Cryosurgery at Sussex County Animal Hospital

AUGUSTA — CryoSurgery is now available at the Animal Hospital of Sussex County, in Augusta.

CryoSurgery is the rapid freezing and slow thawing of an affected area. This type of therapy is used for skin masses, eyelid tumors, anal polyps and other cutaneous (skin) lesions or growths.

Dr. Ted Spinks, V.M.D., consulted and studied under several veterinarian specialists in the New England area. The Brymill equipment used at the Animal Hospital of Sussex County is a human quality system used for cryogenic therapy/surgery in human dermatologists’ practices. Liquid nitrogen is preferred, according to Dr. Spinks, because it is the safest cryogen (freezing component). Nitrogen is a non-toxic gas and comprises 78 percent of our atmosphere.

The Animal Hospital of Sussex County is the only animal hospital to offer the Brymill procedure in this area.

With specialized equipment, Spinks applies the -320°F liquid nitrogen though an appropriate-sized spray tip for different sized masses or lesions. Dr. Spinks uses pinpoint accuracy with a specifically designed skin guard. The unique skin guard chosen is dependant upon the individual qualities of the mass. The skin guard minimizes collateral damage to the surrounding skin cells.

“The freezing causes the destruction of the cells by crystallization of the intracellular components,” Spinks said. “In other words, freezing kills the tumor’s growth.”

The immediate result of CryoSurgery is a round frozen necrosis (dead material). The dead frozen growth falls off in a week to 10 days. This leaves the good skin to recover naturally and slowly replacing all of the dead tumor. The procedure is an economical, safe, and non-painful means to remove various masses, without time consuming and painful surgery. Animal patients come from all over for the specialized CryoSurgery. One patient traveled all the way from Long Island to the Animal Hospital in Augusta for this special surgery.

“The process itself takes a few seconds and is pain free," Spinks said. "Often the CryoSurgery requires no stitches or anesthesia. Which is important in geriatric and high risk animal patients.” Dr. Spinks also teaches this procedure to other veterinarians.

C.J. Millar’s elderly cat, Cori, received CryoSurgery on sebaceous cists in her ears.

“Having CryoSurgery was a huge relief due to Cori’s advanced age. I did not want to take the risk of traditional surgery,” Millar said. "She healed quickly and is fine now.”

Spinks recently performed CryoSurgery on Titus, a tiger cub at Space Farms Zoo. Without this surgery the tiny tiger cub would be hard to place at another zoo.

“It was amazing to watch Dr. Spinks,” said Lori Space Day, zoologist. “In a minute the whole procedure was over, leaving a 50-cent sized frozen scab of the tiger’s fatty mass tumor. Titus was chuffing happily just minutes later.”

The thawed mass fell off in a day. In one week, the skin was growing back, the lesion was only the size of a dime.

All four veterinarians at the Animal Hospital of Sussex County are skilled and proficient with the Brymill procedure. Free consultations are available by calling 973-579-1155.

The Animal Hospital of Sussex County is open seven days a week. For more information visit www.CaringVets.com.