Pet Laser Therapy in Duxbury, MA
Pet laser therapy is a gentle, non-invasive way to reduce pain and inflammation and support healing for many conditions in dogs and cats. At Duxbury Animal Hospital, we use therapeutic laser to help pets across Duxbury and the South Shore feel more comfortable — often while reducing the number of medications they need. If your pet is dealing with chronic pain or recovering from surgery, it may be a helpful option.
What Is Pet Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy works by directing focused light into the body, where it’s absorbed by the mitochondria — the part of each cell that produces energy. That added energy helps tired, aging, or injured cells get back to work, which supports healing and reduces inflammation and pain. It’s a low-level, frequency-specific therapeutic laser, meaning it doesn’t cut or burn tissue; instead, it targets specific cells in an area of injury to help them heal. The result is a non-invasive treatment that accelerates the body’s natural healing process.
Please note: therapeutic laser therapy is different from laser surgery. You can learn about surgical laser use on our Pet Surgery page.
How Laser Therapy Can Help Your Pet
- Arthritis and joint inflammation
- ACL (cruciate ligament) tears and other musculoskeletal injuries
- Disc injuries, back, and neck issues (especially in brachycephalic dogs like Pugs and French Bulldogs)
- Post-surgical recovery and incision healing
- Acute injuries such as fractures
- Chronic ear inflammation, skin allergies, and certain bladder conditions
- In cats, it can even help with constipation caused by reduced nerve function to the colon
What to Expect at a Laser Therapy Session
Laser therapy is a calm, almost spa-like experience, and most pets genuinely enjoy it. In many cases, you can stay with your pet while they relax on a comfortable bed and receive the treatment, which feels like a gentle massage as the light penetrates the skin and coat. Sessions typically last about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on what’s being treated, and pets aren’t sedated.
How Many Treatments Will My Pet Need?
It depends on what we’re treating. Acute injuries often resolve in about 5 to 7 treatments, while chronic conditions such as arthritis or back issues may take 14 to 15. Once a pet is comfortable, we establish a maintenance schedule — often monthly for older pets, or every few months for younger pets with less long-standing issues. Laser therapy frequently works alongside veterinary orthopedic manipulation, and the two enhance each other’s effects.
A Note on Safety and Cancer
Care Tailored to Your Pet
Because pets — especially cats — are so good at hiding pain, a thorough exam is the first step in deciding whether laser therapy is right for your companion. For chronic cases, we may ask to review your pet’s medical records beforehand so we can build the best possible plan. This kind of individualized care often complements our Pet Pain Management and Senior Pet Care, and as an AAHA-accredited hospital, we’re committed to thoughtful treatment for every patient.
Compassionate Care Since 1967
For generations, South Shore families have trusted Duxbury Animal Hospital to keep their pets comfortable and healthy. If you’d like to know whether laser therapy could help your dog or cat, we’d be glad to talk it through with you. You can explore everything we offer on our Veterinary Services page.
Schedule Your Pet’s Laser Therapy Visit
If your pet is in pain or recovering from an injury or surgery, laser therapy may help them feel better, faster. Call us at (781) 737-7820 or book online today.