VCI News
Nov 11, 2025
A public consultation is being held to obtain a broad range of feedback from individuals and organisations on the use of Laser Therapy on animals.
Who we are
The Veterinary Council of Ireland is a statutory body set up under the Veterinary Practice Act 2005, as amended, and is under the aegis of the Minister of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine. The principal function of the Veterinary Council is to regulate the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing in the Republic of Ireland, in the interest of animal health and welfare and in the interest of veterinary public health.
The functions of the Veterinary Council include protection of the public through the supervision of veterinary education, the maintenance of the Register of veterinary practitioners and veterinary nurses, the registration of veterinary premises, and through disciplinary action in cases of professional misconduct.
Purpose of this Public Consultation
Laser therapy is increasingly being used in veterinary practice for therapeutic, surgical, and rehabilitation purposes. Its applications include pain management, wound healing, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, and surgical tissue ablation.
Questions arise as to when the use of laser therapy constitutes an act of veterinary medicine and, therefore, falls under the regulation of the Veterinary Council of Ireland and would be restricted to use by only veterinary practitioners and veterinary nurses working under the direction of veterinary practitioners.
The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on the appropriate classification and regulation of laser therapy when used in animals, specifically regarding when the use of laser therapy should be defined as an act of veterinary medicine. This is particularly relevant given the increasing use of therapeutic lasers by both veterinary professionals and non-veterinary practitioners in animal care.
Background
Laser therapy (also referred to as photobiomodulation therapy) involves the application of light energy to tissue to achieve therapeutic effects such as pain relief, reduction of inflammation, and enhanced tissue healing.
Lasers are categorised by their power output and potential for tissue interaction and hazard to the eye or skin of both humans and animals. The commonly used classifications are:
|
CLASS |
POWER OUTPUT | TYPICAL USE |
RISK LEVEL |
| Class 1 | <0.4 mW | Laser printers, CD players | Negligible |
| Class 2 | <1 mW (visible) | Laser pointers, alignment tools | Low (eye hazard only if stared into) |
| Class 3 | >1–500 mW | Therapeutic lasers (low-level) | Moderate (eye and skin hazard) |
| Class 4 | >500 mW | Surgical and high-intensity therapy lasers | High (Can cut/burn tissue, eye hazard |
While Class 1 and 2 lasers are generally considered non-invasive and present minimal biological risk, Class 3 and 4 lasers can produce significant tissue effects and potential harm if misused. Class 4 devices, in particular, are capable of generating heat sufficient to cause burns or tissue ablation.
Definition of the practice of veterinary medicine
Section 53 of the Veterinary Practice Act 2005, as amended defines the practice of veterinary medicine as follows:
(1) In this Act, the practice of veterinary medicine means any one of the following—
(a) in relation to an animal—
(i) diagnosing disease, injury, pain, deformity, defect or state of health,
(ii) identifying and carrying out treatment, whether surgical or medical in nature, of any matter referred to in subparagraph (i),
(iii) performing a surgical procedure,
(iv) giving advice, following an action referred to in subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) as to care required,
(v) furnishing a written certificate as to the doing of any action referred to in subparagraph (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv),
(b) in relation to an animal or products of animal origin, performing such functions as may be conferred on veterinary practitioners from time to time by the Minister for the purpose of giving effect to—
(i) any provision of the Treaties governing the European Communities,
(ii) any regulation, directive or other act adopted by an institution of the European Communities, or
(iii) a judgement of the European Court of Justice,
relating to certification on live animals or products of animal origin,
(c) in relation to an animal remedy, performing a function conferred on a registered person by or under any enactment, whether passed before or after the passing of this Act.
(2) In subsection (1)(a)(i), “diagnosing” includes the following:
(a) diagnosing the cause of death of an animal; and
(b) examining the reproductive organs of a mare via the rectum.
Veterinary Nursing
Section 91 of the Act relates to veterinary procedures that may be carried out by a registered veterinary nurse:
(1) Subject to section 92 “veterinary nursing” means carrying out any procedures to which subsection (2) applies and other cognate phrases shall be construed accordingly.
(2) This subsection applies to the following procedures on animals:
(a) those carried out by a veterinary nurse, while assisting and in the presence of a veterinary practitioner—
(i) holding and handling tissue during performance of surgical procedures,
(ii) induction, maintenance and termination of general anaesthesia, including performance of endotracheal intubation,
(iii) assisting at the performance of surgical procedures that are not minor,
(iv) assisting at the performance on an animal of a caesarean section operation or other surgery to assist her to give birth to her young;
(b) those carried out by a veterinary nurse, under the direction of a veterinary practitioner—
(i) administration of medication enterically, intraosseously, or intravenously,
(ii) catheterisation, surgical treatment of abscesses and ulcers, application of external casts and cutaneous suturing,
(iii) the taking of images by x-ray,
(iv) the carrying out of minor medical procedures or minor surgery;
(c) procedures standing prescribed under section 92 and, if the carrying out of any such procedures is made subject to conditions specified under that section, those procedures if carried out in compliance with those conditions.
(3) In paragraphs (a)(iii) and (b)(iv) of subsection (2), “minor” relates to a procedure or surgery that does not involve entry beneath the skin, mucosa or into the cornea.
The VCI has interpreted ‘under the direction’ to mean that the veterinary practitioner instructs the veterinary nurse as to the tasks to be performed but is not necessarily present.
Prior to carrying out any of the above procedures, a veterinary nurse must be satisfied that they have sufficient competence and experience to perform the procedure, taking into account the case at hand, and to react appropriately in the event of complications.
Consultation Questions
Stakeholders are invited to comment on the following questions:
Classes 1 and 2 Laser Therapy
Class 3 Laser Therapy
2. In your opinion, does the use of Class 3 laser therapy fall within the definition of the practice of veterinary medicine and therefore should it be restricted to veterinary practitioners and veterinary nurses?
3. If you believe Class 3 laser therapy should be restricted to veterinary professionals:
Class 4 Laser Therapy
4. In your opinion, does the use of Class 4 laser therapy constitute the practice of veterinary medicine, and therefore should it be restricted to veterinary practitioners and veterinary nurses?
5. If you believe Class 4 laser therapy should be restricted to veterinary professionals:
Additional Questions
6. What safeguards or professional guidelines do you think would best ensure animal welfare and treatment efficacy for each of class of laser?
7. Are there any other factors or criteria that should influence how laser therapy is classified and regulated within veterinary practice?
How will your feedback be used
Submissions from the consultation will inform the Veterinary Council in its work in considering and/or drafting any position statement on laser therapy in animals.
Data Protection
As a Data Controller, the Veterinary Council of Ireland is subject to the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
All information gathered during this consultation will only be used for the purpose of assisting the Veterinary Council of Ireland’s review of its Premises Accreditation Scheme. Analysis of responses will be carried out by the Veterinary Council of Ireland.
The Veterinary Council of Ireland will be publishing a summary report of responses received. All responses to the consultation will be anonymous and any identifiable information provided will not be published. Any report that is produced would remain on the Veterinary Council of Ireland website, and as part of the Veterinary Council of Ireland’s report archive.
You have several rights under data protection legislation, including but not limited to, the right to access the data you have provided; the right to rectification of your data; the right to be erased from the dataset; the right to restrict or object to the processing of the data you have provided. The Veterinary Council of Ireland’s full Data Protection Statement is available here
If you would like further information on your rights as a data subject, please contact our Data Protection Officer at info@vci.ie
Freedom of Information
The Veterinary Council is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI Act). The FOI Act is designed to allow public access to information held by public bodies which is not routinely available through other sources, and access to the documentation and results generated, including opinions, from this consultation may be sought in accordance with the FOI Act. Subject to the FOI Act, exemptions to personal data and other information will be applied as appropriate and necessary.
How to provide your feedback
Please send your comments, views or submissions by email, titled Laser Therapy in Animals to info@vci.ie by the 3 December 2025.
Further information
If you have any questions about this consultation or require further information, please email info@vci.ie
Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.
