Our doctors use the laser almost exclusively for surgical procedures. A laser is a device that generates an intense beam of light at a specific wavelength. A CO2 laser uses an invisible beam of light that vaporizes the normal water found in the skin or other soft tissues. The veterinarian can control the laser and only removes a thin layer of tissue, leaving the surrounding area unaffected.
Using the laser instead of the traditional scalpel blade creates less pain because it seals the nerve endings as it cuts through the skin or tissue. There is also less blood loss as it seals the small vessels during surgery resulting in less bleeding, better precision, and possibly decreased duration of anesthesia. The laser does not crush, tear or bruise resulting is less surgical swelling.