NEW TREATMENT FOR PETS SHERRY MARTELL The News

Lisa Smith and Dr. Tim Farrow hold Homer, a cocker spaniel, at the East River Animal Hospital recently. The clinic is using a special laser to treat chronic pain in animals. Sean Kelly – The News

NEW GLASGOW – Pet owners in Pictou County now have access to a new veterinary technology.
East River Animal Hospital veterinarian Dr. Kathryn Finlayson said they recently acquired a new piece of equipment at their New Glasgow clinic allowing them to treat some types of injuries with laser therapy.
"It was something we wanted to bring in because it wasn't available anywhere else locally," said the vet. "There are traditional therapeutic drugs available for pain, but this is an option too."
She said many pet owners are looking for more natural treatments for chronic conditions rather than using high doses of traditional drugs.
Laser therapy is used to reduce inflammation by breaking down inflammatory mediators in the body to bring down swelling and edema.
"The purpose of it is to try to wean them off anti-inflammatory drugs, or use less drugs," she said. 
It can be used to treat chronic arthritis, or other joint inflammations, bladder problems, and other conditions determined on a case-by-case basis during an exam.
Finlayson said ultimately they want to reduce the quantity of prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, possibly reducing the risk of side effects such as gastrointestinal ulcers or gut ulcers.
"In older animals you can have problems with liver and kidney functions," said the vet.
She said the technology has been used in human health care for a number of years but recent advances in technology now enable veterinarians to offer its benefits to their furry, four-legged clients as well.