Surgery for Dogs and Cats
Are you looking for the top vet in Athens GA when it comes to surgery for dogs and cats?
At Boulevard Animal Hospital, we are fully staffed to provide your pet with comprehensive care — from the pre-operative visit to post-operative follow-ups and everything in between. We provide the highest standards of care because we know how much your pet means to you. Find out about ten of the most common surgeries for cats and dogs. Then, read through our tips on how to care for your pet once they come home from surgery.
Providing the Highest Standards of Care
Boulevard Animal Hospital maintains the highest level of excellence and care whenever we perform surgery for cats and dogs. In order to ensure the health and well-being of your pet, our team goes through extensive preparations that include pre-surgical assessments, state-of-the-art surgical suites, and an emphasis on maintaining a sterile environment in the operating room.
Here are just some of the precautions we take to protect your animals:
- Pre-surgical assessments: Our veterinary team will meet with you to discuss the symptoms your animal exhibits. Before surgery, your cat or dog may go through a complete surgical exam, including blood tests and imaging technology. We gain all the knowledge possible before putting your pet under the scalpel.
- Sterile surgical suites: We take the potential for cross contamination and infections seriously. That’s why we have dedicated surgical suites to provide your cat or dog with life-saving or routine surgery. Sterile gowns and disposable gloves are just some of the personal protective equipment we use to protect your pet from germs.
- Post-operative care and instructions: Just as we prepare you and your pet for surgery, we’ll give you detailed instructions on how to take care of your pet. Plus, you can always contact our office with questions and concerns.
Surgery for Dogs and Cats Best Left to the Experts
Here are the top 10 surgeries for cats and dogs at Boulevard Animal Hospital
ACL Repair
This surgery treats the cruciate ligament that attaches to your pet’s knee. This is the most common surgery most vets perform and it takes skill and experience to execute properly.
Fractures and Dislocations
Younger animals are prone to occasional falls, fights, and other incidents that can lead to broken or damaged bones. Our credentialed veterinarians have specialized equipment that can address traumatic injuries to bones in your cat or dog’s legs or body.
Stomach Surgery
Exploratory stomach surgery can tell us what your pet has recently ingested. There are a number of reasons it may become necessary to perform the surgery, including damage to the stomach lining.
Cancer Surgery
Cats and dogs are subject to cancer, just like people. From tumors to lesions, cancer surgery for cats and dogs may require more significant aftercare.
Spinal Surgery
Cats are known for their limber spines and dogs depend on a flexible spine to bounce and leap. However, if your pet experiences back problems, spinal surgery may restore range of motion and improve quality of life.
FHO
Femoral head ostectomy provides salvage material for hip dysplasia cases and traumatic injuries.
Kneecap Dislocations
Officially called the medial patellar luxation (MPL), kneecap dislocation surgery corrects problems related to wear. Small dog breeds are most susceptible to this condition. With early detection, your vet can correct this condition without surgery.
Ear Surgery
Total ear canal ablation may be needed if your animal’s ears become chronically infected. Most common in dogs, this operation completely removes the ear canal to avoid further infections.
Perineal Urethrostomy (Cats)
Like many of the other surgeries for cats and dogs, this surgery, called a PU, is best left to surgical specialists. Vets need the right training to undergo this sensitive procedure.
Laryngeal Paralysis
Does your dog take loud, raspy breaths? They may have developed this condition, as many older canines do. A veterinary surgeon can’t open the airways, making it easier for your pet to breathe.
Amputation
Unfortunately, it’s sometimes necessary to remove a limb to prevent infection and other complications from and injuring your pet’s life.
Aftercare for Surgery for Cats and Dogs
After the surgery, your pet is awake but groggy. More than anything, they need rest in the hours following surgery for cats and dogs.
You may need to keep them in a quiet room overnight or for the first few days. If your pet has a collar to protect the incision point, make sure you understand how and when to remove it.
Until the incision recovers adequately, only take them outside to eliminate waste. Encourage your pet to drink as much water as possible. If your pet requires pain medication, your vet can give you tips on how to get them to take it without a battle.
Carefully monitor the surgical site for any sign of oozing, swelling, and bruising. If the area feels hot, call the office or bring your pet in for a checkup as soon as possible. In some cases, you or another family member will need to change bandages to keep the incision point clean.
Follow-Up Appointment
It’s important to make an appointment for your pet soon after surgery for cats and dogs. Your vet will be able to provide an update on your animal’s status and give you further instructions for care at home.
Contact Blvd Animal Hospital today to set up a consultation or to answer questions about which surgeries for cats and dogs we perform.
Contact Us
