Veterinary Surgery in Vancouver

What to Expect from Veterinary Surgery in Vancouver

We always keep you fully informed about why we are recommending a surgical procedure and regarding any post-operative care your pet will need at home. We practice stringent surgical protocols at our clinic.

Surgical Procedures

At Mountain View Veterinary Hospital, we perform medical surgeries to help treat disease and conditions in pets or to repair injuries sustained through trauma.

Our Vancouver vets routinely perform the following elective and non-elective surgeries:

• Soft Tissue Surgery

  For pets suffering from ear, nose, and throat disorders, we offer soft tissue surgical procedures.

  These procedures are also available for hepatic, urogenital, oncological, cardiothoracic, gastrointestinal, and skin disorders. 

• Spaying & Neutering

  When we spay or neuter a cat or dog, we surgically sterilize them to prevent disease and provide them with an extended life expectancy. 

• C-Sections

  During Cesarean sections, we surgically remove puppies or kittens from their mother's uterus.

  C-sections are typically performed when the mother is unable to give birth naturally. 

• Mass Removal

  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 surgery is a fairly common procedure for both cats and dogs.

• 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 Vancouver 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 imperative that these wounds be cleaned, disinfected, and appropriately cared for by a qualified veterinarian as soon as possible. 

• Orthopedic Surgery

  Orthopedic surgeries correct injuries and diseases of the bones, ligaments, joints, tendons, and other skeletal structures in your pet. If your dog or cat is suffering from a condition or injury that requires advanced specialized care, your vet will refer your dog or cat to a vet surgeon near Vancouver.

• Dental Surgery

  Our veterinarians provide dental surgeries for dogs and cats. These surgeries can range from tooth extractions to gum disease treatment and jaw fracture repairs.

• Cystotomies

  A cystotomy is a surgical opening created in the wall of the urinary bladder. This procedure allows the surgeon to look inside the bladder.

  Cystotomy is most indicated for treatment of bladder problems including removal of bladder stones, bladder tumors, and blood clots.

• Amputations

  Deciding to amputate your pet’s leg can be difficult and emotional. We understand your fears and provide support to each client throughout the process. Amputation is one of the best treatment options to control or eliminate certain types of cancer, as well as when a limb is damaged beyond repair, and many patients undergo this surgery without complication each year.

  One of the primary concerns you may have regarding amputation is the uncertainty of how your pet will adapt to having only three legs, both mentally and physically. Although people may have complicated feelings about the loss of a limb, such as anger, shame, or even embarrassment, we have to remember that pets do not think like people. A pet with three legs interacts with other animals and people the same as a pet with four legs.

• Anal sacculectomies

  Frequent anal gland infection can lead to negative health effects. Your veterinarian may determine that the best course of action is to remove anal glands to prevent further problems. In this procedure, a small incision is made in the area of the glands, and they are removed.

• Eye enucleations

  Enucleation is most commonly advised to relieve uncontrollable pain associated with an eye condition. The most common reasons for enucleation include glaucoma, neoplasia (cancer inside or around the eye), severe trauma that cannot be repaired surgically, and severe infection that cannot be managed with medication. In the case of a blind but comfortable eye, enucleation is usually not necessary. However, a blind and painful eye will distress your pet, and in the case of glaucoma, the pain is often compared to having chronic migraines. Enucleation will alleviate this pain and is preferable to the long-term use of medication.

• Splenectomies

  Splenectomy is a procedure to remove the spleen. A full open abdominal exploratory surgery is typically performed, allowing for access to the full blood supply and for evaluation of other abdominal organs. However, in non-emergency situations, minimally invasive techniques (laparoscopy) have been reported in both dogs and cats to remove the spleen. Removal of the spleen can serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic endeavor. 

The Veterinary 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 veterinary 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 Vancouver, 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 wears 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.