Our veterinarians provide many surgical services at our clinic, ranging from routine to advanced procedures. Because we want to ensure that our patients receive the best possible outcome, we occasionally refer them to specialists (board-certified, veterinary surgeons) to perform complex operations when we determine that advanced equipment or training will be beneficial.

A quick word about anesthesia and patient monitoring…

Our veterinary team takes all precautions necessary to ensure that your pet receives a safe anesthetic. We always perform a physical exam and pre-anesthetic testing before undertaking any surgery, monitor your pet during surgery, and provide pain medication during recovery.

During surgery, our highly qualified team of veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians monitor all patients to ensure their safety. We closely observe every procedure, regardless of whether it’s routine or more advanced. The type of anesthesia we use will depend upon the procedure. Some procedures require general anesthesia, while others may only call for local anesthesia.

Orthopedic Surgery

We perform many types of orthopedic surgeries in our clinic. Because we want to ensure that our patients receive the best possible outcome, we occasionally bring a board-certified, orthopedic surgeon into our clinic to perform back surgery and other complex specialty procedures.

Leg fractures are the most common orthopedic issue seen at our vet clinic, usually resulting from an accident with an automobile. Pets can be treated in a variety of ways depending on the location and type of fracture. We can apply a cast to treat certain fractures, however, many fractures will require surgical intervention using the following techniques:

• “Pinning” stabilizes the fracture by inserting a long stainless steel rod into the middle of the bone across the fractured area.
• “Plating” involves attaching a flat stainless steel plate to the bone using screws on either side of the fracture.
• “External fixation” stabilizes fractures using a series of pins on the outside of the leg that pass through the skin and into the bone on either side of the fracture.

We also perform orthopedic surgeries related to hip dysplasia and disc disease.

Dentistry

Imagine what your mouth would feel like if you never brushed your teeth or went to the dentist. For many dogs and cats, this is a painful reality. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have dental disease by the age of 3. Dental (or periodontal) disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem in pets.

Common signs of dental disease include:

• Tartar buildup on the teeth
• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Excessive drooling
• Changes in eating or chewing habits
• Pawing at the face
• Loose teeth
• Depression

Even if your animal doesn’t have these symptoms, we recommend that you have a veterinarian evaluate your pet’s dental health at least once a year. Bacteria and food debris accumulate around the teeth and, if left unchecked, will lead to deterioration of the soft tissue and bone surrounding the teeth. This decay can result in irreversible periodontal disease, tooth loss, and possibly expensive oral surgery.

Dental disease can also affect other organs in the body: Bacteria in the mouth can get into the bloodstream and cause serious infections in the kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart. If these problems aren’t caught and treated quickly enough, they can result in death. A physical exam combined with appropriate laboratory work can determine if infection in the mouth has spread.

Spaying and Neutering

By spaying and neutering your pet, you will help control dog and cat overpopulation, thus keeping more animals out of shelters.

Spaying your pet has many benefits. The procedure, which prevents females from becoming pregnant and reproducing, can help your pet live a longer, healthier life.

Spaying, which involves removing the ovaries and uterus, is a surgical procedure that need to be performed under anesthesia. We follow strict protocols and continually monitor your pet’s vital signs to help ensure her safety.

By spaying your pet, you’re protecting against potentially deadly diseases, including bacterial infections, reproductive tract diseases, and several types of cancer. You also won’t have to worry about her going into heat. This means avoiding the mess that often accompanies the heat cycle in dogs and the pacing and crying that happens with cats.

Neutering your pet has many benefits. The procedure, which prevents male animals from reproducing, can help your dog or cat live a longer, healthier life.

Neutering involves removing the testicles and is a surgical procedure that requires to be performed with the pet under anesthesia.

By neutering your pet, you’re reducing his risk for prostate and testicular cancer, as well as sexually transmitted diseases. Neutering will also reduce or eliminate undesirable and embarrassing behaviour, including roaming, fighting, humping, and spraying.

Soft Tissue Surgery

We perform many types of soft tissue surgeries at our clinic. Soft tissue surgeries are those that are not associated with skeletal structure.

The most common soft tissue surgery performed on pets is the removal of masses, or lumps. Most of these masses, once removed and tested, are found to be benign. Occasionally, they are more serious. Early removal and accurate diagnosis of a lump is necessary to improve the outcome in your pet if the mass is cancerous.

Another common surgery procedure is related to the eyes. Tearing in your pet’s eyes can mean an infection is present or may be a sign that the cornea (outer layer of the eye) has been damaged. Surgery may allow the cornea to heal faster with less scarring, improving your pet’s eyesight. In some instances, the eyelashes may actually damage the cornea. Surgical intervention improves comfort in these pets, reduces the chances of corneal scarring, and enhances the pet’s vision in the long term.