Soft Tissue Surgery

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Our goal is to offer you comprehensive surgical care while also providing instruction for our veterinary students, interns, and residents. We collaborate with other areas of our hospital to serve and treat your pet, and our collective knowledge and expertise can be a great advantage for the success of your pet's treatment.

Our surgeries are generally performed by at least a three-person team, including a board-certified faculty surgeon, a resident, and a veterinary student. Our students are always an assistant and are given the opportunity to observe and learn from the work of some of the best veterinarians in the country.

Most surgery patients can expect the following when arriving for their appointment:

1. You will be greeted by one of our fourth-year veterinary students.
2. This student will perform an initial exam and discuss your pet's medical history with you.
3. The student will then discuss their exam with the veterinarian or resident.
4. A plan will then be developed for the treatment of your pet. This plan will be presented to you and the clinician can work with you to make decisions about treatment for your pet.
5. Any additional diagnostics are performed this same day.
6. The following day, the surgery is performed. At some point during your visits with us, you are likely to meet and speak with the faculty surgeon who will be performing the procedure.
7. Your pet will recover in our Critical Care Unit, and you are welcome to visit.
8. Results of your pet's procedures are discussed with you and, if you have been referred by your regular veterinarian, he or she will be notified of the results of your appointment.
9. After your pet is discharged, you may see us again for suture removal, or return to your regular veterinarian for follow-up.

Special Considerations Before a Surgery

For most appointments, you will need to withhold food from your pet for at least 12 hours. Every case is unique, so you should speak to your veterinarian about how to properly prepare your pet for a successful procedure.

You can expect that a trained Anesthesia technician, overseen by a board-certified anesthesiologist, will monitor your pet's anesthetic level, heart rate, EKG, oxygen level, and blood pressure during any procedure.