pet surgery

Spaying and neutering are common surgeries performed at our animal clinic that help control the unwanted animal population and offer a number of health benefits to cats and dogs. We usually recommend spaying or neutering at six months of age to both prevent unwanted pregnancies and reduce the risk of other health problems. There are, of course, exceptions to that rule, and our veterinarians will have an open discussion with you to decide on the best time to spay your neuter your particular dog or cat.
Spaying your pet early on offers the best protection from diseases like uterine infections and breast tumors, malignant or cancerous, in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems. Other added benefits include:

• Your female pet will not go into heat once it is spayed.
• Your male pet may better behave after the operation.
• Your male dog will be less likely to run away from home, as un-neutered dogs will do anything to find a mate.

Before your pet is spayed or neutered, our veterinarian will conduct an assessment of their health to ensure they are healthy enough to withstand a surgical procedure. If your pet is healthy, an appointment will be made for the procedure. You will need to leave your pet at our hospital for the surgery. Our staff will alert you about food and water intake restrictions before the surgery date so you can prepare to have your cat or dog fast before their surgery time.

Pets, like people, can develop hernias. An umbilical hernia repair is a surgical procedure performed to correct a pet’s umbilical hernia. This type of hernia is most commonly seen in puppies and kittens, but it can also affect older pets. Umbilical hernias occur when the abdominal muscles surrounding the navel do not close properly, allowing abdominal contents to bulge through the opening. In most cases, pet umbilical hernia repairs are fairly routine and can be performed on an outpatient basis. The pet will be given general anesthesia, and the surgeon will make a small incision around the navel. The herniated tissue will then be pushed back into the abdomen, and the incision will be closed with stitches or staples. In most cases, pet umbilical hernia repairs are successful, and the pet will make a full recovery. However, if the hernia is large or recurrent, additional surgery may be necessary.

The removal of deciduous teeth, also called baby teeth, is a relatively common surgery for pets. Baby teeth are normally shed on their own, but sometimes they can become loose and fall out prematurely. In other cases, the adult teeth may not come in correctly, requiring the removal of the baby tooth to make room. The surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia and takes only a few minutes to complete. Afterward, your pet may have some soreness and pain, but this can be alleviated with medication. Overall, the removal of deciduous teeth is a relatively straightforward procedure that helps ensure your pet has a healthy mouth.

Microchipping is a pet identification procedure in which a tiny microchip, about the size of a grain of rice, is inserted beneath the skin of your pet. The chip contains a unique identifier that can be read by a scanner. If your pet is lost or stolen, the chip can be used to reunite you with your pet. Microchipping is quick and easy and can be done during a routine vet visit. The chip itself is harmless and does not require surgery to insert.
In most cases, you will not even feel the chip being injected beneath your pet’s skin. Once it is in place, the chip will remain there for your pet’s lifetime. Microchipping is an important way to help ensure that you are reunited with your pet if they ever become lost or stolen.

The evening before your pet’s appointment, please remove all of your animal’s food by 8:00 p.m. and all water by midnight. This is very important to ensure your pet’s safety while under anesthesia. Do not give your pet snacks or treats before your visit. Please do not put food into a carrier to try and “lure” your pet inside, and remember to close the lid on all toilet seats in the house for those sneaky guys and girls that like to drink a sip of water from there too. Your pet may be a little hungry and a little thirsty, but it truly is for their safety.

Bring any previously given vaccine records from your regular veterinary office to provide proof of current vaccines. If your pet is not current on rabies or their distemper combo vaccine, you will be asked to purchase them at our clinic. Current distemper combo and rabies vaccines are required for surgery. These vaccines must have been given by a licensed veterinarian. We will not accept vaccines given by owners, breeders, or pet stores (that do not staff a licensed veterinarian). This is for the safety of your pet and the other pets that are there for surgery the same day.

Your pet will have their own cage and blanket. They will not share cage space with any other animal while in our care. We ask that you do not bring any additional blankets from home, but we do however encourage a favorite toy or stuffed animal. We can not be responsible for lost or soiled items.

Drop your pet off at our clinic between 7:30 a.m and 8:00 a.m. so that we can start loving on them as soon as possible. Please do not be late. We have a very short window of time to handle our busy days and want to make your pet as comfortable as possible prior to their surgery. Having time for pain medications to start working and mild sedatives to help them relax is a critical part of us being able to provide your pet with the best possible experience while in our care.

Please bring all cats in individual carriers and all dogs on a leash. If you have a small dog that rides in a carrier, you may transport them to us like that instead of a leash if you would prefer. If you do not have a carrier or leash, we will have cardboard carriers for cats for a small fee, or you can visit our pet store for a new collar and leash for your dog.

Please do not bathe your pet on the morning of their appointment. Baths can not be given up to 10 days following surgery, so if you wish to give your animal a bath prior to surgery, please do it the night before. We prefer your pet to not be wet or damp during its surgical procedure to help maintain normal body temperature while under anesthesia.

If you have an animal 7 years of age or older, you may be required to have pre-surgical blood work done 1-2 days prior to surgery. If your blood work is done somewhere other than our clinic, you will need to bring a copy of the blood work results with you to your pet’s appointment for our doctor to review. Blood work results will determine if it is safe to perform your pet’s surgery at our clinic.

Pet care is very important after major surgery. Keep your pet as quiet and comfortable as possible for a two-week recovery process. Our clinic recommends postoperative pain medication, rest, and some extra cuddles for the most optimal recovery. Overactivity and licking and/or chewing at incision sites are our main complications after surgery. We recommend that an Elizabethan collar be worn 24 hours a day following your pet’s procedure for the entire two-week recovery period. Pick-up is between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 pm. There is a $.60 per minute late fee charged if you pick your pet up after 5:00 pm.

Once your animal has been picked up from our clinic, you may take them home and offer them a small amount of food and a small bowl of water. Please give them what they are used to eating—no special treats. Anesthesia can cause nausea, so it is important to provide them with their regular diet to not upset their tummy. You may also start your postoperative pain medication at this time. Normal feeding amounts and schedules can resume the morning after surgery.

Please limit your pet’s activity level during the recovery process. No running, jumping, pulling, or tugging, and no rough playing with family or other pets in the house. You may take your pet on short leash walks. If you have a pet with a high energy level, you may need to use a crate or cage to help limit their activity level.

Your pet can not have a bath for at least 10 days following surgery. Please no playing in the pool or lake.

Please keep your animal inside while they heal where it is warm and dry and clean. Make them a nice warm cozy bed somewhere near you and let them rest comfortably. Spoil them a little; they probably aren’t going to feel 100% for a day or two. Do not leave your pet outside unattended after their surgery. Your pet will start to feel and act better before they are completely healed. This is the most important time to remember to follow your post-operative instructions. They can still cause injury to themselves during this period of time.

Some mild redness and swelling at the incision site are normal. All of the sutures will be under the skin unless otherwise explained to you by our staff and will dissolve over time. You will not need, in most cases, to return to our clinic to have sutures removed.