound healing, reduced swelling and improved tissue quality compared with untreated areas).
Macfarlane, P., et al. “Preliminary clinical experience of low‑level laser therapy for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis‑associated pain: A retrospective investigation on 17 dogs.” The Veterinary Journal 2020 (reported reductions in pain scores and improved activity in osteoarthritic dogs after a laser treatment course).
General reviews on veterinary laser therapy and photobiomodulation discussing mechanisms (reduced inflammation, modulation of pain pathways, improved microcirculation) and clinical applications in small animals.