Surgery
Integrity is thrilled to introduce our full-time surgical service with the addition of our board certified surgeon, Anna Dunlap, DVM, DACVS-SA!
Undergoing surgery can be a stressful endeavor for many pets and pet owners. At IVC, we strive to make sure you are well informed throughout the surgical process, from consultation to recheck examination. Our primary focus is on your pets’ comfort, safety, and well-being during all facets of anesthesia, surgery, and recovery.
The surgery service at IVC is growing. We are currently offering a number of procedures that may be performed on an out-patient basis (see below). As our hospital and service expands, our surgical capabilities will also grow. If you are unsure if your pet (or patient) qualifies for surgery at IVC, please reach out!
What is a board certified surgeon?
A veterinary surgeon is a doctor who has completed additional rigorous training after veterinary school and is certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). Board-certified veterinary surgeons work closely with other specialists and your primary veterinarian to provide your pet with comprehensive care.
View the bio for our new surgeon, Dr. Anna Dunlap, DVM, DACVS-SA.
What surgeries are currently offered at IVC?
Soft Tissue Procedures:
- Mass removals
- Ovariohysterectomy/Neuter
- Cryptorchid neuter
- Gastropexy
- Cystotomy (non-emergent)
- Perineal Urethrostomy (non-emergent)
- Episioplasty
- Anal sacculectomy
- Small intestinal biopsies
- Liver biopsy
- Splenectomy (non-emergent)
- Brachycephalic airway (non-emergent)
- Tail amputation
- Digit amputation
- Minor skin reconstruction
- Enucleation
- Mastectomy
- Sialoadenectomy
- Uncomplicated thyroidectomy
- Limb amputation
- PPDH correction
- Urethral prolapse correction
- EH-PSS correction
- Perineal herniorrhaphy
- Mandibulectomy/maxillectomy
- Parathyroidectomy
- Total ear canal ablation
- Ventral bulla osteotomy
- Elective cholecystectomy
Orthopedic Procedures:
- Cranial cruciate injury (TPLO)
- Patellar luxation
- FHO
- Fracture repair
- Arthrodesis
- Toggle
- Ulnar ostectomy
- Shoulder OCD debridement
Procedures Not Currently Offered:
- Joint replacements
- Angular limb deformity correction
- Arthroscopy
- Adrenalectomy
- Liver lobectomy
- Nephrectomy
- Ureteral obstruction (SUB/stent)
- Thoracotomies
- Cholecystectomy (emergent)
- Hemilaminectomy
- Subtotal Colectomy
Is anesthesia safe for my pet?
Generally speaking, veterinary anesthesia is considered to be safe (the current estimated mortality rate for dogs and cats is 0.2%). Even so, all anesthetic periods carry inherent risk (e.g. hypotension, hypoventilation, hypothermia, heart rate variations, dysphoria, pain/nociception, etc). At IVC we strive to minimize these risks in order to ensure your pet’s safety. Prior to anesthesia, patients will undergo comprehensive preoperative assessment and optimization. Once anesthesia begins, all patients will be under the direct supervision of both a dedicated anesthesia technician and a veterinarian. Our technicians and doctors have received extensive training in anesthesia and analgesia best practices. Moreover, our facility has invested in modern anesthetic medications, monitoring devices, and equipment. Close monitoring will continue throughout the postoperative recovery period. As pet owners ourselves, we understand the stress and anxiety that accompanies sedation and/or general anesthesia. Our ultimate goal is to provide both a safe and effective anesthetic period to every single patient that we treat.
Will my pet be in pain?
Pain is commonly defined as an unpleasant physical or emotional sensation. Therefore illness, by definition, involves pain. Hospitalization and surgery by themselves are capable of causing and/or contributing to that preexisting pain. For those reasons, pets requiring surgery at Integrity will likely experience some degree of pain.
Fortunately, pain management principles and modalities have improved dramatically for dogs and cats over the last decade. At IVC we endeavor to minimize the degree of pain/discomfort your pet feels. Our facility has invested in a wide array of pain relieving medications and modalities. Whenever possible, we will prescribe previsit medications to minimize the fear, anxiety, and distress that can be caused by transportation and hospitalization. In addition, every single patient will receive a personalized and multimodal analgesic drug plan appropriate for the planned procedure. Most importantly, your pet’s pain level will be assessed and reassessed throughout their hospitalization in order to ensure their comfort. Every patient will remain in hospital until a clinician determines that their pain is well controlled, and no pet will return home without appropriate pain medications.