What are the benefits of laser surgery?
Laser surgery involves using a high intensity light of a single wavelength to perform a task, in this case, to cut tissue. The most common laser used in practice today is the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. The benefits of using the laser over conventional scalpel based surgery are; less bleeding, decreased post operative pain and shorter anesthesia. Since the laser uses a high intensity light, this will cauterize or stop bleeding of any blood vessel smaller than .4mm in diameter. The laser reduces pain because of the focal or small width of cut of the laser beam itself and the fact that it cauterizes nerve endings to decrease pain. The shorter anesthesia is based on both the previous benefits. Since there is less bleeding and it's pinpoint accuracy, the surgery time in most cases is minimized.

How does a laser work?
The CO2 laser uses a sealed tube of gas that when an electrical charge is initiated, sends the molecules to a higher energy state. These higher energy electrons are then focused out a tube and thru a small diameter tip which is used for the surgical application. Lasers (Light Amplified Stimulated Evoked Response) come in a variety of types and the types used depend on the surgical application. The CO2 laser which is used at Northside, is used because of it's wide variety of applications. We have been a pioneer in the use of laser surgery in private veterinary practice and have a vast procedure base to draw from.

How do I know if Laser Surgery is right for my pet?
Most surgical procedures can be either done completely with the laser or at least be laser assisted. The laser is like a scalpel and since most surgery involves cutting tissues, the laser can be used for this. If you would like to have the laser used or if you just don't know and are interested if the laser would be a better alternative to conventional surgery, please feel free to ask.