What is radiosurgery?

Radiosurgery uses high frequency radio waves to cut tissue.

Why should I choose radiosurgery instead of regular surgery that utilizes a scalpel?

In addition to cutting tissues, the high frequency radio waves instantly seals small nerve endings and capillaries (small blood vessels). 

Why is it important to seal small blood vessels and nerve endings?

By sealing the nerve endings, less pain is transmitted to the brain. 

Sealing capillaries reduces post-operative bleeding.  Bleeding vessels bring “hormones” that tell nerves there is pain at this site and also the stretching of cells that occurs in swollen tissues causes pain.  Think of your finger after a sprain, it becomes very swollen and a lot of the pain is caused by the excessive swelling and resultant stretching of cells.

When should I choose radiosurgery?

Animals undergoing spay, neuter, hernia repair, most plastic surgeries, dewclaw removal, declaw, or resection of small growths will glean the most benefit.

Will my pet still need pain-killers?

Absolutely yes.  Though radiosurgery helps reduce the amount of pain your pet may feel, it cannot eliminate pain.  It is well recognized that animals feel pain but humans do not recognize all the behavioural changes that painful animals exhibit.   Animals also have a limited means of expressing discomfort – after all they can’t talk to us.

Any surgery whether using a scalpel, a laser, or radiosurgery requires judicious use of pain-killers at the time of the procedure and for a period after surgery.  Sometimes this can be accomplished with long acting pain-killers that we inject.  Sometimes we will send home pain-killers for you to administer.  Each animal is an individual and, just like humans, some are affected to a greater or lesser degree by pain.  If you think your pet is affected to a greater degree by pain then radiosurgery, along with pain-killing medications, may be the best choice for your pet.

Please ask one of our Animal Health Technologists about radiosurgery if you are interested in this for your pet.