Soft Tissue Surgery
Surgery performed at VETMED addresses diseases or injuries that a general veterinarian may not be able to treat as effectively in their practice.
Surgery Services
The following veterinary surgery services are available at VETMED:
- Thoracotomy for subtotal pericardiectomy or lung lobectomy
- Maxillectomy
- Mandibulectomy
- Abdominal/Thoracic exploratory
- Surgical oncology
- Intestinal resection and anastomosis
- Prophylactic gastropexy
- Adrenalectomy
- Reconstructive surgery and wound repair
- Limb amputations
- Thyroidectomy
- Parathyroidectomy
- Total ear canal ablation (TECA) with lateral bulla osteotomy (LBO)
What to Expect During Surgery
For all non-emergency surgery cases at VETMED, the client is first seen by the surgeon to discuss the patient’s condition, the procedure to be performed, possible complications, expected recovery and prognosis.
Each surgery patient and procedure is unique. In most cases, patients will need to fast for a minimum of 8 hours prior to admission, which is usually 8 a.m. on day of scheduled surgery. When the surgery patient arrives, a physical examination will be performed along with any necessary blood work and radiographs. The client will typically receive a telephone call at the start of surgery and upon recovery of the patient.
The patient will be hospitalized overnight (at minimum) for pain management and monitoring. Keeping the surgery patient calm, with minimal anxiety, is important to their recovery. Visits post-operatively may be arranged during business hours.
For most procedures, surgery patients can go home the day after surgery, however, that is determined on a day-to-day basis, based on the condition of the patient.
Veterinarian Performing Surgery
Dr. Stephanie Foote is a board-certified surgeon and the primary veterinarian performing soft tissue surgery at VETMED. To learn more about what it takes to become a board-certified surgeon, please visit the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Veterinary Surgery Consultation
If you think your pet may need specialized surgery, please call VETMED today to schedule an appointment.