Laser Therapy for Dogs: What is it and How does it Work?
- Dr Simon Want BVM&S CertVD MRCVS RCVS
- Apr 28
- 8 min read
There are now numerous laser treatments for dogs and either you are reading this because you have a genuine interest in lasers for use in veterinary medicine or, more likely, because you have a pet who you feel may benefit from a laser treatment.
Lasers are typically described by the lasing medium (gas, liquid, solid crystals or diode) and the wavelength. The wavelength produced by the laser ultimately determines the interaction with the tissue.
There are a variety of lasers used in veterinary medicine depending on their intent:
Red light or cold lasers are used widely as therapeutic lasers, for anti-inflammatory effects and wound healing.
Diode and CO2 lasers are surgical lasers and are used to cut or ablate (evaporate) tissue
This article will focus solely on surgical lasers, that is diode and CO2 lasers. Laser treatment, as a term, is really interchangeable between the use of surgical lasers and therapeutic lasers.
In this article we'll discuss:
What is Laser Surgery for Dogs?
Laser surgery uses more powerful lasers to cut or remove tissue instead of traditional surgery with a scalpel blade. Using a CO2 or diode laser offers advantages of speed, accessibility and often improved wound healing to treat conditions difficult to manage with a scalpel blade. It results in less bleeding and often results in less pain.
We can use a laser to cut tissue or remove tissue via ablation. This is when the laser evaporates tissue layer by layer until it is removed. This is great for removing lumps and tumours and to treat a chronic foot condition in dogs termed ‘interdigital cysts’ or CPIF (Chronic pododermatitis & interdigital furunculosis).
The laser beam can also travel down an optical cable allowing us to remove lumps deep in the ear canal, which would otherwise not be accessible. Previously this may have resulted in removal of the entire ear canal, a surgery called a total ear canal ablation.
Veterinary surgeons can also use a laser to remove lumps in the bladder without a full surgical procedure through the tummy.
How Does Laser Treatment Work?
Laser treatment for dogs works in a few different ways, depending on the type of laser that’s being used.
Diode lasers
Diode lasers typically produce light in the wavelength range of 810 to 980 nm. Light in this wavelength is best absorbed by oxyhaemoglobin, haemoglobin and melanin, making it very effective in pigmented tissue. Due to the variety of fibreoptic tips, the diode laser is commonly used through endoscopy (otoendoscopy, rhinoscopy, cystoscopy and arthroscopy) and laparoscopic units. Additionally, since water is not a good absorber, the diode laser can be used in fluid-filled fields. This is very useful when using video-otoscopy with saline deep in an ear canal.
CO2 lasers
CO2 lasers typically produce light in the wavelength of 10,600 nm, which is best absorbed by water. Since tissue has a high water content, CO2 lasers are very effective at excision and ablation of tissues. CCO2 lasers are unable to be used in fluids as the laser will be dispersed rather than focused, rendering it ineffective.
While CO2 lasers are not able to penetrate as deep as diode lasers, this is a huge benefit to limit peripheral tissue injury. CO2 lasers are in the category of ‘what you see is what you get’ because there is minimal peripheral thermal injury during and after the procedure. This makes the CO2 laser the preferred laser for precise excision and ablation of tissue.
Advanced Veterinary Dermatology’s Laser
Here at Advanced Veterinary Dermatology we have both a diode and CO2 laser. We are one of only three veterinary dermatology units in England to have a CO2 laser.
The flexibility afforded by having both types of laser allows us to treat the majority of cases referred for laser surgery as it pertains to skin, foot and ear disease in dogs and cats.
What Happens During Laser Surgery
Scalpel blades have historically been the standard tool for making surgical incisions, but that isn't the case anymore. In many clinical situations, lasers are replacing the use of scalpel blades due to their benefits:
Smaller blood vessels (0.6 mm or smaller) are cauterised, minimising blood loss and bleeding into the surgical field
Nerve endings are cauterised, decreasing pain
Lymphatics are cauterised, decreasing initial inflammation and leading to a decreased overall inflammatory response
Tissue is sterilised, so infectious organisms in the tissue are eradicated
Lasers can also help to decrease the surgical procedure time because of less bleeding in the surgical field. Postoperatively, there is much less inflammation and pain, making recovery a lot smoother and easier on the animal. We often see quicker healing times and better cosmetic results with the CO2 laser compared to a scalpel blade (Carreira and Azevedo 2016).
During the procedure your pet will be under general anaesthetic or sedation, depending on the type of procedure being performed. For many conditions treatment can take place on the same day as consultation, such as skin or ear tumours. However, it may be necessary to see your pet beforehand to diagnose or prepare the area for a more successful procedure. This is common with ‘interdigital cysts’ where medical therapy for a month before laser surgery can increase the chances of both short-term and long-term success.
The Benefits of Laser Therapy for Dogs
Lasers can be used for excision and ablation of tissues. Laser excision is highly beneficial in areas where excessive bleeding can occur, such as the oral cavity, perianal area or foot. Similar to a scalpel, you can place sutures at the laser surgical site for healing. Alternatively, you can leave the area open and allow it to heal by what is called ‘second intention’.
Rather than excising the tissue, one can ablate or vaporise the tissue as well. Since the tissue is vaporised and unable to be evaluated further, it is important to obtain a diagnosis ahead of time. If the defect is small, it is extremely common to allow these areas to heal by second intention.
“In my opinion, postoperative care of secondary intention healing consists of daily cleaning of the area with a topical antiseptic, daily topical application of silver sulfadiazine cream until the area has completely healed and administration of pain management. Keeping the animal from constantly traumatising the area is important to prevent delaying the healing process and so, depending on the area, bandaging can also be performed, although I have seen a higher incidence of secondary infection when bandaging CO2 laser sites for prolonged periods of time. Otherwise, you can place sutures to allow the area to heal by ‘primary intention’.” Dr Simon Want BVM&S CertVD MRCVS
Conditions Laser Can Help Treat in Dogs
Laser treatment can be used to treat dogs and other animals who are suffering with conditions caused by:
Tumors
Infections
Inflammation
Cysts
Dr Simon Want shares photos and signs of these conditions which can be treated with laser therapy. Some pet owners may find some of these images distressing, so you can skip past them if you'd prefer.
Sebaceous adenomas in a dog, (a) before and (b) after CO2 laser treatment.
Perianal adenoma in a dog (a) before and (b) following CO2 laser treatment.
Use of the CO2 laser enable cauterizing of the blood vessels.
Ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma in the ear of a cat. (a) On otoscopic examination, (b) after removal with instruments (notice the remnants of the tumour still present) and (c) after CO2 ablation of the remnants of the tumour.
Dog with severe oral papillomas (viral warts) (a) before and (b) following CO2 laser ablation.
Coalescing viral pigmented plaques in a dog that are causing distortion of the prepuce. These would be very difficult to remove with a scalpel. Miniature Schnauzers & Pugs are predisposed.
Ceruminous cystomatosis in a cat with characteristic blue-purplish nodules which are located on the pinnae as well as completely occluding the entrance to the external ear canal. (a) Before and (b) following CO2 laser ablation of the ceruminous cystomatosis at the entrance of the external ear canal and on the pinna.
Proliferative otitis externa in a dog. (a) Before treatment, showing complete occlusion of the entrance of the external ear canal.
(b) Following CO2 laser ablation of the proliferative tissue at the entrance and slightly into the vertical part of the external ear canal.
(c) Three weeks after treatment, showing a normal ear canal with some scarring present at the CO2 laser treatment site.
‘Interdigital cysts’ - CPIF (Chronic pododermatitis & interdigital furunculosis)
Interdigital furunculosis in a dog. (a) Dorsal lesion protruding interdigitally, which was noticed by the owner and prompted presentation to the veterinary practice.
(b) Swelling noted on the palmar aspect of the paw interdigitally.
(c) Following CO2 laser excision of the interdigital lesion, which was left to heal by second intention.
Acral lick granuloma. Laser used to remove excessive tissue and sterilize the remaining tissue.
Laser Therapy as Part of a Holistic Treatment Plan
The conditions, such as tumours, may be cured by laser surgery but some may be part of a wider, holistic process.
For instance the case with proliferative disease blocking the ear canal was seen in a dog with allergies. This may recur if we do not proactively treat the underlying allergic disease.
Viral papillomas or warts can be seen on dogs with issues related to their immune-system or secondary to some drugs they may be on and this will need to be addressed. Dogs with CPIF or ‘interdigital cysts’ often have developed this due to allergies or conformational issues and is commonly seen in dogs with short hairs, such as Bulldogs. All factors that caused this need to be addressed or the problem is very likely to recur.
Next Steps for Your Dog
If you think your dog or cat would benefit from laser surgery talk to your home vet and let them know that it is available at Advanced Veterinary Dermatology. Your vet may be able to refer your pet for laser therapy.
Alternatively, you are free to contact us yourselves to possible treatment or book an appointment
Laser Treatment Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Laser Treatment Sessions Are Needed?
Most tumours can be treated in one session. However, Cystomatosis in cats may require one to two sessions and ‘interdigital cysts/CPIF in dogs can take more than one session as well.
If all the feet are affected in a CPIF case we may expect numerous visits to take place.
How Long Does it Take my Dog to Recover From Laser Surgery?
Small lumps may heal in around 1-2 weeks and larger deficits up to 3 weeks.
‘Interdigital cysts’/CPIF cases are the exception. Expect up to 2 weeks bandaging and cleaning of the wound in the foot followed by socks and boots for a further 4 weeks until healing has finished. Although healing can be slow with this condition the dog is more comfortable in the long-term thanks to the advantages of laser surgery.
Keep in mind additional costs will likely be incurred for post-operative care.
Is Laser Treatment Safe for Dogs?
Yes. Laser surgery is generally considered safe for dogs and often better tolerated than traditional surgery with a scalpel blade.
Sources and References:
Comparison of the Influence of CO2-laser and Scalpel Skin Incisions on the Surgical Wound Healing Process. Carreira & Azevedo 2016.
Pathogenesis of canine interdigital palmar and plantar comedones and follicular cysts, and their response to laser surgery. Duclos, D.D., Hargis, A.M. and Hanley, P.W. (2008), Veterinary Dermatology, 19: 134-141.
Written and Approved by:
Dr Simon Want BVM&S CertVD MRCVS
RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Veterinary Dermatology
Director of Advanced Veterinary Dermatology Ltd
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