Surgery

Our surgical suite and protocols are equivalent to those of human hospitals. Sterile cap, gloves, gown, mask, surgical drape and a fresh and sterile instrument pack are used for each individual procedure, just as you would expect for your human family members, but something not necessarily common at every veterinary hospital. Induction drugs and gas anesthesia allow for rapidly adjustable levels of anesthesia during surgery, more stable vital signs, and a smoother and more rapid recovery afterwards.

Placing an endotracheal breathing tube into the animal's airway permits us to completely control breathing as needed. Full monitoring of all patient vital signs is accomplished through electronic sensors and a veterinary nurse continuously communicates this information to the surgeon, including heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, temperature, respiration and blood oxygen content.

When surgery is required, we always select the method that reduces trauma to the body. Endoscopic options permit minimally invasive technique in areas such as the constricted palates of short-nosed breeds. High-energy sonic cutting equipment is also used in place of scapels in many surgeries, permitting more precision with less bleeding and faster healing. Warming units and a heated surgical table prevent excessive heat loss from the patient during the procedure. All of these features result in better control of the patient's functions during the surgery and faster recovery and better post-operative outcomes.

We believe, as in human medicine, that pain control is a critical part of animal treatment. Too often, veterinarians and owners overlook pain in patients because our animals are stoic creatures, bearing pain with little outward indication. Research has shown time and again that our animal friends suffer pain in the same manner we do---and pain is always easier to prevent earlier rather than treat later in the cycle. Our doctors use the latest analgesics and therapies (including acupuncture) to aggressively prevent and manage pain. While this adds slightly to your costs, we would not allow our own pets to be in pain when preventable---and we won't let yours, either. Pain management is always part of surgery and therapeutic plans, and we will never just send your pets out the door without appropriate medication to alleviate their discomfort.