Pet Surgery

Bringing a family member in for surgery is never easy.

Before, During, and After the Procedure

Surgical care begins before the procedure. We examine your pet, discuss the plan with you, and may recommend pre-anesthetic bloodwork to help assess organ function and guide anesthesia. We’ll also give you fasting instructions in advance.

We tailor pain management and anesthesia to your pet. During surgery, a team member monitors their vital signs and anesthesia. Afterward, we watch them closely as they recover and provide instructions for caring for them at home.

V.E.T. Care Hospital performs soft tissue and orthopedic procedures for dogs and cats during regular business hours. Our team will explain what to expect at each step.

Common Questions About Pet Surgery

It’s natural to have questions about surgical risks, cost, and what will happen on the day of your pet’s procedure. We’ve answered some common questions below. For details specific to your pet, our team will review the procedure and plan with you before surgery.

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Is anesthesia safe for my pet?

Anesthesia always carries some risk. We take steps to reduce it, including pre-anesthetic bloodwork, an anesthesia plan tailored to your pet’s age and health, and continuous monitoring during the procedure. Many pets recover well and go home the same day, depending on the surgery and their condition.

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What kinds of surgery do you perform in-house?

Our veterinarians perform spays, neuters, mass removals, abdominal exploratory surgery, foreign body removal, and C-sections. Orthopedic procedures include fracture repair and cruciate ligament surgery. We refer cardiac and neurologic procedures to specialists and will let you know if a specialist is the best choice for your pet.

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Will my pet be in pain afterward?

Some discomfort after surgery is expected. We begin pain control before the procedure and send your pet home with medication and instructions for giving it. If your pet seems uncomfortable despite the medication, call us at (817) 295-7101. You don’t need to wait until the recheck appointment.

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Do you handle emergency surgery?

During regular business hours, we may be able to perform urgent procedures such as foreign body removal or a C-section the same day. Call us right away so we can assess your pet’s needs and availability. For emergencies outside our hours, please contact a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital.

Procedures We Perform and What We Refer

We perform soft tissue surgeries – including spays, neuters, mass removals, abdominal exploratory procedures, and foreign body removal. We can also perform C-sections during business hours when needed. For young pets, our puppy and kitten care visits include a discussion of when to spay or neuter.

Our orthopedic procedures include fracture repair and cruciate ligament surgery. Oral surgery and extractions are part of our pet dentistry services. We refer cardiac and neurologic surgeries to specialists. Urgent surgery is available only during regular business hours; please call us so we can assess your pet’s needs.

Recovery at Home

What happens in the ten days after surgery matters as much as the procedure itself.

We’ll send you home with aftercare instructions and pain medication. Follow the activity restrictions even if your pet seems eager to play. Keep the recovery cone on as directed, take only short, leashed walks, and check the incision each day for swelling or discharge.

For some orthopedic patients, pet laser therapy may be part of the recovery plan. If your pet seems uncomfortable or the incision concerns you, call us rather than waiting for the scheduled recheck. Explore our veterinary services for other care options.

What you go home with

You’ll go home with written care instructions, prescribed pain medication, and a scheduled recheck appointment. If you have questions during recovery, call us – we’re happy to help.

When to call us

Call us if you notice swelling or discharge at the incision, the incision opens, your pet refuses food, or they remain unusually lethargic beyond the first day.

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