“Laser” is an acronym for Light Activation by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. We use concentrated light sources as a surgical tool. Einstein developed the theory in the 1920s and it has taken this long to perfect the art, science and equipment to the point of being practical in veterinary medicine.
Many different types of lasers have had applications in both human and veterinary medicine, with CO2 (carbon dioxide) the most practical for treating dogs and cats. Simply stated, the energy created by the carbon dioxide laser is absorbed by the water of the tissues we are using it on (remember, our bodies are made up of nearly two-thirds water). It vaporizes this water, allowing us to remove the tissue that the laser has struck. The great thing is that, because the laser has virtually no effect on the surrounding tissues, we can easily pinpoint the area on which we wish to operate. In addition to being very accurate without disturbing healthy tissue, the laser has many other attributes.
