title: Low-level laser therapy: Case-control study in dogs with sterile pyogranulomatous pododermatitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a therapeutic photobiostimulation with properties in reducing swelling, inflammation, and promoting tissue healing. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate LLLT in sterile pyogranulomatous pododermatitis in five dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  In each dog, one lesion was designated as the control (treated with a 0.0584% hydrocortisone aceponate spray), and one or more other lesions were treated with a gallium aluminum arsenide-laser, daily for 5 days. Lesions were scored before treatment (D0), at the end (D4), 16 days after the last laser treatment (D20), and after 2 months (D65).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparing the treated lesion group with the control lesion group, the clinical score was similar at D0, whereas there was a statistically significant difference at D4 and D20; in the treated group over time, there was a statistically significant improvement between D0, D4, and D20. Lesion recurrence was absent in more than 50% of the treated lesions at D65. No adverse reactions were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the positive results of this first clinical study, it would be interesting to extend the study to confirm the validity of this type of therapy in sterile pyogranulomatous pododermatitis in the dog.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences for Health, Animal Production and Food Safety (VESPA), University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Perego
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences for Health, Animal Production and Food Safety (VESPA), University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Proverbio
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences for Health, Animal Production and Food Safety (VESPA), University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zuccaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences for Health, Animal Production and Food Safety (VESPA), University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Spada
keywords: case-control study; dog; low-level laser therapy; skin; sterile pyogranulomatous pododermatitis