Clinical application of photobiomodulation therapy in a zoological setting

Abstract

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) uses wavelengths of light that have biostimulatory effects on target tissues. This results in three primary therapeutic effects: anti-inflammatory, analgesia and the regeneration of damaged tissues. The application of PBMT is non-invasive, painless and is often used as an adjunctive therapy to multimodal treatment approaches in zoological settings. Individual treatment plans are required; plans must consider species variability in patient size, skin thickness, coat colour and the depth of the target tissue. Treatment can often be achieved through positive reinforcement training and in a minimally invasive way to ensure the welfare of the patient. The medical benefits of PBMT in zoo animals are poorly described in the literature and confounding factors make it challenging to prove treatment efficacy.