Laser surgery has many benefits. With the CO2 laser most superficial surgeries require only local anesthesia. Stitches usually are not necessary for incisions made with the laser because the incision site heals very quickly. There is less worry about pets chewing or licking the surgery site afterwards. With no stitches and quick healing, the surgery site often heals without scarring, which is one reason the CO2 laser is popular for human cosmetic surgery.
Less blood means better visibility and faster surgery time.
The laser also sterilizes as it cuts, minimizing postoperative infection. One new application of the laser is in treating transitional cell tumors of the bladder. With CO2 lasers you can see all the area being cut and you do not destroy tissue below. The laser vaporizes cells only 0.1 millimeters below the surface. For large tumors, scalpel surgery might be used in combination with the CO2 laser.