Veterinary Surgical Procedures
Surgical Procedures at Islip Animal Hospital
Your pet may require at least one surgical procedure as part of his or her general health care strategy. The veterinary team at Islip Animal Hospital have the knowledge, skill, and compassion to care for your pet from the minute they enter our facility until the time they are ready to go home. Our surgical suite is equipped with modern patient monitoring equipment and fluid pumps.
Surgeries performed at Islip Animal Hospital include, but are not limited to:
- Spay
- Neuter
- Growth removal or tumor biopsy
- Laceration repair
- Urinary bladder surgery & stone removal
- Abdominal exploratory surgery
- Oral surgery (tooth extractions)
- Cesarean section
- Emergency surgery (e.g. foreign object retrieval, wound repair, others as needed)
What to Expect
We know that putting your pet under anesthesia for surgery can be an emotional experience which is why we want you to understand the steps we take to ensure the utmost safety and care of your pet when they are in our surgical care.
Pre-Surgical Care
Before surgery, your pet will be examined by one of our veterinarians, and anesthetics will be individually selected for your pet. Blood tests will also be done before any anesthesia is administered to confirm that your pet’s liver, heart, and kidneys are functioning properly and that your pet is a good candidate for anesthesia.
Prior to induction of anesthesia, an IV catheter is placed in every patient. This allows us to administer warm IV fluids throughout anesthesia, which helps maintain patient hydration and ideal blood volume. The catheter also ensures safety by providing immediate IV access in the unlikely event of an emergency situation.
A comprehensive pain management plan is developed for every patient to keep them as comfortable as possible before, during and after surgery.
During Surgery
During surgery, we have a medically-trained staff member solely keeping an eye on your pet’s vitals. Their main priority is monitoring your pet’s blood pressure, heart activity including heart rate and rhythm (EKG), respiratory functions, body temperature, and making sure your pet is maintaining proper oxygen levels.
After Surgery
Your pet will be constantly monitored by a medically-trained staff member and will be comforted when awaken from surgery. Warm blankets will keep your pet comfortable throughout the recovery process. Pain medication will be given if needed. Our goal is to make sure your pet is safe, healthy, and feeling as little pain as possible.
After your pet is discharged, we will discuss the surgery with you and explain everything you need to know about caring for your pet at home. Within a few days, we will call to see how your pet is recovering, but please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions or concerns.
