Journal of Veterinary Research and Clinical Care

Restoring Carbon Dioxide Homeostasis Through Low-Level Laser Applied Over Jugular

Abstract

Travis Sammons and David Huff

Carbon dioxide (CO�??) homeostasis is essential for maintaining acid–base balance and cellular function, yet strategies to enhance CO�?? clearance remain limited. This study investigated whether jugular-applied coherent low-level laser therapy (LLLT) could modulate arterial CO�?? in dogs with chronic hypercapnia. Ten Beagles were randomized under a doubleblind protocol to receive a single 15-minute session of 640 nm LLLT (n = 5) or a sham placebo device (n =5).

Arterial PaCO�?? was measured before and after treatment. The LLLT group exhibited a significant reduction in PaCO�?? (−1.28 ± 0.80 mmHg; p = 0.023), whereas the placebo group showed no meaningful change. Between-group comparison confirmed a significant treatment effect (p = 0.027; Cohen’s d = 2.01). These findings suggest jugular-applied LLLT may acutely promote systemic CO�?? clearance, potentially through mitochondrial activation and vascular modulation.

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