Laser Surgery

What is a Laser?

Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A laser is a device that generates an intense beam of coherent light that can cut, seal or vaporize tissue.

Laser technology, with its medical use dating back to the early 1960's, reduces trauma to your pet, shortens recovery time, and often decreases the length of hospital stays for your loved ones. We are among the top 20% of hospitals nationwide offering laser surgery.

Why should I choose laser surgery for my pet?

A summary of the benefits the laser will provide you and your pet are:

• Less pain
• Less bleeding
• Less swelling
• Extreme precision
• Reduced risk of infection
• Quicker recovery
• Some procedures done under local anesthesia.

Surgical lasers have become a very important part of Veterinary medicine. The advent of the surgical laser has improved the treatment of many disease states previously treated with a scalpel or electrosurgical unit. The laser provides the surgeon with improved hemostasis (less bleeding) while significantly reducing the pain and swelling due to its unique properties. For most general practitioners, the CO2 generated wavelength of energy provides the greatest application in soft tissue cases with the least negative impact on surrounding tissue.

What Type of Procedures Can a Laser Perform?

A laser is ideal for a wide variety of procedures for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, horses and other animals. The most widely recognized procedure amongst pet owners is the feline laser declaw. Additional procedures include but are not limited to the removal of cysts, tumors and warts, as well as specialized internal procedures. Wart and small moles can be removed under local anesthesia (instead of general anesthesia) as an out-patient procedure. Pet coming in for grooming or some other minor stuff can get these ugly warts and moles taken off, so they don’t bleed during combing and grooming. Most of the time, no sutures are needed.

PETS value the clinical benefits of laser surgery:

Reduced Risk
Some of the procedures can be done under local anesthesia (local numbing), eliminating need and risks of general anesthesia.

Reduced Pain
The CO2 laser beam seals nerve endings as it cuts through tissue. This reduces the amount of pain the patient feels during and after surgery.

Reduced Bleeding
The CO2 laser beam cauterizes and seals small blood vessels as it cuts. This laser energy achieves hemostasis and provides the surgeon with a bloodless surgical field in most procedures.

Reduced Swelling
There is no physical contact between the laser and the surgical region, eliminating the tearing and bruising of tissue associated with traditional surgical methods. Lymphatic vessels are also sealed.

Reduced Infection
Laser energy acts as an antibacterial agent by producing high temperatures, effectively eliminating microorganisms.

Quicker Recovery
As a result of all of the above, laser surgery provides the benefit your clients will appreciate the most: a quicker recovery for their pet.