Surgery

At some point in your pet’s life, they may need surgery to improve their quality of life. As fur parents you want to know that your pet is getting the best care by well trained professionals and that is what we offer here at Valley Veterinary Services. Our surgeons are very experienced in effectively diagnosing and treating patients with surgery. Our hospital has up-to-date technology and employs the most current surgical practices. We can assure you that our team is very compassionate and motivated to resolve your pet’s condition with whatever surgery they require.

What happens before surgery?

To ensure that surgery is the right option for your pet our veterinarians need to know your pet’s history and physical condition, to get this information we perform a pre-surgical examination. This means that a full physical examination is conducted and the veterinarians will check records of any pre-existing conditions that might affect surgery/anesthesia. A routine blood panel is also conducted to detect any abnormalities in your pets. Blood testing tells our veterinarians if your pet is a good candidate for surgery.

What types of surgeries does your hospital offer?

Here at our hospital we perform many surgeries that are crucial to your pet’s health. Below are a list of surgeries that we regularly perform:\

• Cancer Surgery
• Endoscopy
• Surgical Biopsy
• Dental Extraction
• Spays and Neuter
• Eye Surgery
• ACL Repair (Cruciate Ligament) Knee Surgery

and more…

How should I prepare my pet for surgery?

Each pet may require different prep routines based on their unique condition. Our veterinarians will inform you of any special precautions that you need to take for your pet. At our hospital, we have general guidelines that we require most of our patients to follow.

• Ensure your pet is fully vaccinated with proof prior surgery
• The morning of the procedure ensure that your pet does not eat or drink
• Arrive on time for their surgery time slot

How should I care for my pet post-surgery?

When pets undergo a procedure, they require special care to recover and get back to their normal health. At our hospital, we offer hospitalization for pets who require monitoring for some time. In addition, our veterinarians will also prescribe medications to use at home, luckily for pet owners our hospital has a pharmacy on site. Here’s a list of how you can care for your pet after surgery:

• Make your pet comfortable. This could involve keeping them relaxed, making sure they sleep well (i.e. their bed is comfortable) and monitoring their temperature.
• Encourage them to eat. Most pets will eat less following surgery and this is completely normal. Please note that some post-op medications require pets to eat in order to take them.
• Avoid excessive movements. For pets to recover quickly it’s best for them to get enough rest. Your veterinarian will inform you if your pet needs to perform certain exercises or activities during recovery.
• Continue with check-ups and follow post-surgery instructions. It is best to keep your veterinarians informed of any progress or developments in your pet’s post-op. Our veterinarians have years of experience and have knowledge on your pet’s conditions, we can provide help to give your pet a smooth recovery.

How long does it take for pets to recover from surgery?

Full recovery from surgery depends on the procedure that your pet has undergone. It is best to ask your veterinarian the approximate time it may take for your pet to recover. Some pets experience pain that lasts up to three days (e.g. post abdominal surgery).