Taking your pet to the veterinarian's office for surgery can be scary. There are several types of surgeries, ranging from routine outpatient surgery to emergency surgery to save your pet's life. Understanding the surgical procedures and care can help ease your mind as your pet undergoes surgery. Below, let's examine some common routine and emergency surgeries, and understand what to expect at the veterinarian's office.
Routine Surgery
There are several reasons why your pet may come to the vet's office for surgery, and several surgeries are very routine. Dental cleanings are technically a type of surgery because they often require the removal of a tooth dental abscess. Sometimes pets will have a small tumor or growth that develops on their body. These can be benign tumors, but still must be surgically removed for testing. Further, spaying and neutering your pet, although more involved, is a very routine surgery performed in just a matter of minutes.
Emergency Surgery
Unfortunately, sometimes pets require emergency surgery. Often, pets will ingest a foreign object that becomes stuck in the digestive tract. If left in the intestines, or lodged in the stomach, this can be fatal for pets. Emergency surgery is required to remove the mass. Pets can also have ligament and tendon tears, such as ACL tears, that require emergency surgery to repair. Further, sometimes cats can develop serious urinary tract infections from blockages that form over time. These blockages must also be removed via emergency surgery.
What to Expect
When your pet comes in for surgery, your vet will first take some measurements, such as blood pressure and temperature, to get a baseline for your pet. Your veterinarian will also perform some blood tests to make sure your pet is healthy enough to undergo surgery. Your pet will go into surgery, followed by a recovery period. Once your vet deems it is safe for your pet to leave the office, he or she will call you to pick up your pet. There may have special aftercare instructions which can include medicine, bandage changes, or even physical therapy to help get swollen or stiff joints moving again. Depending on the surgery, your vet may want to schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor progress.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
At Avalon Animal Clinic we care about your pet's well-being. We understand that surgery is a scary time for you and your pet, and want to make you feel comfortable and stress-free. Our team aims to educate our clients, so they understand the procedure and feel at ease. Our team at Avalon Animal Clinic is professional, knowledgeable, and dedicated to providing the best possible care for your pet. Our office is centrally located at 8076 North Shadeland Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46250. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment with our veterinarian, call us today at (317) 842-4618.