CO₂ laser can treat many feline ailments

By Gary D. Norsworthy, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (Feline) For The Education Center

Originally published in Veterinary Practice News, July 2016

I have used a CO₂ laser for about 10 years. My initial interest in this tool was that using it would result in less bleeding and less pain for my patients. As we proceeded to use the CO₂ laser for cat surgeries, creativity set in. I found that the CO₂ laser is a tool that either exclusively permits accomplishment of certain surgeries or is superior to the other options. The following are examples of laser applications that make feline practice more successful.

1 – Lesions in Difficult Places

Oral tumors are frustrating because most affected cats are presented for drooling, poor appetite or fetid breath. Owners typically think there is a dental problem that can be solved with a good teeth cleaning or a few extractions. They are shocked to find that an aggressive, malignant tumor is present and that it is beyond surgical removal or response to chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

The CO₂ laser can permit tumor debulking and control for a few weeks. This gives the family time to deal with the impending loss of the cat (Figures 1-A and 1-B).

An odontogenic tumor (epulis) is an uncommon gingival proliferation that occurs around the teeth (Figure 3-A). It can be temporarily removed with the CO₂ laser (Figure 3-B); however, over time it will recur until the teeth are removed (Figures 3-C and 3-D). Removal of the tumor with the CO₂ laser should be performed and immediately followed by teeth removal.

Eosinophilic granulomas occur in many locations, including the base of the tongue (Figures 2-A and 2-B). In this location eosinophilic granulomas can make eating very difficult for the cat and result in significant weight loss. Although some respond to anti-inflammatory medications, response can be slow.

The CO₂ laser permits rapid debulking with control of hemorrhage. In some cases, a hemostatic powder can be a helpful adjunct therapy for bleeding. This treatment is followed with anti-inflammatory drugs to complete the removal and prolong remission.

Facial tumors can be difficult to remove with conventional surgery because appropriate margins are frequently not possible. Figures 4-A, 4-B and 4-C show a squamous cell tumor. The mast cell tumor did not recur; the squamous cell tumor recurred nine months post-operatively and was treated again with the laser.

Perilaryngeal tumors are not discovered until the cat develops respiratory stridor (Figure 5-A). At this stage, open-mouth breathing may be present and the cat in a respiratory crisis. A video otoscope can be a very useful tool in viewing this area and assessing the airway stricture. Biopsy forceps can pass through the working channel for tissue sampling.

The CO₂ laser, with a special tip that goes through the video otoscope, can be used to treat these lesions and relieve the immediate respiratory crisis (Figure 5-B). The ultimate treatment will depend on the histopathologic diagnosis.

2 – Stenotic nares

Stenotic nares are often part of feline brachycephalic syndrome (Figure 6-A). Opening the nares using conventional surgical techniques can be very difficult because of patient size. The CO₂ laser can open them in seconds (Figure 6-B). The results are predictable, making it a what-you-see-is-whatyou- get (WYSIWYG) procedure.

3 – Entropion

This is a relatively uncommon ocular disease in cats, but it can result in chronic keratitis and recurrent corneal ulceration (Figure 7-A).

A row of X-shaped strokes are made with the laser parallel to the lid margins, resulting in a rolling outward of the lid margin (Figure 7-B). This is another WYSIWYG procedure. The final result after healing should be virtually identical to the appearance at the end of surgery.

4 – Ceruminous gland adenomas

These are unique tumors of the inner surface of the pinna and the external ear canal and arise from the cerumen glands (Figure 8-A).

Although the tumors are benign, they are unsightly and obstruct the flow of air in the external ear canal, resulting in chronic otitis externa. The CO₂ can easily vaporize the masses (Figure 8-B). When healing is complete, the ear appears normal (Figure 8-C). Unfortunately, affected cats form new masses over six to 15 months, so repeat therapy will be needed.

Summary

The CO₂ laser has many surgical applications for cats. It can offer options for therapy that are superior to other choices.

Dr. Gary D. Norsworthy writes for a variety of veterinary journals and frequently lectures for veterinary associations. His Alamo Feline Health Center in San Antonio is South Texas’s only hospital limited to cats and the only one that offers a truly dog-free environment.

This Education Center article was underwritten by Aesculight of Bothell, Wash., the manufacturer of the only American-made CO₂ laser.