Most routine surgeries are performed within a hospital. Routine surgeries include spaying, neutering, soft-tissue surgeries, biopsies and some orthopaedic procedures. More complicated soft-tissue and orthopaedic surgeries can be referred to a local board certified veterinary surgeon.
Surgery for your pet is performed under general anaesthesia, and should be treated no differently than a surgery performed on a human patient. The health of your pet is my top priority, which is why I advocate a pre-anaesthetic blood profile. This can help detect abnormalities which could indicate that the anaesthesia or surgery may be unsafe, warranting further investigation beforehand. On the day of surgery, I place an intravenous catheter and administer intravenous fluids to help maintain adequate hydration and blood pressure (which is very important to keep all the internal organs healthy). The intravenous catheter also serves as a route to administer medications such as antibiotics or pain control, as well as medications needed in the event of an emergency. Experienced veterinary technicians are monitoring your pet at all times to detect any potential problems that may arise; the sooner a problem is addressed, the more likely it will be resolved safely. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about my surgical services.