Greenwood Veterinary Care is now offering laser surgery as an alternative method to traditional surgery. With a CO2 laser, the target area is met with an extremely precise beam of laser light, unlike traditional surgery where we use a scalpel or scissors. This method can be used to make incisions, in addition to vaporizing or “erasing” unhealthy tissue if necessary. This method allows our veterinarians to cut areas cleanly and precisely with minimal effect to tissues surrounding the targeted area, minimizing pain, swelling, and bleeding that can typically be associated with traditional surgery. Using a CO2 laser will also kill any bacteria in its path and helps to seal lymphatics, reducing the risk of postoperative infection and swelling. You may schedule an appointment with one of our veterinarians to discuss if your pet is a candidate for laser surgery and determine if this is the best course of treatment for your pet!
We are also incorporating Regenerative medicine into our practice! Regenerative medicine is used as a method to utilize the body’s own cells to heal and regenerate damaged tissues in acute and chronic conditions. Regenerative medicine is a better alternative to medication because it is more proactive and involves little to no side effects after administration. It is used as a method to generate healing and is found to be more cost effective than long term medication and frequent appointments.
These methods are best used for pets who experience:
- Osteoarthritis
- Acute and Chronic Soft Tissue Injuries
- Tendon Injuries
- Ligament Injuries
- Muscle Injuries
- Certain Spinal Conditions
Regenerative medicine includes both Platelet Rich (PRP) therapy and Stem Cell therapy!
PRP therapy involves collecting a small amount of blood from your dog and is processed by a specialized system that concentrates the platelets and the plasma. Once the PRP processing is complete, the plasma is injected directly into the area of injury. This method is successful in recruiting cells to an area of injury to clean up dead or injured cells and release proteins called “Growth Factors” which are responsible for aiding in tissue regeneration. Veterinarians have noted aiding effects last between 6-12 months for dogs with mild to moderate osteoarthritis and this therapy can be repeated if necessary in more severe cases!
Stem Cell therapy involves collecting a small amount of bone marrow from the femur of your dog, while anesthetized for a more comfortable experience, and processed using a specialized system that isolates and concentrates the stem cells. Once the processing is complete, the stem cells are then directly injected into the area of injury. This method is successful because of the stem cells ability to differentiate into any type of cell while also activating surrounding stem cells and recruiting additional cell types to aid in wound healing and tissue repair. Every dog’s response to this therapy will vary but veterinarians have noted that dogs with moderate to severe osteoarthritis will show marked improvement for more than a year after just one treatment with stem cells.
