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Advances in Veterinary
Medicine
Medicine
Laser Surgery
Lasers have been used in human medicine for decades. Until recently, it's use was not
cost-productive in veterinary medicine. Now, many practitioners are implementing laser
surgery into their practices.
cost-productive in veterinary medicine. Now, many practitioners are implementing laser
surgery into their practices.
The most common surgery performed
with a laser is a cat declaw. These cats
recover quicker and exhibit less
post-operative pain. Bleeding during
the surgery is minimal to absent.
Owners should expect to pay more for
a laser declaw.
Small skin tumors can also be removed
with a laser, sometimes without general
anesthesia. A local anesthetic is
infused into the area where the tumor
will be removed.
Some practitioners are making all of
their surgical incisions with a laser.
Patients appear to recover quicker and
with less discomfort.
with a laser is a cat declaw. These cats
recover quicker and exhibit less
post-operative pain. Bleeding during
the surgery is minimal to absent.
Owners should expect to pay more for
a laser declaw.
Small skin tumors can also be removed
with a laser, sometimes without general
anesthesia. A local anesthetic is
infused into the area where the tumor
will be removed.
Some practitioners are making all of
their surgical incisions with a laser.
Patients appear to recover quicker and
with less discomfort.
Laparoscopic Ovariohysterectomy
Many hospitals, especially specialty clinics, are starting to use laparoscopes to
perform intra-abdominal surgery. The newest surgery emerging is the basic
ovariohysterectomy, or spay, in female animals. Some European countries are
performing ovariectomies (only removing the ovaries and leaving the uterus) with
success. It is still standard in the United States to remove the entire reproductive
tract. The advantages of laparoscopic surgery over the standard surgery are:
decreased pain, shorter recovery period, and fewer postoperative complications. The
disadvantages are: cost of equipment, need for extensive training, and longer surgical
procedure. It is expected to become quite popular in the near future for many clinics.
perform intra-abdominal surgery. The newest surgery emerging is the basic
ovariohysterectomy, or spay, in female animals. Some European countries are
performing ovariectomies (only removing the ovaries and leaving the uterus) with
success. It is still standard in the United States to remove the entire reproductive
tract. The advantages of laparoscopic surgery over the standard surgery are:
decreased pain, shorter recovery period, and fewer postoperative complications. The
disadvantages are: cost of equipment, need for extensive training, and longer surgical
procedure. It is expected to become quite popular in the near future for many clinics.
Percutaneous Laser Disc Ablation
PLDA is a preventative procedure for intervertebral disc disease. It was developed by
a veterinarian at Oklahoma State University and over 350 dogs have undergone the
procedure since 1993. This procedure is recommended to help prevent disc material
from protruding into the spinal column. This is helpful in dogs that have a history of
disc protrusion, or in dogs that are prone to developing intervertebral disc disease
(dachshunds).
a veterinarian at Oklahoma State University and over 350 dogs have undergone the
procedure since 1993. This procedure is recommended to help prevent disc material
from protruding into the spinal column. This is helpful in dogs that have a history of
disc protrusion, or in dogs that are prone to developing intervertebral disc disease
(dachshunds).
The pet is anesthetized and several needles are placed through the skin into the disc
spaces in the mid-back area. A radiograph is performed to confirm proper placement,
then a laser is applied to the needles. This coagulates the disc material, and makes it
highly unlikely for the disc material to ever protrude into the spinal column. This
procedure is 98% effective. More information can be found at
www.dfwvetsurgeons.com under Topics of Interest.
spaces in the mid-back area. A radiograph is performed to confirm proper placement,
then a laser is applied to the needles. This coagulates the disc material, and makes it
highly unlikely for the disc material to ever protrude into the spinal column. This
procedure is 98% effective. More information can be found at
www.dfwvetsurgeons.com under Topics of Interest.