If your dog is suffering from cancerous tumors or irritating skin growths, he may be a great candidate for Cryosurgery, an effective, relatively painless procedure that serves as a great alternative to treatments that may require long recovery periods and pose serious health risks.
What Does Cryosurgery Treat?
Cryosurgery, or Cryotherapy, is a minimally-invasive technique used to treat abnormal or diseased tissues such as skin tags, warts, infected or itchy lesions, cysts, and cancerous tumors on pets. Growths on the eyelids and skin, in the perianal area, and inside the mouth and nose have all been successfully treated with Cryosurgery. Cryosurgery is an extremely effective alternative to treatments such as conventional surgery, radiation, or amputation. Dog owners who feel that these more traditional approaches are not suitable for their pet can opt for Cryosurgery. Older dogs, and those who have medical conditions that prohibit surgery, are great candidates for Cryosurgery because the procedure and recovery are simple and quick, and the side effects are minimal.
How Does Cryosurgery Work?
Cryosurgery involves the application of cryogen, or liquid nitrogen, to the area in question. The cryogen “freezes” the area, killing the abnormal cells and halting further growth. The cryogen is applied either as a spray or through a cryoneedle, both of which afford doctors excellent control over the application in order to target the affected area and preserve the surrounding skin. The frozen growth quickly turns red and blisters. Within 2-3 weeks, a scab forms and falls off, revealing healthy, lesion-free tissue in its place. Local or general anesthesia may be necessary based upon the location of the growth and temperament of the dog; however, there are cases in which no anesthesia is required.
How Effective is Cryosurgery?
In many instances, Cryosurgery resolves tumor issues altogether, frequently after only one treatment. Small warts and tumors rarely recur, and cancerous mouth and nasal tumors often go into remission after a single treatment as well. Cryosurgery can also be used in conjunction with traditional surgery in order to improve overall results, target growths in difficult to reach areas, and reduce recovery time.
- Minimal or no anesthetic required
- Same-day, outpatient procedure
- Minimal pain/discomfort
- Simple recovery and after care
- Quick healing, no sutures
- Treats hard to reach/slow-healing areas
- Can combine with conventional surgery
- Affordable
The Animal Medical Center of Streetsboro now offers Cryosurgery with Cool Renewal® for pets. If you think your dog might benefit from this procedure, don’t hesitate to contact us at 330-626-4935 for more information or to schedule an appointment to have your dog evaluated for candidacy.
