Our Modesto vets perform a number of vet surgical procedures, including veterinary orthopedic surgery, soft tissue surgery, spay & neuter procedures, as well as aesthetic surgeries including tail docking and dewclaw removal.
Veterinary Surgery
At American Pet Hospital our vets offer a range of medical and aesthetic surgical procedures for cats and dogs at our Modesto clinic, using surgical techniques and stringent surgical protocols.
During each vet surgery, a dedicated veterinary nurse will administer anesthesia and continuously monitor your pet's condition using electronic patient monitoring equipment. Pain management will also be provided.
Post-operative monitoring and pain management are our priorities following surgery. Your vet will also provide detailed instructions for at-home care.
What to Expect from Veterinary Surgery
At American Pet Hospital our team will always keep you fully informed about why we are recommending a specific surgical procedure for your pet, and provide you with detailed instructions for the post-operative care your pet will require at home.
We practice stringent surgical protocols at our clinic. If your dog or cat requires surgery that is beyond the scope of our experienced vets we will refer you and your animal to a veterinary surgeon near Modesto and work closely with your surgeon to ensure that your pet receives the best possible care.
Surgical Procedures
Whether your pet requires surgery to treat a medical issue, dental surgery to alleviate mouth pain, or elective surgery our experienced team of veterinary professionals will work to ensure that your pet is kept comfortable and safe throughout the procedure.
Our vets at American Pet Hospital in Modesto routinely perform a number of 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.
- C-Sections
During Caesarean sections, we remove puppies or kittens from their mother's uterus.
C-sections are typically performed with the mother is unable to give birth naturally.
- Ocular / Eye & Eyelid Surgeries
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.
- 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.
- Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic surgeries correct injuries and diseases of the bones, ligaments, joints, tendons and other skeletal structures in your pet.
- 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.
- 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.
- Canine Ear Cropping
Ear cropping is a common surgical procedure involving the removal of a portion of a dog’s ears in order to achieve a specific look.
Many dog owners choose to have their dog’s ears cropped to remain consistent with the breed or simply out of preference. The breeds most often associated with cropped ears include Boxers, Great Danes, Schnauzers, American Pit Bulls, Staffordshire Terriers, Dobermans and Miniature Pinschers.
Whatever the reason for your pet's ear cropping surgery, it’s important that the procedure be performed by a veterinary professional that is specially trained and experienced in performing these delicate procedures.
At American Pet Hospital in Modesto, we offer professional ear cropping services for dogs between the ages of 8-12 weeks. Our experienced vets and team will take every precaution to ensure that your pet’s procedure is carried out as safely and successfully as possible.
Following your pet's ear cropping surgery we will provide guidance and support throughout your pet’s recovery, and ensure that you have detailed instructions for the at-home care of your dog while they heal.
- Tail Docking
Tail docking is the surgical process of shortening a dog's tail to give a "nub"-like appearance. Breeds such as Brittnay Spaniels, Jack Russell Terriers, and Dobermans commonly have docked tails.
Tail docking is typically performed on puppies between 2-5 days old before the nerves have fully formed in the tail. This procedure can also be performed on adult dogs with tail injuries.
- Dewclaw Removal
Dewclaws are often removed at the request of breeders when the puppies are between two and five days old. This is done to conform with breed standards, in other cases, dewclaws are removed for aesthetic purposes, whereas in agility dogs they are more often removed to prevent injury.
- Feline Declawing (Onychectomy)
Our top priority is providing the highest-quality veterinary care to each pet we treat. Every policy and medical procedure supported by our practice has been put in place with the health and wellness of pets in mind.
Our veterinarians at American Pet Hospital in Modesto perform a surgical onychectomy if they believe that a cat cannot be trained to refrain from using its claws destructively in the home, or poses a danger to family members.
Unfortunately, all cats are not amenable to behavior modification and we believe that this surgical procedure will result in fewer cats being abandoned or euthanized.
We also believe feline onychectomy should be performed only with the medically appropriate use of anesthetics and analgesics and adherence to careful surgical and post-surgical protocols.
All of our surgery patients have IV catheters placed and receive IV fluids. We use several monitoring devices during your pet’s anesthetic. A veterinary technician continually assesses your pet’s vital signs during the procedure.
Your pet’s safety and comfort are our primary concerns when performing a declaw. We use advanced pain management techniques in conjunction with anesthesia to make sure your pet is as comfortable as possible during the procedure and after they are discharged.
Our declaw patients receive 2 or 3 injectable pain medications during the procedure and go home with oral pain medication. We perform nerve blocks of the feet that provide additional pain relief immediately after the surgery.
Our declaw patients stay with us overnight so that we can be sure they are comfortable, to remove their bandages in the morning, and to assess the surgical area before going home. It is very common to see these kitties pawing playfully through the kennel door following this surgery.
Once declawed, it is recommended that your cat live indoors since the ability to defend itself is compromised.
The Vet Surgery Process
We understand 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 furry companion.
We will ensure that you fully understand why we are recommending surgery and that you are comfortable making the decision to move ahead.
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.
If you need to discuss surgical options or schedule surgery for your pet, please contact us today. Our veterinary staff will be happy to help ease the stress and fear associated with surgery.