Why do we use cryosurgery on older dogs instead of traditional eye surgery?
It’s safer for older dogs’ hearts and other vital organs. Jackson, a 12-year-old lab, in his before and after photos.
Traditional eyelid tumor treatment requires general anesthesia. It is often recommended and performed in older dogs by veterinarians. Yet, we prefer an alternative treatment called cryosurgery.
Cryosurgery uses freezing temperatures to destroy benign tumor cells without a local anesthetic. It also offers patients a quicker recovery than traditional surgery.
Dr Matthew Chavkin, founder of Mountain Star Veterinary Specialists, has performed cryosurgery to remove eyelid tumors in dogs over 10 years old for 30 years.
In his experience, 96% of patients are cured with one treatment. When asked, 98% of clients would recommend this treatment to a friend.*
We want to partner with you and your veterinarian to provide the best care for your dog.
Why do dogs need cryosurgery?
- When they have a growth in their eye that is non-cancerous
- And they’re over age 10
When signs indicate your dog might have a benign eye tumor?
-Mucus
-Bloodshot or red eyes
-Squinting
-Rubbing at the eye
Benefits
- Local anesthesia and sedation is safer than general anesthesia for older dogs’ hearts and other vital organs.
- Comfortable and quick recovery. Cryosurgery patients rarely need to wear an Elizabethan collar, making recovery more comfortable. Dogs experience a quick recovery time of 2-3 days.
- The whole procedure is easier on the patient. Dogs are awake after the procedure and can walk out of the hospital.
How much does cryosurgery cost?
The total cost for the exam, procedure, and follow-up appointments is $2200. A little about Mountain Star: when you visit us, you can rest assured you’re working with the most skilled team. We pay our vet techs 30% above market rate to attract the best of the best. Our pricing reflects our first-class skillset, which translates into the best experience for you and your pet.
If you see and eyelid growth and your dog is experiencing any of the symptoms above, please contact us. We will work with your primary veterinarian to help get your pet back to optimal health.
*results from unpublished internal survey.