Improvements in medical science can be just as good for animals as they are for humans, and today there are many treatments for health problems that are specific to particular animals on top of those which are common to many different species. Veterinary surgeons are trained to complete as many varied procedures on animals as can be done on humans, and the level of studying they do is every bit as involved as a surgeon who deals with humans.
Obviously, there are a number of differences in the sort of treatments given. There probably aren’t too many otherwise healthy humans who think someone should get involved with cutting their toe-nails (though after working alongside a chiropodist, you would be amazed at how many individuals don’t believe that they should look after their own feet!). Whereas this basic procedure is regularly required for house pets who do not use their claws often enough in a cage to maintain them at a safe length to be able to walk comfortably, when in their natural habitat they would easily remain worn down to a comfortable level.
Maybe the type of surgery most people have heard of is that of neutering cats and dogs to put an end to unwanted litters or behaviour which is thought to be anti-social by humans. There are a variety of operations which fall within the description of neutering and of course the process for male and female animals differs substantially.
There are varied approaches applied to veterinary procedures which depends largely on whether the creature is a much-loved pet or a farm animal pet, almost any treatment is likely to be carried out if the owner is happy to find the money for it. Sometimes the cost can be ridiculous, especially for an elderly animal which may very well not survive an anaesthetic, but the decision is in the hands of the owner, although the vet will explain in detail what risks are involved.
On the other hand, for a farm animal the owner’s agreement to treatment will mostly be based on business considerations, and there is little possibility of complex surgery being carried out on one sheep from a flock or one cow from the herd, as the outlay will be greater than the commercial price of the beast.
In recent years, laser treatments have become more and more popular for animals. Like such operations for humans, the notion of utilising a Laser eye beam to vaporise the part of the body that needs treatment is a intelligent one, and for exactly the same reasons. There is far less risk of infection when using laser treatment, a reduction in pain or swelling, minimal bleeding compared to conventional surgery and also, with a extremely precise Laser eye pointed at the area to receive treatment, the surgeon doesn’t have to look underneath surgical instruments and therefore has a better view of what he or she is doing.
Of course, as was stated earlier, not all laser treatments are relevant to animals. In exactly the same way as we wouldn’t need our toenails cut, it’s highly improbable that any animal would qualify for Laser eye surgery. Although some eye complaints are resolved for animals, for example cataracts and glaucoma, it’s highly unlikely that an pet would be identified as being short or long sighted, which are the eye issues for humans which are predominantly treated by Laser eye surgery.
From personal experience as a cat owner, I do know that tooth and gum problems are another frequently diagnosed ailment, and both cats and dogs regularly undergo similar dental treatment to humans, including tooth removal, root canal treatment and the clearance of excess plaque. I’m not sure if we’ll reach a time when we’ll be providing dogs and cats with bleaching trays to give them whiter teeth though. (Although I expect that there probably are a few pampered pets in Hollywood which might just have been subjected to this kind of cosmetic treatment!)
Of course, the same as humans, there are far more serious problems that can appear, but veterinary science is every bit as advanced as human science, so it’s realistic to say that most problems encountered by pets can be resolved just as well as if it were a human problem.
