Laser therapy (photobiomodulation) in animals
Laser therapy (photobiomodulation) in dogs and horses: what it is, its uses and what the scientific evidence says.
Short & honest
Laser therapy is used for pain, joint disorders and wound healing, but evidence is weak and inconsistent — evidence grade C.
Veterinary review not yet completed
This page is awaiting review by a registered veterinary surgeon. Until then, treat the text as education based on the sources listed — not as a verified veterinary judgement.
What is laser therapy?
Therapeutic laser therapy — also called photobiomodulation (PBM) — uses light of a specific wavelength to influence cellular processes. The aim is photobiological activation of cells, which would promote healing, pain reduction and anti-inflammatory effects. Therapeutic lasers do not cut tissue; this explicitly distinguishes them from surgical lasers.
The treatment is applied externally via a handpiece that moves over the skin or coat. There is no standard wavelength, dosing protocol or treatment frequency that is widely accepted — this varies greatly per device and per clinic.
What is it used for?
In dogs and horses, laser therapy is most commonly used for:
- Musculoskeletal disorders — osteoarthritis, muscle pain, tendon injuries
- Wound healing — skin defects, postoperative wounds
- Pain management — acute and chronic
- Neurological conditions – recovery after nerve or spinal cord injuries
What does the evidence say?
A systematic review from 2023 analysed 45 studies on laser therapy in dogs, cats and horses [1]. The conclusion is cautious: the results are inconsistent and there is no scientific consensus on optimal application.
Of the six studies specifically on musculoskeletal disorders in dogs, four were randomised controlled trials — the strictest study design. Three of these showed a possible benefit, including some pain reduction and reduced NSAID use in osteoarthritis. However, the clinical relevance remained unclear [1].
Methodological limitations make the studies difficult to compare:
- Small sample sizes
- Missing or inadequate control groups
- Incomplete description of treatment parameters (wavelength, power, duration)
- Wide variation in equipment used
Due to these shortcomings, it is not possible to make reliable statements about effectiveness or to determine which patients benefit most.
Safety
Serious adverse effects have not been reported in the studied literature, provided the treatment is performed correctly [1]. The main safety risk is direct exposure of the eyes to the laser beam: this can cause permanent eye damage in both the animal and the practitioner. Protective goggles are therefore mandatory during every session.
Laser therapy is contraindicated in active tumours or when treating an area with known neoplasia. Application in pregnant animals or directly over growth plates in young animals requires extra caution.
Consideration
| Aspect | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Evidence grade | C — weak, inconsistent |
| Safety profile | Acceptable provided correct execution |
| Consensus on protocol | Lacking |
| Accessibility | Available at specialised veterinary surgeons |
Laser therapy is not a replacement for conventional diagnostics or treatment. Consider it only as an adjunct to a treatment plan established by a veterinary surgeon, and discuss the limited evidence base openly with the treating veterinary surgeon.
Sources: [1] Haussler et al., Animals (Basel) / PMC, 2023 — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9951699/
Why this verdict?
A systematic review (2023) of 45 studies on laser therapy in companion animals and horses found inconsistent results with no consensus on optimal parameters [1]. Available randomised trials are small and methodologically limited, precluding reliable conclusions on effectiveness. This justifies evidence grade C: there are indications but no convincing evidence.
Legal status (Netherlands)
In the Netherlands, laser therapy may only be performed by or under the responsibility of a qualified veterinary surgeon (Wet Dieren).
Sources
- [1] A Systematic Literature Review of Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine: Laser Therapy. Animals (Basel) / PMC, 2023. Systematic review doi:10.3390/ani13040667