Guide
Radiofrequency Ablation for Dogs and Cats: How Veterinary RF Tumor Ablation Works
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an image-guided technique that delivers radiofrequency energy through a needle electrode to heat and destroy tumor (tumour) tissue under general anesthesia (anaesthesia). In veterinary practice it is used as a minimally invasive option for selected companion-animal tumors when surgery is difficult or when teams want a percutaneous approach under ultrasound or CT guidance. This guide summarizes how RFA works, what published veterinary studies report, and what a hospital needs to offer the modality — without promising outcomes for any individual patient.
What is veterinary radiofrequency ablation
Veterinary RFA places one or more needle electrodes into a target lesion under imaging guidance. Alternating radiofrequency current agitates ions in the tissue and generates frictional heat. When tissue temperature is high enough for long enough, coagulative necrosis develops in a controlled zone around the electrode.
RFA is used in soft-tissue and selected intracavitary or mediastinal targets reported in the veterinary literature, typically under general anesthesia with ultrasound or CT guidance. It is a local cytoreductive or ablative technique, not a systemic cancer therapy.
How RFA works: energy, temperature and impedance monitoring
Modern veterinary RFA systems monitor tissue response during energy delivery. Temperature feedback and impedance feedback help the generator adjust or stop output when the ablation endpoint is reached. ReinnoVet RFA-100 uses dual temperature and impedance feedback with automatic stop.
Needles are selected by the recommended tumor diameter they are designed to cover. Imaging confirms electrode position before energy delivery and documents the ablation zone afterward. Return pads complete the electrical circuit for the generator.
Acute porcine (animal model) evidence — not a clinical outcome
An acute porcine liver trial of RFA-100 (dissection on the day of the procedure; laboratory-animal regulations followed; ReinnoVet Quality Assurance reviewed) evaluated ablation zone size and tissue state after a simulated 2 cm ablation:
- Needle used: RENE-10-2, designed for tumors ≤2 cm; inserted into the liver with a parallel temperature probe.
- Mode: intelligent (smart) ablation mode; ablation duration about 7 minutes.
- Safety observations during the trial: no charring, no smoke, no adhesion on needle withdrawal, and no adverse events noted in the report.
- Gross ablation zone (caliper): approximately 20.74 × 20.08 mm, white and nearly spherical.
- HE histology: ablated cells dehydrated and necrotic with disordered distribution; distance from ablation center to the outermost boundary about 9,376 μm (~9.4 mm radius). Non-ablated tissue retained an orderly cellular pattern.
These figures describe an acute animal-model trial, not a clinical outcome in dogs or cats. They support the product description already used on the live site (about 7 minutes for a 2 cm porcine-liver ablation) and should not be read as expected results for any individual patient.
What published veterinary studies report
The table below lists peer-reviewed veterinary RFA reports verified on 2026-11-09. Findings are summarized from each paper’s abstract; they are not ReinnoVet clinical claims and should not be read as expected results for every patient.
| Tumor type | Guidance | Animals / design | Reported finding | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canine insulinoma (and associated metastases) | Percutaneous ultrasound | 29 dogs | RFA associated with increased blood glucose and reduced tumor size; authors describe minimal postoperative complications | Alférez et al., Animals, 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14223301 · PMC11591051 |
| Canine nasal carcinoma (adenocarcinoma) | CT-guided | 15 dogs | Significant tumor volume reduction (82.8%) and improvement in clinical signs; authors report no complications in the series | Alférez et al., Animals, 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14243682 · PMC11672759 |
| Canine aortic body chemodectoma | Percutaneous echo-guided | 5 dogs | Rapid clinical improvement with mass size reduction and change in sonographic appearance; no complications during the procedure or next 24 hours; 6-month follow-up in all dogs | Gómez Ochoa et al., Animals, 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102790 · PMC8532905 |
These papers evaluate RFA in specific diagnoses and settings. Sample sizes are small to moderate. Conflict-of-interest statements in the 2024 papers note that some authors are employed by clinics that provide RFA services — readers should review the full texts.
RFA vs surgical resection
Surgical resection removes a mass under direct visualization and remains the standard approach for many resectable tumors. RFA destroys tissue in situ through a needle under imaging guidance and may be considered when anatomy, patient risk or owner goals favor a percutaneous or cytoreductive option.
The comparison is conceptual:
- Access: open or laparoscopic surgery vs percutaneous needle under ultrasound or CT.
- Goal: complete excision vs local ablation / cytoreduction of a defined zone.
- Adjuncts: histopathology from a resected specimen vs imaging and clinical follow-up after ablation (biopsy strategy varies by case).
- Risks: each path has its own complication profile; published series report procedure-specific events that must be weighed case by case.
RFA is not described here as a replacement for surgery. Case selection, staging and informed consent belong to the attending veterinary team.
What a hospital needs to offer RFA
- Imaging guidance. Ultrasound and/or CT capability appropriate to the target, plus a team trained to place and confirm electrode position.
- Anesthesia (anaesthesia). General anesthesia and patient monitoring for percutaneous or image-guided procedures.
- An RFA generator and needles. A veterinary RF ablation system with temperature and impedance monitoring; needle sizes matched to the planned tumor diameter.
- Return pads and procedure consumables. As specified for the generator in use.
- Training. Product training (ReinnoVet training is mainly in English) and clinical protocol development before first cases.
- Referral pathways. Clear criteria for which tumors are discussed for RFA versus surgery or other oncology options.
From the field: single case — canine oral tumor RFA
Single case; results vary by patient. This section describes one treated dog. It is not a clinical study, not an efficacy claim, and not a recommendation that RFA is preferred over surgery, radiotherapy or other options.
Patient and presentation
An 11-year-old male mixed-breed dog with heart disease and lung disease presented with oral swelling and inability to eat independently. External examination found a cluster of four individual tumors on the right side of the upper jaw. Reported diameters were 2.7 cm, 2.4 cm, 1.8 cm and 1.5 cm. The mass cluster caused compression toward the nasal cavity and eyes. Imaging showed the tumor location.
Why RFA was considered
Open surgical resection was judged unsuitable for this patient because of age and concurrent heart and lung disease. The attending team chose a minimally invasive RFA approach under general anesthesia, using boundary temperature feedback so that energy delivery stopped when the monitored boundary reached 45°C and was held as described in the case record.
Procedure (four tumors, smart mode)
Ablation needles matched to the planned tumor diameters (needles in the 2–3 cm recommended-diameter range) were used. Each site was ablated in smart mode:
| Site | Reported diameter | Mode | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tumor 1 | 2.7 cm | Smart mode | 8 min |
| Tumor 2 | 2.4 cm | Smart mode | 8 min |
| Tumor 3 | 1.8 cm | Smart mode | 5 min |
| Tumor 4 | 1.5 cm | Smart mode | 4 min |
The case record notes that after the four ablations there was no ulceration or surface burn-through, no carbonization, and no adhesion between the needle and tissue on withdrawal.
Early follow-up photos (not an efficacy conclusion)
- Day 3: liquefaction and outflow of tissue fluid at the treated site (photo).
- Day 14: the treated oral area appeared healed on clinical inspection (photo).
Healing and appearance after ablation vary by patient, tumor type, and aftercare.
Single case; results vary by patient. Case selection, staging and informed consent remain with the attending veterinary team.
RFA-100 at a glance
| Item | Spec (product manual / quotation) |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 450 kHz |
| Power | 50 W |
| Main unit | 6.5 kg; 320 × 360 × 170 mm |
| Feedback | Dual temperature and impedance; automatic stop |
| Needles | Three standard types for recommended tumor diameters of 2, 3 and 4 cm; reusable needles help clinics lower per-procedure cost |
| Accessories in standard config | Temperature probe ×1; return pads ×10 and cable; needle holder; power cord |
| Indication wording | Companion animals such as dogs and cats |
| Certification | CE marked, certificate available on request |
| Power | Configurable to local requirements |
FAQ
Can RFA treat tumours in dogs?
Published veterinary reports describe ultrasound- or CT-guided RFA for selected canine tumors, including insulinoma, nasal carcinoma and aortic body chemodectoma (see References). Suitability for an individual patient depends on diagnosis, staging and the attending team’s judgment.
Can RFA-100 be used in cats?
The product manual states the system is for companion animals such as dogs and cats. Case selection remains a clinical decision.
What tumour sizes do the needles cover?
Three standard needle types are offered for recommended tumor diameters of 2, 3 and 4 cm, based on clinical assessment.
Are the needles reusable?
Yes. The ablation needles are reusable, which helps clinics lower per-procedure cost.
Is RFA a replacement for surgery?
No. RFA is a local ablative option. Surgery remains appropriate for many resectable tumors. The two approaches are compared conceptually above; neither is promised as universally better.
What certification does RFA-100 have?
CE marked, certificate available on request.
Can RFA-100 run on local power?
Yes. Power configuration can be set to local requirements so the system can be configured for use in your market.
How do distributors bring RFA to a market?
Contact ReinnoVet about distributor partnership. Local registration and documentation responsibilities are confirmed by both parties for each market before commercial launch.
Internal links
Request RFA-100 information
Ask about the system for your hospital, or about bringing RF ablation to your market as a distributor.
references
- Alférez MD, Corda A, de Blas I, et al. Percutaneous ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation as a therapeutic approach for the management of insulinomas and associated metastases in dogs. Animals. 2024;14(22):3301. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14223301 · https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11591051/ — Verified 2026-11-09 via PubMed 39595353: 29 dogs; increased blood glucose and reduced tumor size; minimal postoperative complications per authors.
- Alférez MD, Corda A, de Blas I, et al. Computed tomography-guided radiofrequency ablation of nasal carcinomas in dogs. Animals. 2024;14(24):3682. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14243682 · https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11672759/ — Verified 2026-11-09 via PubMed 39765586: 15 dogs; 82.8% tumor volume reduction; clinical sign improvement; no complications reported in the series.
- Gómez Ochoa P, Alférez MD, de Blas I, et al. Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of chemodectomas in five dogs. Animals. 2021;11(10):2790. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102790 · https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8532905/ — Verified 2026-11-09 via PubMed 34679812: 5 dogs; clinical improvement and mass reduction; no complications during procedure or next 24 h; 6-month follow-up.
- ReinnoVet Product Brochure (EN) and standard quotation configuration for RFA-100.
- ReinnoVet internal case sheet: radiofrequency ablation of an oral tumor in a mixed-breed dog with boundary temperature control (source PDF provided 2026-11-09). Single case; not a peer-reviewed study; used only as a descriptive field example.
- ReinnoVet RFA-100 Tumor Radiofrequency Ablation System — Acute Animal (Porcine) Trial Report (source PDF provided 2026-11-09). Acute animal-model data (RENE-10-2; ~7 min; ablation zone 20.74 × 20.08 mm; HE radius ~9.4 mm); not a clinical outcome.