Pet Surgery in Toledo, OH

Pet Surgery

Cat and dog surgery helps correct and prevent a wide number of issues, from masses and tumors to an ingested foreign body, to bladder stones, and much more. At Heatherdowns Veterinary Clinic, our vets only decide on surgery after careful consideration of all your pet’s options.

Making Safety Our Priority

With the use of general anesthesia for surgery, there are naturally some risks involved. However, with our extensive safety protocols and attentive staff, we’re able to minimize those risks so your pet emerges from surgery as healthy (or healthier!) than when they went in.

• Pre-anesthetic bloodwork and exam. With bloodwork and an exam before every surgery, we can detect any potential underlying conditions that may affect your pet’s response to anesthesia. It also helps us determine the amount of anesthesia your pet will need for their procedure.
• IV fluids. For most surgeries, we’ll set up an IV catheter to supply your pet with fluids that help keep them hydrated and regulate their blood pressure.
• Extensive monitoring. A dedicated surgical technician monitors your pet’s vitals throughout the procedure. We monitor your pet’s heart rate and rhythm, pulse oximetry, respiration rate, body temperature, blood pressure, and more.
• Pain medications. We administer pain medications before, during, and after the procedure so your pet wakes with minimal discomfort. We’ll also send you home with the appropriate meds to aid in their recovery.

How to Help Your Pet Recover at Home

After every procedure, we’ll give you detailed instructions for taking care of your pet at home. Since pets are so resilient, especially when they are young, they often bounce back quickly and are ready to get back to their usual rambunctious activities. However, it’s up to you to curb their activity so they can fully heal.

Here’s how you can help your pet heal faster:

• Place them in a quiet area of the house and away from other pets to help them resist the urge to jump, run, or play.
• If an e-collar doesn’t work for your pet, you can always try putting them in an old T-shirt or onesie to help prevent them from licking or scratching at their sutures.
• Keep an eye on your pet’s incision and watch for signs of swelling, discharge, discoloration, and ripped sutures. If you notice any of these, please call us.
• While your pet’s full appetite won’t return for up to 48 hours after surgery, they should still be munching when they’re hungry. If they go 24 hours without touching their food, please call us immediately.