Beam Me Up!

Cold laser is a non-invasive procedure that uses light to increase blood circulation. At a specific wavelength, laser light stimulates cells to “do” things quicker than normal, like decrease pain and inflammation and speed up healing. Cold laser therapy treats the surface of the skin without burning it, while hot laser treatments go deeper (and often burn or cut tissue).

Often called Class IV laser therapy, it has been around for over 40 years. It has been tested successfully on humans, and now about 20 percent of the nation's companion animals are benefiting from the treatment. Therapy covers a wide variety of conditions including acute and chronic injuries, sprains and strains, arthritis, ear, skin and back problems. Really, patients who suffer from any combination of pain, inflammation or slow healing wounds benefit from laser therapy. Interestingly, through the release of endorphins, cold laser treatments also decrease stress.

Laser therapy appointments often provide a relaxing effect, perhaps the patients actually enjoy the treatment (remember laser can reduces stress by producing endorphins!)! At our clinic we use a room large enough for the family to gather and often a mat or blanket is provided for the patient to lie or stand on. A typical session lasts between 3 to 20 seconds. The appointments usually take between 15 and 20 minutes and are very affordable. Freshly closed incisions often require a mere single treatment. Other laser applications for chronic conditions treat diseases like ear infections, skin bruising, back pain, arthritis and neurologic problems. They often require multiple treatments, depending on the severity and chronicity (how long the disease has been around). We often base the number and interval of therapy sessions on how the patient responds.

Of course the symptomatic relief and healing response is primary, but laser therapy's secondary effects are numerous and include medication reduction. Besides the stress relief, the treatments themselves are pain free. It's not really alternative therapy, instead we consider it a type of integrative approach.

Cold laser therapy can “beam up” patients to a higher quality of life, as well as the life of their surrounding family!

By, Dr. Dawn Mehra, North Idaho Animal Hospital, 320 S. Ella St. Sandpoint Id 83864

www.idahovet.com, ask@idahovet.com.

Are You Ready for Your New Puppy?

Doing your research and preparing your home are keys to success

Many families buy puppies during the holidays, only to become overwhelmed.

Bringing a dog home can be a 15-year commitment, not to mention a huge financial and emotional responsibility. Many families do not realize how much work raising a puppy entails. Sadly, many holiday puppies end up in shelters come January.

Animals can bring joy into their human's lives, but only if people are ready to keep a canine companion healthy and safe. Here are some tips for anyone considering getting a puppy for the holidays:

- Make sure that a dog will fit into your lifestyle. Do you have the money to pay for food, routine and emergency vet bills and training costs? Will you be home to care for your puppy? If not, will you be able to find or hire a sitter? Can you handle paw prints on your floors and dog hair on your furniture? If you answer "no" to any of these questions, you might want to get a lower-maintenance pet instead.

- Puppy-proof your home before you bring Fido home. Puppies will chew on anything in reach. Some people hide or bundle loose cables and wires as a preventative measure. Place houseplants out of puppy-reach, and keep floors clear.

- Make sure your puppy has a kennel or a bed as it will need its own space.

- Do your research before getting your puppy. Many pet stores are fronts for puppy mills, where ill dogs face horrendous abuse. Consider adopting from an animal shelter; one out of every four shelter dogs is a purebred animal. If you really don't want to adopt, look for a reputable breeder who will let you see their breeding facilities and meet your puppy's parents.

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