Making decisions about pet surgery can be a stressful time in the lives of pets and pet owners alike. While you care for your pet the best you can, unpredictable accidents may still happen–from swallowing something they shouldn’t to gastric torsion, and even blunt force trauma. If any of these emergencies do occur with your pet, True Care for Pets is your 24/7 resource for emergency pet surgery.
At True Care for Pets, our advanced diagnostic equipment–including digital radiography and ultrasounds–will make it easier for our team to swiftly and precisely diagnose your pet’s health problem. Unlike traditional x-rays, digital radiography delivers immediate diagnostic imaging results of your pet’s bone structure. Digital radiography is especially important for blunt force trauma injuries, like bone fractures, that require immediate orthopedic surgery.
Ultrasound imaging is an excellent tool to help diagnose your pet’s condition accurately and quickly. In the case of swallowing a mysterious object, ultrasound imaging allows our emergency vets to identify the precise location of the object, and plan the safest and most efficient surgical solution.
FAQ: Emergency Pet Surgery
Do pets require dental surgery?
Our emergency pet hospital may recommend dental surgery to deal with a problem like a damaged or severely infected tooth. While antibiotics can control acute dental infections, an infected tooth may need to be extracted so that other teeth continue to thrive. Some pets may also have a problem with retained baby teeth that make it difficult for permanent teeth to grow in. The extraction of these baby teeth may be recommended to ensure the health of the permanent teeth. Cleaning and root planing under anesthesia is also considered a type of surgery.
Which surgeries are considered routine?
Spay and neuter surgeries are among the most typical of all pet surgeries. These procedures remove the male or female reproductive organs, both to prevent unwanted pregnancy and to eliminate the risks of reproductive cancers. The dental cleaning procedure mentioned above is another routine wellness procedure aimed at reducing the risk of tooth and gum disease.
Which conditions call for emergency surgery?
Conditions that call for emergency surgery include severe bleeding, broken bones, organ damage, gastric dilatation volvulus (twisted stomach), and difficult labor. A tumor, stone, or other obstacle to normal internal function may also require immediate surgery.
When might my pet need orthopedic surgery?
Any injury or degenerative illness that affects your pet’s joints may respond well to orthopedic surgery. Reconstructive knee surgery is a good example. Our veterinarian may recommend an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) repair or a triple plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Pets with severe dysplasia may also benefit from hip surgery.
How should I prepare my pet for surgery?
The night before your scheduled procedure, remove all food sources after your pet’s final meal of the day. This will help to ensure that your buddy has an empty stomach for the surgery.
What happens after the surgery?
Your pet may need to remain at the hospital for a period of observation. After you’re allowed to bring him home, watch for any redness, swelling, bleeding, or oozing that might indicate a possible complication. Your veterinarian will be in contact about any necessary follow-up appointments.