Surgery
Our surgical team performs specialty surgery using state-of-the-art technology while putting your pet’s safety and comfort first.
Surgical Services
Our veterinary surgeons are dedicated to providing the very best in surgical care to pets in Northeast Pennsylvania. Our surgeons also act as a resource for your primary care veterinarian by providing consultations on difficult or unusual cases.
Surgical procedures are performed using the latest in pain management techniques and the safest anesthetic protocols.
Orthopedic Surgery Soft Tissue Surgery
What to Expect Before Surgery
Knowing what to expect and how to be prepared for your pet's surgery will make the process easier for both you and your pet.
- Initial Examination
Based on your pet’s health issues, our veterinary surgeons will perform a detailed general, orthopedic, and/or neurological examination. Recommended diagnostic tests, risks, procedures, complications and expected outcomes will be discussed in detail.
Our goal is to make sure you know and understand your pet's treatment plan. Keep in mind that, in many cases our surgeons have performed hundreds, if not thousands, of this exact surgical procedure. Let our experience help guide you and your pet in achieving best possible outcomes.
- The Night Before Surgery
The night before surgery, you are required to refrain from feeding your pet anything after midnight. Water may be provided, but only in small amounts. Current medications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Surgeries are often scheduled within a few days of your initial examination however there are times where additional tests or lab work will be required first.
Speak to your vet if you have any special questions about preoperative instructions.
- The Day of Surgery
Surgery drop-off is between 7am and 8am. Please keep in mind that there are occasions when emergency surgical procedures may cause changes to the drop-off or the surgical schedule. We apologize in advance, should such a case delay your pet’s surgery. Our staff will be sure to let you know of changes and contact you before and after surgery.
We are always staffed with an emergency veterinarian and several nurses so your pet is never alone, and receives the best possible care.
What to Expect During Surgery
While in the care of our skilled surgeons, rest assured that your pet is in good hands. Everything we do and each decision we make is focused on minimizing risk to your pet while striving to ensure post-operative success.
- Anesthetics & Monitoring
Each patient has an anesthetic plan that is tailored to his or her specific needs. Your pet's overall cardiovascular health and lab work are always taken into consideration.
We take extra care to ensure your pet is pain free after surgery by using a multimodal approach which may include one or more of the following: local anesthetic, epidural anesthesia and systemic medications.
Our surgical team at Northeast Veterinary Referral Hospital uses state-of-the-art monitoring equipment (EKG, oscillometric blood pressure, arterial line, pulse oximetry, end tidal CO2, etc.) to monitor your pet’s vitals throughout their procedure.
- Sterilization
All of our procedures utilize strict sterile technique, which means that our operative suite has positive pressure air flow and the room is cleaned after every procedure. Our veterinary surgeons also use sterile prep and full surgical attire (sterile gloves, surgical cap, surgical gown).
What to Expect After Surgery
Once your pet's surgery is complete, the surgeon will contact you to discuss the procedure and recovery plan. When your pet will be ready to go home depends upon the complexity of the procedure and your pet’s health status.
When you arrive to pick up your pet, we will provide you with discharge instructions and answer any questions you have.
From Happy Pet Owners
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Northeast Veterinary Referral Hospital is a kind and caring environment. The Doctor is very knowledgeable and provided us with clear information that helped us make informed decisions.