Surgery
Our hospital is well-equipped to perform most minor and major surgical procedures, from spays and neuters to more complicated emergency, orthopedic and soft-tissue surgeries. Prior to surgery, each patient receives a thorough physical examination to identify any existing medical conditions that might endanger your pet's health. Because not all problems can be detected on examination, we also suggest pre-anesthetic blood and urine testing. These tests not only give us a more complete picture of your pet's health, but also allow us to tailor an anesthetic regimen that is specifically designed for your pet.
We offer a wide variety of anesthetic protocols tailored to your pet's individual needs. We use state-of-the-art anesthetic machines and utilize a variety of anesthetic monitoring devices including Doppler blood pressure monitors, respiratory monitors, and other cardiac monitoring equipment. IV fluids are recommended for all surgical procedures to support the vascular system and provide an open port for rapid medication administration if needed.
Pain management is an important part of our pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative anesthetic and medical protocol. All surgical patients, including those undergoing routine procedures such as ovariohysterectomy or castrations, receive pain control medication. We urge you to discuss operative pain management options with a member of our staff.
ABC Veterinary Hospital is fully equipped to perform most common orthopedic procedures including fracture repairs, joint surgery and bone biopsies. Our doctors have over 25 years of experience successfully repairing torn anterior cruciate ligaments, the most common knee injury in dogs and cats, as well as patella luxations and getting our patients back to full function as soon as possible.
Our surgeons are specially trained and certified to perform Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy Surgery (TPLO) for repairing cranial cruciate ligament tears. This highly technical surgical procedure is unique in that it addresses the biomechanical failure underlying the cranial cruciate injury instead of only focusing on the torn ligament itself. As compared to most other techniques that do not address the biomechanical issue, the goal of TPLO surgery is to stabilize the knee by modifying joint anatomy and mechanics.
Laser Surgery
Laser surgery minimizes bleeding, reduces pain and swelling and promotes more rapid healing. When your pet undergoes laser surgery, he or she recovers more quickly and face less post-operative pain. Laser surgery also is more precise and greatly reduces the risk of post-surgical infection.
Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopic surgery, also called minimally invasive surgery, is a modern surgical technique in which operations in the abdomen are performed through small incisions, as compared to larger incisions needed in traditional surgical procedures. Laparoscopic surgery belongs to the broader field of endoscopy.
The key element in laparoscopic surgery is the use of a laparoscope - a telescopic rod lens system that is usually connected to a video camera. Also attached is a fiber optic cable system connected to a cold light source (halogen or xenon), to illuminate the operative field, inserted through a cannula or Trocar to view the operative field.
In veterinary medicine, laparoscopic surgery is used for several procedures. Until recently, the traditional method of spaying bitches has been to remove the entire reproductive tract (ovaries and uterus) through a large incision in the abdomen. Although this has been the recognized surgical method for many years, an alternative, much less invasive procedure has become available through the use of a laparoscope. Our hospital offers this new and advanced, minimally-invasive surgery as an alternative to the traditional spay procedure. These techniques often provide a quick and relatively non-invasive means of obtaining answers that would otherwise require major surgery or expensive diagnostic testing.
There are a number of advantages to laparoscopic surgery versus the traditional open procedure. These include:
- Shortened anesthesia time
- Reduced blood loss
- Smaller incision, which reduces pain and shortens recovery time
- Less pain, leading to less pain medication needed
- Faster recovery time
- Reduced exposure of internal organs to possible external contaminants, thereby reduced risk of acquiring infections
Please consult a member of our staff to see if a laparoscopic spay procedure is right for your pet.