Pet surgery at our veterinary clinic in
Stillwater, MN
Our small animal surgical services
At Rivertown Animal Hospital, our pet doctors routinely perform diverse surgical procedures for our beloved feline and canine patients. These are crucial in addressing specific health concerns and enhancing our furry companions’ overall quality of life. Here are some of the surgeries we perform:
- Spaying and Neutering: These procedures, known as ovariohysterectomy (spaying) and orchiectomy (neutering), involve the removal of reproductive organs to prevent unwanted pregnancies and promote various health benefits. Even though these are commonly performed procedures they are far from routine, requiring skill and carefully developed protocols to ensure your pet has a safe and painfree recovery.
- Dental Cleanings, Oral Surgery and Dental Extractions: Our dental procedures encompass routine teeth cleaning, scaling, polishing, and the careful removal of diseased or damaged teeth. We Identify and biopsy oral tumors and take full mouth dental radiographs with each patient to evaluate below the gumline where the majority of dental disease is found. These measures help maintain dental health and prevent pain and infection.
- Gastropexy: This is a procedure used for large, deep chested breed dogs to help prevent gastric dilatation or bloat. The stomach is tacked to the body wall preventing the twisting of the stomach. It is a procedure often performed during a neuter or spay.
- Tumor Removal: We are experienced in performing surgeries to excise both benign and malignant tumors and cysts, whether they are situated externally or internally.
- Gastrointestinal Surgeries: Our expertise extends to procedures such as removing foreign objects from the digestive tract, addressing gastrointestinal obstructions, and managing conditions like gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat).
- Exploratory abdominal surgery: This procedure may be needed to identify the cause of your pet’s problem. Cases include gastric and intestinal foreign bodies, splenic tumors and splenectomy, and other unknown findings that are not identifiable without direct surgical intervention.
- Ear Surgeries: We provide ear surgical services, including repair of ear hematomas. We have specialized videoscopic equipment that allows us to evaluate and treat the ear canal and eardrum or tympanic membrane. Safely cleaning the ear canal allows greater visualization to identify abnormalities that otherwise would be left untreated.
- Eyelid Surgeries: Eyelid abnormalities can be painful and cause trauma to delicate corneal tissue. Surgical correction for entropion can correct the inward rolling of the eyelid resulting in a comfortable and healthier eye. As pets age eyelid growths called eyelid adenomas require delicate surgical removal.
- Bladder Stone Removal: Our surgical interventions effectively address urinary bladder stone issues, alleviating discomfort and mitigating the risk of urinary tract blockages.
- Laceration Repair: Prompt surgical repair of wounds and lacerations is a fundamental aspect of our practice, aiming to prevent infection and facilitate optimal healing.
- Abscess Drainage: Surgical drainage of abscesses, often stemming from bite wounds, is conducted meticulously to eliminate infected material and expedite the healing process.
- Cesarean Sections: In cases of complicated or high-risk pregnancies, we perform cesarean sections (C-sections) to ensure the safe delivery of puppies or kittens.
- Biopsies: We skillfully collect tissue samples for diagnostic purposes, aiding in the identification and understanding of underlying medical conditions.
- Hernia Repair: Surgical correction of hernias, including inguinal and umbilical hernias, is among the services we offer.
- Anal Gland Expression and Abscess Drainage: Surgical interventions targeting anal gland problems or abscesses in the anal region are expertly performed by our dedicated team.
These surgeries are vital in diagnosing, treating, and preventing many medical conditions in our pets. At Rivertown Animal Hospital, we are committed to ensuring our furry patients’ well-being, comfort, and health.
For orthopedic and advanced soft tissue surgeries, visiting board-certified surgeons are an important extension of our surgical team. Surgeries that may require a specialist include, but are not limited to:
- Torn Ligaments and injury to limbs
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) repair
- Orthopedic Fracture Repair
- Luxating Patella Repair
- Splenectomy
- Gallbladder removal
- Complicated Tumor Removal
- Complex hernia repair
- Exploratory surgery
How we help with pain relief and speed up recovery.
To speed recovery and minimize discomfort, we practice multimodal pain management, which includes pain prevention before, during, and after surgical procedures.
Pain management and safety are our core goals when preparing our patients for any surgical or anesthetic procedure. While recognizing that there is an inherent risk with anesthesia, the veterinary hospital has an obligation to minimize those risks and the capability to manage your pet to reduce pain, decrease anxiety and provide comfort and care at all times.
Our protocol:
- Each patient receives a full presurgical exam and blood screening prior to the day of surgery. This allows us to evaluate any risks and review the surgical procedure with our pet parent.
- A comfort pack is sent home with calming medication to be given before your pet arrives at the hospital. In most cases, your pet is allowed to eat a small meal 2 hours before the procedure.
- Presurgical care and medications are optimized to reduce pain and anxiety. This includes soft music, warming blankets and warm fluids.
- Topical anesthetic is used prior to placing an IV catheter, premedication is given to reduce nausea.
- Following induction and intubation to supply oxygen and anesthetic gas, your pet is placed on a warm surgical table and monitors connected to assess important vital parameters including heart, blood pressure, Oxygen, CO2 and body temperature.
- Local anesthetics are used whenever possible prior to any incision. This greatly reduces post recovery pain.
- Post operatively Cold Laser Therapy (photobiomodulation) is used to further reduce pain, inflammation and speed healing. Ice packs are placed to reduce swelling of the surgical site.
- Our skilled veterinary technicians closely monitor your pet throughout the process ensuring a safe and painfree recovery.
- Our doctors and staff will communicate with you as your pet moves through the day under our care.
- We provide detailed take home instructions and pain medications to ensure a pain free recovery.
“Brought our dog in after he tore his ACL. Staff was on it! Digital x-rays, laser treatments, medications. Two weeks later they performed surgery and installed a metal plate in our little guy’s leg. He’s doing great!”