Country Oaks Veterinary Hospital is proud to be one the first veterinary hospitals in our area to provide the many advantages of laser technology to our patients. Now your pet can benefit from the same properties of laser that human patients have experienced for over twenty years: less pain, swelling, and discomfort after surgery, and the ability to resume normal activities sooner. Our practice made this substantial investment so we can offer you the best possible healthcare for your pet.
What is a laser?
A laser is a device that produces an extremely powerful and concentrated beam of light. There are many exciting uses for lasers in medicine, manufacturing, space exploration, research, telecommunications, and for military applications. Years of experience in veterinary and human medicine went into the design of our laser, which was made specifically to provide superior care for patients.
What does a laser do?
The laser has the unique ability to vaporize or "erase" tissue. The laser can be used to make incisions, as well as to erase unhealthy tissue. The laser is so precise that we can selectively remove only a few cells at a time. The laser seals nerve endings, so patients are more comfortable after surgery. Not only does the laser kill any bacteria in its path, it also seals the lymph nodes, reducing post-operative swelling. By sealing tissue, we experience much less bleeding at our surgery sites, and this helps greatly reduce post-op bruising.
Is laser surgery appropriate for your pet?
A laser can perform a wide variety of surgical procedures on cats, dogs, and other animals (including Dr. Booth's goats!). Our doctors will be able to tell you if your pet is a candidate for laser surgery, and will help you decide if this is the best treatment option for your pet.
In summary:
- Less pain and swelling promote quicker recovery.
- Less bleeding simplifies surgery, and may reduce the need for anesthesia (less time in surgery).
- Sanitizing effect of the laser beam reduces the risk of infection.
- Less trauma for you pet.
Dr. Booth says, "You should know that the laser allows me to be much more precise with my incisions. There is much less bleeding and swelling. I can ablate or remove small growths on dogs with topical anesthesia with ease. The declaws are much less traumatic than using the blade--we do not even need to use a tourniquet to prevent bleeding during a routine declaw.
“The last cruciate surgery I did (knee surgery), the dog was walking on her leg the day after surgery; now, that may have due to the dog's pain threshold, but usually a dog will take a good two weeks before it starts to put its foot down.