Unlike as is the case for ourselves, surgery is an experience most pets have early in life. With the exception of many of our sporting breeds or working dogs, most pet owners elect to spay or neuter their new family member in order to help minimize the risk of some behavioral concerns, or potentially more pressing, the risk of dangerous conditions later in life (for example, breast cancer or a uterine infection). Of course, as there are so many pets waiting for homes, spaying or neutering your pet can help reduce pet over-population. Just take a look at Twin Cities Pet Rescue webpage (www.tcpetrescue.org) to see some local pets who are searching for a family! We have been fortunate enough to spay/neuter (among other things) many of these pets in order to get them ready for adoption.
Although many veterinary surgeries are commonly performed, they are certainly not routine. Did you know a spay in a female dog or cat is essentially the same thing as a hysterectomy (plus the ovaries) in a woman? At Rice Creek Animal Hospital, Dr. Hansen has a special interest in surgery. From the pre-surgical preparation extending to the choice of anesthetic drugs and down to the medications provided following surgery, each patient is treated individually, taking the patient’s age, breed (some breeds are more sensitive to certain drugs than others), temperament, and degree of discomfort expected with surgery. With this tailored approach, we can help ensure your pet’s procedure is as safe and pain free as possible.
Even though a spay or neuter may be the most predictable surgery a pet may experience, many unexpected procedures can arise over a pet’s lifetime. Other surgeries that may be performed at Rice Creek Animal Hospital include:
- Mass/tumor removals
- Bladder surgery (stone removals)
- Gastric (stomach) or intestinal surgery
- Dental and oral surgery
- Fracture repair
- Some orthopedic (bone) surgery
- Biopsies
- Ocular surgery (eye conditions)
- In some cases, a particular surgery may warrant special attention. Fortunately, Rice Creek Animal Hospital has access to board certified veterinary surgeons should the need arise.
From the perspective of the pet owner’s family, the risk associated with anesthesia is often the biggest concern. Although we can never eliminate anesthetic concerns, Rice Creek Animal Hospital has many of the same monitors that you would have while undergoing surgery. Each patient who receives anesthesia will have a blood pressure monitor, oxygenation monitor (which ensures your pet is breathing correctly and is receiving enough oxygen), and ECG (heart rate and rhythm monitor). We even have a heated table and special blanket that keeps your pet warm during surgery… something that every pet is grateful for!