It was around 1998 when I first became interested in CO2 laser surgery. I had returned from a surgical lecture presented by a university professor friend. During his presentation, he casually mentioned his school had recently purchased a human surgical laser. They had begun using it on a variety on cases, especially oral tumors, and were pleased with the results so far. I called him the following week and he offered some advice on the different types of lasers, basic wattage and wavelength theory, and the types of patients he felt benefited most. Within a few months, I had bought my first surgical laser and become a convert. Veterinary CO2 laser surgery can have significant advantages over traditional surgical methods using stainless steel blades. But first, what exactly is laser surgery?