Veterinary Surgery
At our Tumwater veterinary hospital, we offer a wide range of surgical procedures for cats and dogs and use stringent surgical protocols in our operating suite.
During each surgery, a dedicated nurse will administer anesthesia and continuously monitor your pet using electronic patient monitoring equipment. Pain management is also provided.
Following surgery, post-operative monitoring and pain management becomes first priority. Your vet will also provide thorough instructions for at-home care.
What to Expect from Vet Surgery
We are committed to keeping 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 Tumwater Veterinary Hospital, we perform medical and emergency surgeries to help treat disease and conditions in pets or to repair injuries sustained through trama.
Our Tumwater 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 Caesarean 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.
- Ocular (Limited)
If your pet is experiencing pain, redness or other symptoms in or around their eyes, they may need ocular surgery.
Common ocular procedures for cats and dogs include eyelid tumor removal, cataract surgery, ectropion surgery, entropion surgery, exenteration of the orbit and cherry eye surgery.
If your cat or dog requires a veterinary surgical specialist to perform the surgery, our veterinarians will refer you to a pet surgeon near Tumwater and work closely with your animal surgeon to ensure that your pet receives the best possible care.
- 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 Tumwater 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 Surgery Process
We understand that the prospect of bringing your pet in for surgery can feel overwhelming. You can trust that we'll 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 choice to move ahead.
If your pet requires advanced care, our vets will refer you to a veterinary surgeon near Tumwater, 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.
