Texas Equine Veterinary Association

www.texasequineva.com | 35 Although the dose used at our clinic is anecdotal, we believe there is a significant clinical effect, especially in the treatment of wounds. A typical treatment protocol involves once daily treatment for 5 days then every other day treatment for an additional five treatments, for a total of ten treatments. One limitation of this modality is the frequency of required treatment. Daily treatment can be extremely challenging if the practitioner is in an ambulatory setting, or if hospitalization of the patient is not possible for some reason. In cases where hospitalization is not feasible and the horse cannot be returned to the clinic daily for treatments, we have treated with the laser one time per week for the duration of the 10 treatments or until the wound has healed. When used as an adjunct or sole treatment of wounds we have subjectively seen a reduction of healing time and an increased quality of healing. When prolonged wound healing is expected, the ability of the clinician to reduce that time and return the horse to normal activity is very beneficial, and the client is typically receptive to the cost of treatment. e laser has many proposed effects on tissue. Some of the most important effects of the laser includes an increase in capillary perfusion, enhanced efficiency of ATP production, increased oxygen delivery to the tissue and more efficient uptake and release of oxygen in the tissues. Most commonly this modality, in our practice, has been used in significant wounds in which a long period of convalescence and healing is predicted. However, it should not be overlooked as a potential treatment for minor wounds and post-operative surgical wounds and incisions. In most cases the decrease in healing time is worth the cost to the client for the treatment. Large neck wound August 17, 2022 Close up of large neck wound, August 17, 2022 Same neck wound aer weekly laser treatments for 3 weeks (total of 3 treatments) on September 9, 2022 Neck wound on September 21, 2022 aer 6 laster treatments. Post operative dehiscence of surgical wound, post sequestrectomy. September 19, 2022 Same post operative wound aer daily laser treatment on September 21, 2022. ree days aer initial picture.

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