CO2 Laser Surgery for Pets
Benefits of Laser Surgery
At our hospital, we utilize a surgical CO2 laser for many surgical procedures. LASER stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A laser is an optoelectronic device that produces highly concentrated light rays. In laser surgery, a highly focused laser beam can efficiently ablate (either vaporize or chip away) the living tissue.
At the same time, it seals capillaries, small blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerve endings, with significant benefits to both patients and surgeons. What does this mean for your pet?
- Less Bleeding: As it cuts, the laser seals small blood vessels. This drastic reduction in bleeding enables many new surgical procedures that are not practical with conventional scalpel.
- Less Pain: The CO2 laser beam seals nerve endings and lymphatics, resulting in less edema and pain. The patient experiences a far more comfortable post-operative recovery.
- Reduced Risk of Infection: This is one of the unique features of the CO2 laser beam. It efficiently kills bacteria in its path, producing a sterilizing effect.
- Quicker Recovery Time: Reduced risk of infection, less bleeding, less pain and less swelling often allow the patient a far quicker recovery after the surgery.
Ask our staff about our CO2 laser and how this surgical instrument can benefit your pet.
Laser Declaw Surgery for Cats
In addition, our hospital is capable of providing a less painful surgical procedure for declawing using the CO2 laser. If you must resort to declawing your pet, our hospital can perform laser declaws using the CO2 laser which improves recovery times and decreases pain associated with the declaw procedure.
We recommend to all cat owners that are considering declawing their cat to take the decision seriously and seek alternate, less invasive options such as scratching posts/pads, frequent nail trimming, soft paws, feline pheromones, feliscratch or other environmental enrichment. Please see the attached document for alternative options.
If these alternative options are unsuccessful or declawing is required for medical reasons, we can offer CO2 laser declawing as a last resort.
Please note that if you elect to have your cat declawed, you must review & sign our Declawing Position Statement.
