Low level laser therapy for the healing of contaminated wounds in dogs: Histopathological changes

The study was conducted on 18 dogs, divided into three groups comprising of 6 animals each. In group 1- dressing of contaminated wounds was done with antiseptic liquid and antibiotic injected parenterally. In group 2, dressing of contaminated wound was done + low level laser therapy (10 Hz + 5 min, 3 Joule, for 5 consecutive days) + parenteral antibiotic. In group 3, dressing of contaminated wound was done along with low level laser therapy (20 Hz + 10 min, 6 Joule, for 5 consecutive days) + parenteral antibiotic. The biopsy punch was collected from the site on days 0 and 14. No apparent differences could be observed between the non-laser treated group and the laser treated groups with respect to histopathological examination except for the thicker epidermis noticed in five cases of the laser treated group as compared to that in non-laser treated group. It was concluded that low level laser therapy has no significant effect on healing of contaminated wounds in dogs.