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Surgical Procedures
Anesthesia and Pre-surgical Lab Work In our veterinary hospital we use the safest of inhalant anesthetics and recommend pre-surgical blood work for the welfare of your pet. All patients are to be examined prior to surgery. Anesthetic monitoring with equipment such as ECG, or pulse oximetry is utilized.
Amputation Removal of the limb of a pet is occassionally needed when a pet is hit by car and suffers a severe fracture. Three legged pets do very well!
Aural Hematoma
'Aural' means 'pertaining to the ear.' The aural hematoma results when an animal breaks a blood vessel in the flap of the ear. The ear flap fills with blood and becomes like a heavy water balloon hanging from the pet's head. Laser surgical correction offers a comfortable cosmetic healing to these patients.
The Bite Wound Abscess
Cats fight, bite, and get infected. This creates sweling, pain, and fever. Surgical drainage and antibiotics are key for appropriate recovery.
Cherry Eye
Has a red lump suddenly appeared in the inside corner of your pet's eye? This is an affliction of the 3rd eyelid gland which can be corrected by laser surgical intervention.
Declawing and its Alternatives
Having a hard time deciding between keeping your beloved cat or having your sofa or drapes ripped to shreds? Laser declaw is a safe efficacious procedure with minimal pain. This can even be humanely done on older cats.
Enucleation
Enucleation means 'removal of the eye.' This may be beneficial to your pet if it has suffered serious eye damage due to trauma or disease. Perforating ulcers or chronic uncontrolled glaucoma are common situations which may be remedied with this procedure.
Fracture Fixation/External Fixator External fixation is a convenient and innovative method to ridgidly fixate fractures on the distal limbs which our office performs.
Histiocytoma
The histiocytoma is a common benign tumor of younger dogs (and the occasional cat). While it eventually goes away by itself, it can be itchy while it lasts and usually has a moist or even slightly inflammed surface. It must be distinguished from some of its more malignant cousins so diagnostic testing is generally recommended.
Intestinal Obstruction Pets often eat things that can obstruct their intestines. Cats eat string or tinsel. Dogs eat golf balls and bones. X-rays are used to diagnose obstruction. These often need to be removed surgically as perforation of the bowels can cause death.
Lateral Ear Resection
Recurring ear infection is a plague to many dogs and to their owners who must treat them. The on-going infection simply continues and never goes away. The Lateral Ear Resection is a surgery that changes the conformation of the pet's "J-shaped" ear canal to a canal that is horizontal-only, like the human ear canal. This improves ventilation to the ear and facilitates cleaning.
Mammary Tumors in Dogs
We all know the importance of breast cancer and its prevention in our own species but it may be a surprise to find that breast (mammary) cancer is important for our pets, too. Spaying your pet at a young age can often prevent breast cancer.
Canine Neuter
Is surgical removal of the testicles and portion of the spermatic cord. Neutering a dog will help prevent or curtail a number of unpleasant behavioral problems including roaming, fighting, aggression, territorial urine marking and also can prevent medical problems and cancers of the prostate and rectum. This surgery is an important part of responsible pet ownership.
Neutering the Male Cat
This is probably the simplist surgical procedure our veterinarians will do. Recovery is quick and this procedure helps to neutralize urine odor and prevent urine spraying as well as decrease roaming and fighting tendencies.
Pyometra
"Pyometra" is the life-threatening infection of the uterus which generally occurs in middle-aged to older female dogs in the six weeks following heat. The uterus with pyometra swells dramatically and is filled with pus, bacteria, dying tissue, and toxins. Without treatment, the pet is expected to die. Surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus as well as fluid and antibiotic therapy is often curative.
Ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (RACL)
This is the most common rear leg injury of the dog and usually requires surgery. These pets are usually quite lame but will bear weight on the affected limb. Diagnosis is based upon palpation of a classic "drawer sign" and surgical technique may vary with size of the pet.
Skin Cancer A variety of skin tumors(cancer) can occur in dogs and cats. Aggressive surgical resection and biopsy of removed specimens is indicated. Mast cell tumor is a common example of one of these tumors that is malignant and may require chemotherapy.
The Canine Spay
Spaying your pet dog is very important, not only to keep down pet overpopulation, but for the health of your pet, as well. It helps to prevent breast cancer and uterine infections. Spay is the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus.
The Feline Spay
Spaying your pet cat is also very important, not only to keep down pet overpopulation, but also to reduce your pets symptoms of "heat" as well! It's also good to help prevent pyometra and breast cancer.
Splenic Masses
The spleen is an organ that helps store red blood cells and helps with immune function by acting like a lymph node, but when it develops even a benign growth a life-threatening spleen rupture can occur. Fortunately, we can live without a spleen.
Urolithiasis Bladder stones are common in pets. Blood tinged, painful urination is a common sign of this. X-rays are diagnostic and surgical removal is typically curative. Stones should be analyzed for their content and their diet should be modified to prevent recurrence.
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