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At Haarstad Veterinary Dermatology, we specialize in treating a variety of skin conditions in pets.That's why we offer advanced treatments like cryosurgery. If you’re unfamiliar with this procedure, you might have questions about how it works and how it can benefit your pet. Below, we’ve put together a Q&A to help you understand the basics.

1. What is cryosurgery?

Cryosurgery is a treatment that uses extreme cold to safely remove unwanted or abnormal tissue, like growths, warts, or tumors. It’s a minimally invasive procedure that doesn't require incisions, meaning less stress and quicker healing for your pet. By freezing the targeted area, cryosurgery destroys the abnormal cells, allowing the body to naturally clear them away over time. It’s a great option for treating skin growths without the need for traditional surgery. Many pet owners prefer cryosurgery because it’s a quick and effective way to help their pets feel more comfortable without a long recovery period.

2. What types of cryosurgery are there?

There are two main types of cryosurgery commonly used by veterinary dermatologists: liquid nitrogen and nitrous oxide.

• Liquid Nitrogen Cryosurgery: This method involves applying liquid nitrogen to the targeted area and is used commonly by physicians.The colder of the two options, liquid nitrogen freezes tissue at temperatures as low as -196°C. Haarstad Veterinary Dermatology uses this option because it can be used for smaller growths, but is also better for larger or deeper growths that need a more intense freeze. 
• Nitrous Oxide Cryosurgery: Nitrous oxide operates at a warmer temperature compared to liquid nitrogen, freezing at a higher temperature, around -89°C. This option is often used for smaller growths.

3. How does cryosurgery work?

Cryosurgery rapidly freezes the targeted tissue, causing irreversible damage to the cells. When the tissue is exposed to extremely cold temperatures, the water inside the cells turns to ice, causing it to expand. This expansion leads to cell rupture and the destruction of the abnormal growth or lesion.

The precision of cryosurgery allows for minimal damage to healthy tissue that surrounds the abnormality, speeding up recovery. Over time, the body will naturally clear away the destroyed cells, and the treated area will heal, and there is usually minimal scarring. Depending on the size and depth of the growth, healing can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

Cryosurgery is often preferred because of its non-invasive nature, and it does not require stitches.  

4. What types of conditions can cryosurgery treat?

Cryosurgery is a great option to treat a variety of skin conditions, including:

• Skin tags
• Small tumors or cysts
• Warts and papillomas
• Benign growths
• Certain cancerous lesions (depending on size and type)

Since cryosurgery is very precise, it’s ideal for areas that are difficult to treat with traditional surgery, such as near the eyes or in sensitive areas.

5. Does cryosurgery require anesthesia?

Cryosurgery is often performed without general anesthesia, especially for smaller, superficial lesions. Sometimes a local anesthetic or mild sedation is used to make sure your pet is comfortable during the procedure. For larger growths or in more sensitive areas, deeper anesthesia may be required to allow the veterinary dermatologist to work safely and effectively.

6. Who is cryosurgery best for?

Cryosurgery is a great option for pets who:

• Have small or superficial growths: For growths that are small or on the skin’s surface, cryosurgery can be a quick and effective solution.
• Cannot undergo general anesthesia: For cats and dogs who aren’t able to tolerate general anesthesia because of their age, health conditions, or sensitivity to medications, cryosurgery is a good alternative that often only requires local anesthesia or mild sedation.
• Need treatment in sensitive areas: Cryosurgery is helpful for growths in delicate areas, like those around the eyes, mouth, or nose, where traditional surgery could be challenging or too risky.
• Are prone to skin conditions: For pets who have recurring warts, papillomas, or benign skin growths, cryosurgery can be used multiple times with minimal discomfort, it can be repeated if new growths appear without causing complications.

Cryosurgery is an excellent option to treat a variety of skin conditions in pets. It’s quick, minimally invasive, and effective, making it a great choice for certain cases. Cryosurgery can target and destroy abnormal or diseased tissues with minimal discomfort and short recovery periods, meaning less stress for your pet. If you're curious about whether cryosurgery might be a good solution for your pet's skin concerns, please reach out to us at Haarstad Veterinary Dermatology. We're happy to answer your questions and discuss the potential benefits of this cutting edge procedure.