We are always updating our equipment to give your cat the best, most advanced care possible. Some new additions include:

• Video otoscope, enabling the doctor to examine, clean and flush your cat's ear canals under high magnification with a fiber optic light and camera. Biopsies and laser procedures can also be performed using this device, with photographs of all procedures stored in your cat's medical record.
• Advanced ophthalmic exams using our new large-field ophthalmoscope.
• Warm air blanket available for post-operative recovery and critical care cases. This is the same equipment used in human pediatric care.
• In-hospital urinary culture and sensitivities to give you faster, more economical results.
• Compounding and flavoring to turn nearly any medication into a tasty liquid with the flavoring of your cat's choice.
• Laser surgery is now available for some procedures. Be sure to ask your veterinarian if a laser surgery procedure is appropriate for your cat. See below for more information about laser technology.

What is a laser?

A laser is a device that generates an intense beam of light at a specific wavelength.

How does a laser work?

Our patients are treated with a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, the most widely used type of medical laser in the world. CO2 lasers produce an invisible beam that vaporizes the water normally found in the skin and other soft tissue. Because the laser beam can be precisely controlled, it removes or "cuts" only a thin layer of tissue at one time, leaving the surrounding areas unaffected. This level of control allows your veterinarian to be extremely precise in every laser surgery procedure.

Why laser surgery?

Less pain--The laser seals nerve endings as it cuts, so your cat may require less anesthesia during the operation, reducing the risk of complications. Pain after surgery is also reduced.

Less bleeding--The laser seals small blood vessels during surgery.

Less swelling--Laser energy does not crush, tear or bruise because there is no physical contact with the tissue.

What does this mean for my pet?

Reduced risk of infection--The laser sterilizes as it removes diseased tissue, killing bacteria that cause infection.

Precision--The laser can remove unhealthy tissue without affecting or removing surrounding healthy tissue.

Quick return to normal activities--Healing is rapid and there is less post-operative discomfort.

Laser procedures reduce the trauma to your cat and improve healing.

Are lasers new?

No. Laser technology has been proven to work for more than 20 years. Physicians have used lasers to help many thousands of people. We are pleased to be among the first veterinary practices to offer laser surgery for cats.

What type of procedures can a laser perform?

A laser is ideal for a wide variety of surgical procedures. Onychectomy, or declawing, is well suited to laser technology. Cats declawed with a laser have far less bleeding during the operation and far less pain when recovering. Typeically, bandages and sutures are not required for the laser procedure as they are for traditional surgical declawing. Laser surgery can also correct many common conditions such as cysts, tumors, warts and infections that may occur around the eyes, ears, in the mouth, and anywhere on the skin. Specialized internal procedures are also possible. Our veterinarians here at The Cat Doctor will be able to tell you in your cat's procedure should be performed with a laser.