Veterinary Laser Therapy in Clinical Practice
0.5 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians
Overview:
Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a type of laser therapy increasingly utilized in veterinary medicine as an adjunctive modality in a variety of situations, including pain management, inflammatory conditions, wound healing, and rehabilitation. This continuing education course provides a practical overview of PBMT and its clinical application in veterinary patients. Participants will review the biologic and physics of PBMT, including wavelength, power density, energy dosage, and proposed mechanisms of action at the cellular and tissue levels. Current veterinary literature will be discussed to evaluate the indications and therapeutic effects of PBMT across common clinical scenarios. The course will address practical considerations for clinical use of PBMT, including patient selection, treatment protocols, safety standards, and contraindications. Common applications such as musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, wound management, and post-operative care will be presented to illustrate appropriate integration into veterinary practice. Additionally, the course shares newer modalities for the use of PBMT, including internal medicine usage, allergic dermatitis, as well as dental disease. Designed for both veterinarians and veterinary technicians, this course emphasizes safe, ethical, and informed use of PBMT while supporting interprofessional collaboration within the veterinary healthcare team.
Learning Objectives:
a. What knowledge will an attendee gain from this program?
- Define and explain photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), along with key terminology related to wavelength, dosage, and energy delivery associated with laser therapy in veterinary medicine
- Understand the proposed mechanisms of action of PBMT at both cellular and tissue levels
- Apply general treatment guidelines and safety principles when integrating this therapy into clinical practice
- Summarize current evidence and literature regarding the use of PBMT in veterinary medicine.
- Demonstrate appropriate patient selection for PBMT based on indications and contraindications, in addition to other factors
b. What might they share with their fellow licensees about this program?
- Identify clinical situations in which photobiomodulation therapy may be beneficial
- Evaluate treatment outcomes associated with PBMT in veterinary settings.
- Combine PBMT with traditional methods of treatment for various conditions, incorporating a multimodal approach to commonly seen conditions in veterinary practice
- Develop a basic laser therapy workflow that supports collaboration between veterinarians and veterinary technicians
Ryan McKenzie, DVM
US Animal Health Clinical Training Manager
Indiba/K-Laser USA
Dr. Ryan McKenzie is the U.S. Animal Health Clinical Training Manager for Indiba/K-Laser USA. Prior to assuming this role, he spent five years in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry as a Professional Services Veterinarian (PSV), holding roles within the U.S. Inside Sales department as well as in the field covering the Delmarva/DC region. Before transitioning to industry, Dr. McKenzie practiced for 13 years as a small animal general practitioner primarily in Delaware. He earned his DVM from the Virginia–Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006 and completed an internship in Emergency/Critical Care and Internal Medicine at VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center (VREC) in Norwalk, CT. Dr. McKenzie is deeply committed to veterinary education and research, with particular professional interests in dermatology, internal medicine, and multimodal pain management. He resides in Wilmington, DE, with his wife, Tara—a Licensed Veterinary Technician—their daughters, Anna and Vivian, and their energetic Golden Retriever, Molly.
This course is RACE-approved for 0.5 continuing education credits hours in jurisdictions that accept RACE-approval.
This activity is sponsored by Indiba K-Laser USA.
