What is laser surgery?

Laser surgery uses a class IV medical CO2 laser to very precisely cut tissue. The beam is specially tuned to vaporize a thin line of cells. This careful incision cauterizes small vessels, reducing bleeding. It closes microscopic lymph channels, reducing post op swelling. It also seals tiny nerve endings at the surgery site, reducing pain. The following list comes from the American Society of Dermatological Surgeons, but your pet can benefit from the same technology used by Hollywood’s best plastic surgeons.

Lasers may offer you and your dermatologic surgeon the following general benefits:

• Improved therapeutic results
• Reduced risk of infection
• “Bloodless” surgery with most lasers
• An alternative to traditional scalpel surgery, in some cases
• Less scarring, in most cases
• Precisely controlled surgery, which limits injury to normal skin

What is it good for?

Lasers can allow speedier recovery for common surgeries, like spays (Ovariohysterctomies). They reduce bleeding and the risk of seeding an incision with surviving cancer cells when a tumor is removed. Patients feel less pain, swell less and often go home sooner and happier. A laser can allows more surgeries, such as soft palate resection, to be done here. In the old days (last year) they had to be done at a more expensive critical care facility, because the risk of post surgical complications was so high.

Is the laser always used?

The equipment was a major investment. A laser requires additional training, and there are ongoing expenses associated with its maintenance and operation. We don’t want these necessary costs to interfere with the vital need to spay and neuter dogs and cats, helping curb the unwanted pet population. Therefore we are offering it as an option for these surgeries, for the owner that has already committed to having a pet spayed / neutered and agreed to post operative pain medication. This is one more way we can make the surgery as pain free as possible. It is also available for declawing cats, and for removing skin cysts.

The laser is used for non elective surgeries on an “as indicated” basis. That means that if the surgical laser is the best tool for the job, making surgery safer, less painful or speeding the recovery, it will be used.