Laser Surgery
Inspiral offers state-of-the-art laser surgery that can be used to treat a variety of conditions in farm animals and equines. The lasers generate an intense beam of light that cut, seal or vapourise tissue. Laser surgery can be performed standing under mild sedation and local anaesthetic or under general anaesthetic depending on the size and location of the tumour to be operated on.
Three lasers are available ensuring that the correct equipment is tailored to the specific ailment requiring treatment.
The advantages of laser surgery are:
Reduced bleeding during surgery because the laser will seal small blood vessels whilst cutting.
Reduced pain post-op as the laser seals nerve endings as it cuts them.
Laser surgery minimises the spread of tumour cells because the heat generated vapourises them during removal of the tumour.
Faster recovery post-op due to the combination of reduced bleeding, less pain and inflammation which, along with cautery of the surgical site can mean less post-op infection and, in many cases, little to no requirement of antibiotics.
Examples of Farm Animal Laser Surgery
Squamous cell carcinoma
Hereford cross Friesian cow with cancer – squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lower left eyelid.
Early-stage SCC in a Hereford X Friesian cow
The lesion after being prepared for laser surgery
The lesion immediately post laser surgery
The surgical site 2-3 weeks post-surgery
The surgical site fully healed three months later.
Bovine Papilloma Virus (BPV)
Papilloma warts on an 18-month-old Holstein Friesian heifer
A large papilloma wart on the upper right eyelid causing corneal ulceration
The surgical site of the upper eyelid immediately post laser surgery.
4 weeks post-surgery. The upper eyelid is healing well and, importantly, the corneal ulceration has resolved.
Papilloma virus warts on a 20-month-old Belgium Blue bull
Papilloma wart near the lower lid margin of right eye
Laser surgery in progress to remove the wart.
Two smaller warts near the lower lid margin of the left eye.
The lower eyelid immediately post removal of wart via laser
The wounds fully healed and the bull at a show 4 weeks later!
Teat warts
Two large warts at the base of the teat that were too large to ring.
The teat immediately post laser surgery. Often there is little to no bleeding, however, large warts are very vascular, and bleeding is still minimal with rarely any requirement for suturing.
Please contact Dominic via your vet or directly to discuss a potential case(s).
Inspiral's laser and photothermal treatments are referral ‘add-on’ services. Dominic works alongside your veterinary practice, providing the equipment and surgery. It is essential to work with your vet because Inspiral offers a *UK-wide service and cannot provide out-of-hours cover. Your vet will be required to give any medication needed and be fully aware of any procedures undertaken. It is essential that we work together collaboratively. However, Inspiral does provide advice and support to you and your vet before and after treatment. The business has full professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
Dominic is a veterinary surgeon and a chartered biologist. He is a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the Royal Society of Biology, the respective governing bodies.
Continuous CPD (career and professional development) is maintained across all the relevant species. He is a member of the species-specific professional bodies and the British Medical Laser Association (BMLA). The BMLA is the foremost society in the UK for users of lasers, light, and energy-based devices for medical, surgical, and dental professionals.
*The Republic of Ireland can be accommodated. Please contact to discuss.