Veterinary Surgery
Surgery for pets is very similar to surgery for humans. During your dog or cat's pre-operative appointment, the necessary preparations for surgery will be discussed.
Our veterinary surgeons offer a wide range of surgical procedures for pets from soft tissue surgeries to dog orthopedic surgeries to help restore your pet's health.
At our Thornton animal hospital we will provide your pet with the surgery they need while living up to stringent surgical protocols.
During each surgery, a dedicated nurse will administer anesthesia and continuously monitor your pet using both manual and electronic patient monitoring equipment.
Post-operative monitoring and pain management are our priorities following surgery. We will ensure that your pet begins their recovery as comfortably as possible in their heated kennel that contains warm blankets.
Your vet surgeon will also provide thorough at-home care instructions for your pet. These instructions will include details on when and how to administer medications and when to book your pet's follow-up appointment.
What to Expect from Vet Surgery
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.
Vet Surgical Procedures
At Caring Hands Veterinary Hospital, we perform medical and emergency surgeries to help treat disease and conditions in pets or to repair injuries sustained through trauma.
Our Thornton veterinary surgeons 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
Both spaying and neutering refer to the surgical sterilization of an animal under general anesthesia.
Spaying is the surgical procedure for female animals. Technically known as an ovariohysterectomy, spaying removes a female's reproductive organs.
Neutering, or orchiectomy, removes the testicles from male pets and is considered a simpler surgery than a spay. The term 'neutering' can also, in some cases, refer to the desexing or 'fixing' of either gender.
- Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic surgeries correct injuries and diseases of the bones, ligaments, joints, tendons, and other skeletal structures in your pet.
If your pet is suffering from a condition or injury that requires advanced specialized care your vet will refer you to a specialized dog orthopedic surgeon near Thornton, or other specialized veterinary surgeon near Thornton.
Our vets work closely with a network of veterinary orthopedic vets near Thornton and across the greater Denver area.
- 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.
- 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 and urgent surgery to remove the foreign object is required.
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 Thornton 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.
The Veterinary Surgery Process
Our team understands 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 beloved cat or dog.
We will ensure that you fully understand why we are recommending surgery for your pet and that you are comfortable making the decision to move ahead.
If your animal requires advanced care, our vets will refer you to a veterinary surgeon near Thornton, and work closely with your pet's surgeon to ensure that your animal 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.