Surgical

Anesthesia and patient monitoring varies greatly among clinics.

When you choose your veterinarian, question the types of anesthetics used and the protocols for monitoring anesthesia. Specific anethesitics are tailored to the needs of your pets based on concurrent disease status and overall health.

General Anesthesia causes a loss of consciousness and sensation throughout the body. Most general anesthetic procedures involve several steps, beginning with administering a sedative. An intravenous injection of an anesthetic renders the animal unconscious while a breathing tube is placed into the animal’s trachea. A gas anesthetic is delivered in combination with oxygen to the animal via the breathing tube to maintain the state of unconsciousness.

Most anesthetics used in animals today are the same anesthetics used in humans. Although general anesthetics are significantly safer than in the past, there is still a remote chance of an anesthetic accident. There are many ways to reduce the risk associated with anesthesia, including a thorough physical examination and blood work before anesthesia. Intravenous catheters, IV fluids, anesthetic monitoring equipment, and protocol can also contribute to safer anesthesia.

Local Anesthesia causes a loss of sensation in a “local” area to control pain. Small surgical or diagnostic procedures may require a local anesthetic. Some standard procedures that require local anesthesia include biopsies, tooth extractions, and laceration repairs.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call your CityVet location.

A laser creates a specific tissue reaction depending on the wavelength of laser light it produces. For example, CO2 lasers emitting infrared light at 10,600nm, have an exceptional absorption by the water molecules typically found in soft tissue. This CO2 laser energy instantly vaporizes the intracellular water, vaporizing the cells while leaving the surrounding tissue unaffected. This action makes the CO2 laser the best choice for general soft tissue surgery by producing the following benefits:

Less Pain
CO2 laser energy seals nerve endings as it moves through tissue. As a result, the patient feels less pain post-operatively.

Less Swelling
CO2 laser energy seals lymphatic vessels. Additionally, there is no bruising or tearing because only a beam of invisible light contacts the tissue. This reduced tissue trauma minimizes inflammatory responses, reducing swelling.

Less Bleeding
Laser energy seals small blood vessels as it cuts. When defocused, the laser becomes an effective coagulation device. The hemostatic cutting benefits the patient and provides a clear, dry surgical field for the surgeon. Thus the overall procedure time may be decreased.

Quicker Recovery
Decreased bleeding, swelling, and pain mean the patient can return to regular activity and the home environment faster.

Ablation
The unique ability of a CO2 laser to vaporize (ablate or “erase”) tissue sets it apart from any other surgical tool, even other lasers. With the proper tips and power settings, the CO2 Laser can be used to precisely remove tissue layer by layer or to vaporize entire tumors aggressively.

*Available at select CityVet locations. Please call your location regarding this service.

Orthopedic surgery refers to surgery involving the bones and associated structures.

Bone surgery may be necessary in many different situations, including leg fractures, hip dysplasia, disc disease, and torn ligaments. Most orthopedic surgeries can be performed at our clinic. Occasionally, we refer our patients to a board-certified surgeon for back surgery and other complex surgeries.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call your CityVet location.

Anesthesia and patient monitoring varies greatly among clinics.

During general anesthesia, our patients are monitored closely by a veterinary technician (nurse) for heart rate, respiratory rate, capillary refill time, and blood pressure. A change in blood pressure is an early indicator that a pet may be experiencing difficulties. Monitoring blood pressure, pulse, and respiration allows us to intervene earlier and prevent any anesthetic risk to your pet.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call your CityVet location.

Spaying or neutering your pet has many benefits. You contribute to preventing overpopulation, eliminate the sometimes “messy” heat cycles, and help prevent diseases in your pet, such as pyometra (infection in the uterus) and mammary cancer.

Spaying involves surgical removal of both ovaries and the uterus, while neutering involves the removal of testicles.

Soft tissue surgery includes surgeries not associated with bone.

The most common soft tissue surgery performed at our clinics is the removal of masses or “lumps” on animals. Once removed and tested, most of these masses are benign (non-harmful); however, occasionally, they are more serious. Early removal and accurate diagnosis of masses are necessary to improve the outcome in your pet if the mass is cancerous.

Lacerations are also common in pets, and suturing will reduce the chance of infection, improve healing time, and reduce scarring.

Many breeds of dogs are susceptible to ear infections. With certain ear infections, dogs or cats can develop an aural hematoma of the pinna (outer ear flap). This happens when a blood vessel bursts inside the pinna, usually secondary to scratching or shaking the head. Aural hematomas often require surgical repair to heal correctly.

Tearing in your pet’s eyes can mean an infection is present or a sign that the cornea (outer layer of the eye) has been damaged. A damaged cornea may require soft tissue surgery so the eye can heal faster with less scarring. Less scarring will improve your pet’s ability to see. In some animals, the cornea may be damaged by the eyelid hairs surrounding the eye. Surgical intervention involving the eyelid improves the comfort of these animals, reduces the chances of corneal scarring, and enhances the animal’s vision in the long term.

When a pet ingests an object they aren’t supposed to eat, surgery may be required to retrieve it from the stomach or intestines. Once the object is removed, the intestines and stomach will heal and allow food to pass once again.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call your CityVet location.

Tranquilizing or sedating an animal is a common practice to calm it under various conditions. The animal stays awake or may “sleep,” but it awakens easily when stimulated. Pet owners often seek sedation for their animals to help them during travel, thunderstorms, fireworks, and other similar situations. Sedation and tranquilization are not without risk, and each animal should be assessed prior to dispensing these medicines.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call your CityVet location.