Photo/LAVINIA KERR LASER THERAPY AIDS CAT'S LIFE. Dr. Natalie Soligo and Erin Savoie, of the Glendale Veterinary Hospital in Caledon demonstrate the laser therapy Ginger, a 15-year old domestic short-haired cat, had to relieve the pain of arthritis. One of the newer advances in veterinary care is now available in Caledon. In keeping with a steady expansion of facilities and services over the last few years, Glendale Veterinary Hospital on Charleston Sideroad has instituted low-intensity laser therapy for dogs and cats.

Some significant treatment successes have already been seen since the therapy became available in March. One of the resident house cats is a prime example. Until three weeks ago, a beautiful orange tabby named Ginger who keeps watch over the front reception area was lame in her left front leg and stiff on her hind end. Now she exhibits no lameness and has been taken off the anti-inflammatory medication she had been receiving on a regular basis.

Glendale Veterinary Hospital's Dr. Cathy Hooper credits the new laser equipment with the dramatic turnaround.

Low-intensity laser therapy is becoming increasingly popular as a non-invasive form of therapy for pets as well as people suffering from a wide variety of ailments. It works by stimulating the body's natural healing mechanisms at the cellular level.

Specifically, laser light produces photons (light energy). These photons are absorbed into cells within the damaged tissue and then oxygen is released. This oxygen increases the metabolism of damaged cells, allowing for more normal function and ultimately stimulating the healing process.

Low-intensity laser therapy can be used to treat arthritis, muscle or tendon injuries, skin wounds, back pain, joint pain and other musculoskeletal illnesses. Laser therapy may also provide pain relief, resolve inflammation, increase the speed and quality of tissue repair, boost the immune system, help resolve infection, and improve the function of damaged nerve tissue by reducing the scar tissue surrounding it.

The hospital's laser is hand-held, and delivers laser light through the skin surface. It is painless and pets appear oblivious to the treatment as it is being delivered. The only inconvenience is a minor one: hair must be shaved from the treatment area to allow for proper light penetration.

Depending on the nature and severity of the injury, most animals require 10-15 initial treatments and then might return every month or so for follow-up treatments.

More information can be found on the hospital's website at www.glendalevethospital. com.