Veterinary dermatology often recommends surgical procedures to facilitate a more accurate diagnosis or provide a quick recovery path. The specialists are skilled at utilizing surgical procedures to improve the treatment outcomes of your pet. And because dermatologists were among the first to use CO2 laser surgery, your pet will spend less time in the hospital and get back to normal more quickly as they treat even the most severe skin conditions.
Pet Skin Surgical Procedures
Dogs and cats, like humans, can develop dermatological problems. Untreated skin problems cause constant scratching and licking, which can lead to other health issues for your pet. Below are some of the most common skin surgical procedures that your pet may require.
Tumor and Mass Removals
Most pets will develop a lump or bump on internal or external tissue during their lifespan. Surgical removal can treat or even cure many types of skin tags, skin masses, and tumors. After removing the mass, your veterinarian can send it to a laboratory for additional diagnostic testing to determine whether it is malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous). Because some skin tumors can spread or grow back in the same location, it is crucial to check your pet regularly.
Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery is a medical procedure that involves rapidly freezing tissue to destroy abnormal or unwelcome skin lesions such as skin tags, warts, cysts, and more. A cold substance (nitrous oxide) is expertly applied with pinpoint accuracy to a pet’s lesion. The tissue will scab, or ‘crust,’ over within a few days of the procedure and fall off within 14 days. Cryosurgery is a quick and painless procedure that does not require sedation and causes little discomfort to your pet. Visit the vet website and their surgery page for more details.
Skin Biopsy,
The most common type of surgery performed on pets is a skin biopsy, which involves obtaining a small skin sample or a skin lesion to provide more detailed information about a specific disease, infection, growth, or tumor—usually performed as an outpatient procedure requiring only local anesthesia. This procedure aids in accurately diagnosing deep infections and immune-mediated diseases, classifies tumors as benign or malignant, and addresses other diagnostic needs.
Biopsies are one of the most informative procedures they can perform on your pet. Combined with expert interpretation of the biopsy sample, they can mean the difference between identifying the correct path toward problem resolution and wrong or incomplete diagnosis. Visit websites like IrvinePetComplex.com to find out more.
C02 Laser Surgery
Veterinarians use CO2 laser surgery to perform more advanced and efficient surgical procedures, often with much less pain in recovery. The ear canal is one location where CO2 lasers are frequently used. They can also be beneficial in areas with good blood supply and potential for excessive bleeding, like the nose. Dermatologists can use this tool to make precise incisions with less bleeding than traditional surgery.
Because dermatologists frequently see patients with multiple lesions, CO2 laser surgery is well suited to our field. Traditional surgery for multiple lesions can take hours of cutting and suturing each site with a CO2 laser; however, they can often complete the procedure in half the time, and healing is rapid. Search for “veterinarians near me” if you’re looking for dermatologists that perform this.
Bottom Line
Veterinarians are committed to giving you and your pet a calming and compassionate experience because they know that having surgery can be very stressful. Surgical procedures are commonly required as part of your pet’s health care plan. While many pet owners regard surgery as a last resort for their pets, early surgical intervention can often prevent further disease progression, provide relief, and improve your pet’s quality of life.
