Veterinary Surgery
We offer a wide range of surgical procedures for cats and dogs at our Santa Cruz clinic, using stringent surgical protocols.
During each surgery at our veterinary facility, a member of our veterinary staff will administer anesthesia to your pet and continuously monitor their condition using our patient monitoring equipment. We will also provide pain management.
Post-operative monitoring and pain management are our priorities following surgery. Your vet will also provide thorough instructions for at-home care.
What to Expect from Surgery at Companion Animal Hospital
We always aim to keep you fully informed about why we are recommending a given surgical procedure. We will also walk you through any pre or post-operative care your pet will require when they are at home. We always practice stringent surgical safety protocols at our hospital.
Surgical Procedures
At Companion Animal Hospital, we are able to perform medical and emergency surgeries in order to help treat diseases and conditions in pets as well as to repair injuries sustained through trauma.
Our Santa Cruz vets routinely perform the following elective and non-elective surgeries:
- Spaying & Neutering
When spaying or neutering a dog or cat, we surgically sterilize them in order to prevent disease and provide them with an extended life expectancy.
- Mass Removal & Soft Tissue Surgery
Cats and dogs can develop masses associated with the skin. Masses can also grow inside a body cavity and can be serious or life-threatening.
Mass removal surgeries are fairly common procedures both for dogs and cats at our Santa Cruz animal hospital.
- Foreign Body
Sometimes, foreign objects are ingested or can get stuck inside a cat's or dog's body.
Whether your pet has eaten an object they shouldn't have or an accident has left them injured, we can perform foreign body surgery to remove it.
In some cases, specialized skills or equipment are needed to perform pet surgery. If that is the case for your animal, your vet will refer you to a cat or dog surgeon near Santa Cruz and work closely with your veterinary surgeon to ensure that your dog or cat receives the very best care.
- Wounds
Wounds occur when living tissue has been cut, broken, burnt, torn, or otherwise damaged.
It's incredibly important that wounds be cleaned, disinfected, and cared for by a qualified veterinarian as soon as possible.
- Cystotomy
During a cystotomy, an incision is made into the dog or cat's urinary bladder to facilitate the removal of bladder stones and/or urethral stones.
- Dental Surgery
Our veterinarians provide dental surgeries for dogs and cats. These surgeries can range from tooth extractions to gum disease treatment.
Our experienced vets offer specialty dental services such as root canals and crown impressions and placement for cats and dogs in Santa Cruz County and beyond.
The Surgery Process
We understand that the prospect of bringing your pet in for surgery can be frightening. Please be assured that we recommend surgery only when it is in the best interests of your furry companion.
We will ensure that you fully understand why we are recommending surgery, and that you are comfortable making the decision to move ahead.
If your pet requires advanced care, our vets will refer you to a veterinary surgeon near Santa Cruz, and work closely with your vet surgeon to ensure that your pet receives the best possible care.
Surgical protocols at our clinic include:
Pre-surgical assessments. We will confirm the specifics of the procedure, complete a physical examination of the patient, and make sure blood tests have been completed and reviewed by the vet in order to determine if your pet faces any risk of anesthesia-related complications.
Dedicated surgical suites. Surgeries are performed in a dedicated surgical suite. This room is kept completely sterile to prevent infection and cross-contamination.
Surgical attire. Our staff all wear disposable caps and masks at all times when they are in the surgical suite. Those involved in the procedure itself will also wear sterile gowns and single-use gloves.
Sterile packs and equipment. We carefully clean, sterilize and wrap our surgical instruments and equipment prior to every surgery.