Surgical Services
Our experienced veterinarians provide many surgical services at our clinic, ranging from routine to advanced procedures. Because we want to ensure that our patients receive the best possible outcome, we occasionally refer them to specialists (board-certified veterinary surgeons) to perform complex operations when advanced equipment or training will be beneficial. Our veterinary team takes every precaution so that your pet receives the highest-quality care. We perform a physical exam and pre-anesthetic testing before surgery, monitor your pet during surgery and provide appropriate pain medication to keep your pet comfortable during recovery.
Spaying
Spaying your pet has many benefits. The procedure, which prevents female animals from becoming pregnant and reproducing, can help your dog or cat live a longer, healthier life. Spaying will not change your pet’s personality.
By spaying your female pet, you’re protecting her against potentially deadly diseases, including bacterial infections, reproductive tract diseases, and several types of cancer. You also won’t have to worry about her going into heat. This means avoiding the mess that often accompanies the heat cycle in female dogs and the pacing and crying that happens with female cats. In addition, spaying your pet will help control the dog and cat overpopulation problem, keeping more animals out of shelters.
Spaying, which involves removing the ovaries and uterus, is a surgical procedure and does need to be performed with the pet under anesthesia. We follow strict protocols and continually monitor your pet’s vital signs to help ensure her safety.
Neutering
Neutering your pet has many benefits. The procedure, which prevents male animals from reproducing, can help your dog or cat live a longer, healthier life. Neutering will not change your pet’s personality.
By neutering your pet, you’re reducing or eliminating his risk for prostate and testicular cancer, as well as sexually transmitted diseases. Neutering will also reduce or eliminate undesirable and embarrassing behavior, including roaming, fighting, humping, and spraying. In addition, neutering your pet will help control the dog and cat overpopulation problem, keeping more animals out of shelters.
Neutering, which involves removing the testicles, is a surgical procedure and does need to be performed with the pet under anesthesia. We follow strict protocols and continually monitor your pet’s vital signs to help ensure his safety. Please see the descriptions under Anesthesia and Patient Monitoring for more information on what we do to keep your pet safe.
To set up an appointment to have your pet neutered or to learn more about this procedure, please call or visit our clinic. If you are struggling with the decision of whether to neuter your pet, please call us or stop by so we can discuss your concerns.
Soft Tissue Surgery
Some of the more common soft tissue procedures performed on pets are:
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Abdominal Exploratory
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Foreign Body Retrieval
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Splenectomy
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Cystotomy
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Soft Tissue Skin Mass Removal
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And many more
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If needed, we have a board-certified surgeon available who is able to perform advanced orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries.
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopic surgery, also called minimally invasive surgery, is a modern surgical technique. The biggest difference in laparoscopic surgery is how quickly your pet can recover from the procedure, Advantages include:
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Reduced pain due to smaller incisions
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Reduced hemorrhaging
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Shorter recovery time
Procedures offered at Aspen Animal Hospital with the laparoscope include:
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Ovariectomy: using the laparoscope in this common female procedure increases recovery time up to 65% and significantly decreases pain
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Cystoscopy
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Abdominal Exploratory: Aiding in non-invasive biopsies
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Cryptorchid removal
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Laryngoscopy
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Otoscopy
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Rhinoscopy
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Gastropexy
Our veterinarians are highly skilled and trained in this field of non-invasive surgery.
TPLO Surgery
The goal of the Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy procedure is to return the knee to stability while the patient is moving. This is accomplished by rotating the top of the tibia (tibial plateau) to a predetermined degree (leveling). This is accomplished by performing a curved cut (osteotomy) in the top of the tibia. After the tibial plateau is rotated, a stainless steel bone plate is applied across the osteotomy with screws securing it to the bone. This plate holds the tibial plateau in its new position until the bone cut heals. This is a permanent change in the bone.
Most dogs do very well with stabilization by the TPLO method. That said, it is impossible for any procedure to completely normalize the knee joint after it is injured. The joint will never be perfectly pristine again. In most cases, though, the functionality of the joint is very good. With the TPLO, the expected function is ~85-90% at 4-5 months post-op.