Application of veterinary laser therapy in Cauda Equina Syndrome

Introduction

Cauda equina syndrome can cause pain, motor dysfunction, incontinence, and other symptoms in pets, severely affecting their quality of life. Without timely treatment, permanent nerve damage may occur. Traditional treatments mainly involve surgical decompression and medication for symptom relief, but some cases are limited by surgical risks or prolonged recovery periods. High-power laser therapy is an advanced physical treatment method with rapid effects and no side effects. In recent years, it has been widely applied in veterinary medicine. By delivering high-energy-density laser irradiation, it promotes tissue repair, alleviates pain, and improves blood circulation.
This report documents the clinical application of the Vetmedix (VETMEDIX) veterinary laser device in treating cauda equina syndrome in a cat, demonstrating how high-power laser therapy brings comfort to pets.

01 Case Presentation

• Name: Xiao Mai
• Breed: Ragdoll
• Weight: 4.3 kg
• Age: 2 years
• Gender: Female
• Acute/Chronic: Chronic phase
• Medical History: None
• Owner’s Complaint: Hind limb paralysis after bathing, unable to walk normally

02 Diagnosis

Diagnosis: Cauda Equina Syndrome

03 Vetmedix High-Power Laser Treatment Plan

• Treatment Dates: June 17, 2025 – June 25, 2025
• Treatment Course: Once daily initially, then reduced to once every two days after three sessions
• Treatment Protocol: “Feline – Chronic – Musculoskeletal” under preset protocol
• Adjunctive Therapy: Xinde-Neuros PO (1 tablet/day), acupuncture
• Treatment Technique: Using the standard treatment head, cross-circular and continuous zigzag scanning techniques were applied over the L7-Cd5 region.

04 Treatment Results

05 Case Summary

Short-Term Recovery:
The veterinary team at Afu Animal Hospital administered laser therapy to Xiao Mai. After six consecutive sessions of Vetmedix high-power laser therapy, her recovery progress was visibly evident:

• The tail base, initially completely weak, regained voluntary movement with a frequency close to the healthy side.
• She could stand briefly and walk short distances unassisted, with a symmetrical gait and no stumbling.
• Her appetite returned to pre-illness levels, and her mental state became significantly more active.

Long-Term Follow-Up:
After discharge, Xiao Mai underwent a comprehensive re-examination at the hospital. Her hind limbs showed good recovery, walking ability gradually normalized, and urinary/defecatory functions were restored without adverse reactions.

Conclusion

This case strongly demonstrates the remarkable efficacy of Vetmedix (VETMEDIX) small animal high-power laser therapy in treating cauda equina syndrome. High-power laser therapy utilizes photobiomodulation (PBM) for non-invasive treatment, improving local blood circulation, reducing inflammation, and accelerating tissue repair. This significantly shortens the functional recovery period and avoids the side effects associated with long-term, high-dose analgesics in traditional treatments.

06 Attending Veterinarian

Huang Mengqiang
Veterinarian, Afu Animal Hospital

Professional Profile:
Graduated in 2019 from Jiangsu Agricultural and Forestry University with a degree in Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine. Began clinical practice in small animal medicine in June of the same year and has worked for several years in large animal hospitals in Hangzhou. Received systematic training in soft tissue surgery, ultrasonography, ophthalmology, and other specialized courses for dogs and cats.

Expertise: Cat-friendly diagnostics and treatment, soft tissue surgery, abdominal and cardiac ultrasonography, internal medicine, dermatology, and ophthalmology in dogs and cats.

Hospital Introduction:
Afu Animal Hospital, located in Tianshan District, Urumqi, was established in 2018 by a team dedicated to advanced technology and animal welfare. It is a 24-hour comprehensive animal hospital offering diversified services, primarily focused on pet healthcare. Equipped with state-of-the-art small animal diagnostic and treatment technologies, a professional veterinary team, high-quality medical services, and excellent client reputation, the hospital features a bright and spacious environment with advanced medical facilities.

The hospital includes designated areas for registration, waiting, preventive medicine consultation, internal medicine, ophthalmology, orthopedics, dentistry, intensive care, isolation, central treatment, pharmacy, laboratory, CT room, DR room, operating room, inpatient ward, and infusion zone. To ensure precision in services, the hospital is equipped with millions-worth of specialized instruments, including:

• Sinovision 32-layer small animal CT
• Esaote Doppler ultrasound
• Laparoscopy system
• Ultrasonic energy platform
• Anesthesia workstation
• DR imaging
• IDEXX hematology analyzer
• Midmark dental workstation
• Mindray biochemistry analyzer

Electronic medical records are maintained for all patients, ensuring data informatization management. The hospital provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for routine and complex conditions, with specialized departments in orthopedics, ophthalmology, dentistry, cardiology, thoracic/abdominal/urogenital diseases, feline medicine, geriatric metabolic disorders, dermatology, anesthesia, and laboratory diagnostics. These departments have earned recognition from peers and receive referred cases.

All medical staff are graduates of accredited veterinary programs in China, with practicing veterinarians holding nationally recognized veterinary licenses issued by the Ministry of Agriculture. With years of clinical experience, the team delivers comprehensive and skilled care.

To better serve pet owners, the hospital also offers professional grooming, styling, scientific feeding advice, and a self-selection area for premium pet supplies.

Our Slogan:
“When your beloved companion meets our unwavering dedication, your love and commitment will be met with our utmost effort!”

Our Goal:
Leading technology, attentive service, advanced equipment, and fair pricing.

Guided by the principle of “Respect for life, integrity, kindness, and companionship,” we strive to cleanse ailments, ease pain, and continuously improve our expertise and service quality. We aim to advance the development of animal healthcare in Xinjiang and build a trusted animal hospital brand.