According to the Cedar Way Veterinary Clinic, the benefits of neutering your dog include: decreased roaming, decreased urine marking or spraying, decreased aggression, reduction in mounting behavior, reduction in prostate disease, elimination of testicular cancer risk and decreased risk for perianal tumors or hernias. Neutering, the removal of the male dog̵7;s testicles, can be performed with a scalpel or with laser surgery. Laser surgery has many benefits but also carries some risks. As with any surgery, careful after care and observation is important.
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Laser Surgery History
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Lasers have been used in human surgery for decades, according to the Animal Health Care Center. Lasers replace the scalpel as a surgical instrument. Surgeons must get special training in the proper use of surgical lasers, and lasers are high-cost compared to scalpels. For these reasons, lasers have only recently become available to treat pets, according to the Canis Major website.
After Care
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Laser surgery results in less pain for the dog, according to the website Canis Major. A dog that feels little pain after surgery may be more likely to attempt to resume her regular activities before her wound heals. After laser surgery, it is important to keep your dog quiet and relatively still. Additionally, in some cases laser surgery may not heal as quickly as traditional surgery. Carefully monitor your dog for any problems after laser surgery.
Laser Precision
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The laser cut can remove desired tissues accurately. This prevents the removal of excess tissue and minimizes the damage done by the operation. This precise cutting also reduces the need for anesthesia, according to the Anasazi Animal Clinic. Your dog should come out of anesthesia more quickly after laser surgery than with traditional surgery, and may be able to go home sooner.
Less Pain & Drugs
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While traditional scalpel cuts leave the nerves exposed and the wound open, the laser cuts seal the nerve endings and small blood vessels. This results in dramatically reduced post-operative pain in the tissue along the cut, and reduces the amount of pain medications and tranquilizers needed during the recovery period.
Reduced Risk for Infection
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The laser sterilizes the cut as it moves, and cauterizes the wound. This seals the tissue and prevents bacteria from entering the blood stream. Less infection means faster recovery time with less need for antibiotic treatments, according to the Animal Health Care Center.
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