Neuro Corner Answers

Dr. Andrew Isaacs
DVM Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)
Dogwood Veterinary Referral Center

Primary interests include intervertebral disc disease, seizure management, luxations/fractures of the spine, and surgery for brain tumors

Question

LINDA WOULD LIKE TO KNOW:

Are there are any situations that laser light therapy would not be recommended for pain and nerve stimulation during a disc episode?

ANSWER

Linda, laser therapy is contraindicated for use with tumors.

So, this is why it would be ideal to perform diagnostics (and rule out a tumor) prior to using laser therapy.

Granted, in some cases where finances are limited and the index of suspicion is great enough for a disk herniation laser can be used, but the owner should be made aware of the potential deleterious effects if it is not a disk.

[Editor’s note: It is known laser light energy promotes a reaction which increases cellular metabolism.  Activity of tumor cells could also increase with laser light therapy.]