Surgery

General Surgery Information

Surgical procedures are performed Monday through Friday. Surgery drop-off time is 8-8:30 am. To provide continued monitoring of surgical patients overnight, most surgery patients are picked up to go home the same day as their procedure. Surgery pickup time is 4-4:30 pm unless notified otherwise.

Surgical procedures we perform:

  • ovariohysterectomy (spay/female neuter)
  • castration (male neuter)
  • rabbit spay and neuter
  • dental prophylaxis (professional cleaning)
  • teeth extractions
  • mass removals
  • urinary stone removals
  • third-eyelid (cherry eye) repairs
  • wound repairs
  • hernia repairs
  • hematoma correction
  • dewclaw removals
  • cat declaws
  • amputations
  • dental cleanings
  • puppy tail docking/dewclaw removal
  • pyometra surgery
  • cesarean (c-section)
  • ...and more

All patients needing to be scheduled for a surgery are required to have a complete physical exam prior to scheduling their procedure.

Surgical quotes for surgeries can be discussed at the time of a physical exam as exam findings may affect the surgical plan.

Anesthesia is always associated with risks. To help mitigate these risks, pre-operative bloodwork is required for all patients undergoing sedation or anesthesia. For your convenience, pre-operative bloodwork is included in the package pricing for all surgical procedures. In some cases, bloodwork results may affect whether or not the procedure is performed as scheduled.

We take great care for all patients that are under anesthesia to minimize risks associated with the procedure. In addition to the bloodwork, we use a combination of injectable medications as well as inhalant anesthesia to achieve an appropriate plane of anesthesia and allow the patient to wake up quickly and easily afterward. During the procedure, all patients are continuously monitored for heart rate, respiration, EKG, temperature, oxygen levels, and blood pressure throughout the procedure. Dogs and cats receive continuous monitoring after the procedure as well to ensure a normal recovery.

Surgical procedures often result in unavoidable pain to our patients. Because of this, we are committed to multimodal pain management to ease suffering and improve recovery. Our surgical procedures include pain control during anesthesia, post operative pain control, laser therapy (when not contraindicated), and medication to go home.

Surgical Requirements

A Pre-Surgical Exam/Office Visit must be done before scheduling an appointment for surgery. This is to make sure your pet is healthy, up-to-date with vaccinations, on heartworm prevention, and free of external and internal parasites. New patients must show proof of vaccinations and heartworm prevention from a licensed veterinarian. If any services are needed prior to surgery, we can perform them at the time of the preoperative exam. We recommend allowing at least 48 between vaccination and surgical procedures to watch your cat or dog for any possible vaccine reactions and to allow the vaccinations to take effect to protect your pet before being housed with other patients. You may fax medical/vaccinations records in advance of your preoperative exam to (281) 574-2587 or e-mail to [email protected]

Because dogs and cats that are scheduled for surgery are housed with other patients, all dogs and cats must be up-to-date on vaccines and free of parasites. Dogs are required to be current on heartworm prevention. Owners may bring proof of a negative heartworm test and prevention being taken if these services were performed elsewhere.

Surgery Requirements for Dogs for all Procedures

  • Rabies Vaccination
  • DAPP Vaccination (Distemper, Adenovirus type 2, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza)
  • Leptospirosis 4 Vaccination
  • Bordetella Vaccination
  • Bivalent Influenza Vaccination*
  • Must have tested negative for heartworm disease and be on heartworm preventative. Proof of a heartworm test with test results within two weeks is accepted.
  • Must be free of fleas
  • Must be free of intestinal parasites as shown by fecal test (proof of intestinal parasite control or deworming within two weeks is accepted).

*Bivalent influenza - the bivalent influenza vaccine is for the H3N2 and H3N8 strains of canine influenza. Vaccination against both strains is required. This vaccine is not the same as parainfluenza which is included in some distemper combination vaccines and some intranasal bordatella vaccinations, they are different viruses.

Surgery Requirements for Cats for all Procedures

  • Rabies Vaccination
  • FVRCPC Vaccination (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia Psittaci)
  • Feline Leukemia Vaccination
  • Must be free of fleas
  • Must be free of intestinal parasites as shown by fecal test (proof of intestinal parasite control or deworming within two weeks is accepted).

Dog and Cat Spays and Neuters

The cost of the procedures below will include Pre-Surgical Blood Testing, Anesthesia and Continuous Patient Monitoring, Surgical Procedure, & Pain Medication. Spay/Neuter prices are determined by the size of your dog or cat. Please give our office a call for a surgical quote.

Dog Spay* 

Dog spay prices vary based on the following weight ranges:

  • 4-25 Lbs.
  • 26-40 Lbs.
  • 41-65 Lbs.
  • 66-100 Lbs.
  • 100.1 Lbs. and up

*If your dog is in heat or pregnant at the time of spay, there is an additional fee due to the increased complexity and risks of the procedure. Often we are unable to assess heat or pregnancy status prior to the start of the procedure. If you know your dog is in heat, we recommend waiting 4 weeks after bleeding stops before scheduling the surgery.

Cat Spay*

Cat spay pricing is uniform for all sizes. Cats need to be at least 4 lbs. for the spay procedure.

*If the cat is in heat, there will be an additional fee due to increased complications. Because heat symptoms are not always apparent, we may be unaware she is in heat prior to the start of the surgical procedure.

Dog Neuter*

Dog neuters vary in price based on sizes according to the following ranges:

  • 4-40 Lbs.
  • 41-65 Lbs.
  • 66-100 Lbs.
  • 100.0 Lbs. and up

*If your dog is cryptorchid, meaning one or both of the testicles has not descended into the scrotum there is an additional fee added to the price of the neuter. The fee will vary based on the location of the undescended testicle(s). An additional incision may be required to locate and remove the undescended testicle(s).

Cat Neuter*

Cat neuters are the same price no matter the size of the cat. Cats must be at least 4 lbs. to be neutered.

  • Cryptorchid Fee (Applied at time of surgery only if cryptorchidism is apparent)

*If your cat is cryptorchid, meaning one or both of the testicles has not descended into the scrotum there is an additional fee added to the price of the neuter. The fee will vary based on the location of the undescended testicle(s). An additional incision may be required to locate and remove the undescended testicle(s).

Why is it important to neuter a cryptorchid pet?

*Cryptorchidism is when one or both testicles fail to descend into the scrotum. This condition is a fairly common problem; seen in dogs, cats and other animals . This is a well-documented genetic trait — animals with this condition should not be bred. Opinions will vary, but if your dog or cat is still cryptorchid (one or both testicles) by 6 months of age, it is highly unlikely that the testicle(s) will ever drop, and the animal should be neutered to prevent testicular tumor formation and passing on this genetic trait to future generations. If the testicle is not readily palpable in the inguinal canal (groin area), abdominal exploration is necessary to find the retained testicle.

Additional Services

Additional services including microchipping, fluids, nail trims, and more are available for patients undergoing surgery. Please inquire about these services for additional pricing information.

Preparing for your dog or cat's surgery

There are important steps to take prior to your pet's surgical procedure.

  1. A non-refundable surgery deposit is collected to secure your pet's surgery spot. The deposit is applied to the total cost of the procedure when you check out that day. For more information, please view and sign the Surgery and Anesthetic Deposit Authorization.
  2. Ensure the procedure is scheduled appropriately. For surgical procedures that result in an incision, patients will need to have activity restricted for 10-14 days after the procedure. It is optimal that the procedure occurs during normal routines. If extra activity or guests are going to be at the home, the added excitement or stress of a dog or cat may affect their ability to properly rest and heal.
  3. Make sure the home is safe and minimal obstacles are around for pets that will be wearing an e-collar. Outdoor pets with a procedure resulting in an incision will need to be kept indoors to ensure their incision site stays clean. Prepare the home to facilitate ease of movement for your pet. Make an area available for a litterbox for outdoor cats or those that typically eliminate outside.
  4. Be sure you will be able to pick up your pet the day of the procedure. If you need to have another authorized individual pick up your pet, let us know who it will be. All individuals picking up pets will need to be at least 18 years of age and able to pay for services. While we will take a deposit for the procedure at drop-off if desired, occasionally there are unforeseen costs that will need to be reconciled when the patient is released from surgery.
  5. Your dog or cat will need to be fasted for the procedure. If they receive food the morning of the surgical procedure, the procedure will need to be rescheduled. Food will need to be taken up after 9 pm the day before the procedure. Water may be provided until bedtime, but no water overnight. No breakfast or water may be given the morning of the procedure. If your pet typically receives morning medications or supplements, withhold them unless instructed otherwise. You may bring the medications with your pet the morning of surgery in case they may be given safely after they have been awakened from the procedure. Alternately, some pets may receive the injectable version of the medication where indicated.
  6. A Drop-Off Form will need to be completed for each pet that is dropped off for surgical procedures. You may complete and submit the Drop-Off Form prior to your pet's scheduled procedure to expedite the check in process.

Additional Surgery Notes:

  1. All pets with live fleas will be treated for fleas with flea control, for an additional fee depending on pet’s weight.
  2. Rabbits must be brought in with food and water as we do not with hold them from feeding all day long.
  3. Patients receiving surgical procedures that result in an incision site need to wear an e-collar for 10-14 days while the incision heals. Damage to the incision site caused by the dog or cat due to not wearing an e-collar may necessitate an additional surgical procedure to repair the incision. For convenience purposes, we offer multiple sizes of e-collars that can be purchased from us.
  4. Patients waking up from anesthesia may experience some nausea. It is recommended that they eat a smaller meal than normal the day they come home from the procedure. Normal appetite will typically return by the next day, however, if inappetence lasts for more than 24 hours in cats or 48 hours in dogs, it it important to contact us. For dogs and cats receiving a dental cleaning, and especially if extractions were performed, canned food is recommended for several days after the procedure.
  5. For patients with an incision site, activity will need to be restricted for 10-14 days after the procedure. If activity restriction is difficult, the use of a kennel may be needed and dogs may need to be leash walked to eliminate to avoid running and playing while outside.
  6. All anesthesia patients will go home with discharge instructions with more details on what to look out for and how to care for your pet post-surgery.