Veterinary Surgery
At our Gold Canyon, Arizona clinic, we offer a selection of surgical procedures for cats and dogs while using stringent surgical protocols.
During each veterinary surgery, a dedicated nurse will administer anesthesia and continuously monitor your pet using electronic patient monitoring equipment. Pain management will also be provided.
After surgery, our priorities shift to post-operative monitoring and pain management. Your vet will also provide detailed instructions for at-home care.
What to Expect from Veterinary Surgery
We always ensure you are kept fully informed about why a surgical procedure is being recommended. We will also explain any post-operative care your pet will need at home. We practice stringent surgical protocols at our clinic.
Surgical Procedures
At Companion Pet Clinic of Gold Canyon, we perform medical and emergency surgeries to help treat conditions and diseases in pets, or to repair injuries sustained through trauma.
Our vets routinely perform the following elective and non-elective surgeries:
- Spaying & Neutering
When a cat or dog is spayed or neutered, they are surgically sterilized to prevent disease and provide the best chance for an extended life expectancy.
- Lumpectomy
During a lumpectomy, we remove an abnormal growth on or below the skin's surface. This growth may also be attached to the wall of an organ.
First, an exam, tests, and biopsy may need to be done to determine the nature of the lump and whether it is malignant or benign, in addition to which cells are involved.
A lumpectomy involves the removal of the abnormal growth and some of the healthy tissue surrounding it to ensure abnormal cells do not spread to surrounding healthy tissues.
Most of these procedures are performed under general anesthesia or local anesthetic.
- Wound Care
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.
- Laceration Repair
Lacerations are wounds caused by blunt force traumas.
As with all wounds, It's imperative that these wounds be cleaned, disinfected, and appropriately cared for by a qualified veterinarian as soon as possible.
- Pyometra Surgery
If a female dog or cat suffers from an infection of the uterus or ovaries (pyometra), surgery to remove the infected organs is the preferred treatment.
- C-section
During Caesarean sections, we surgically remove puppies or kittens from their mother's uterus.
C-sections are typically performed when the mother is unable to give birth naturally.
- Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic surgeries correct injuries and diseases of the bones, ligaments, joints, tendons, and other skeletal structures in your pet. If your dog or cat is suffering from a condition or injury that requires advanced specialized care, your vet will refer your dog or cat to a vet surgeon near East Valley.
- 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.
- Cystotomy
A cystotomy involves making an incision into the urinary bladder to remove stones, tumors, or other obstructions. We perform this procedure to treat conditions such as bladder stones, urinary tract infections, or bladder cancer in pets.
During a cystotomy, we carefully locate and open the bladder to remove any foreign objects or growths that may be causing issues. The incision is then closed using sutures to allow for proper healing.
- 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 Companion Pet Clinic of Gold Canyon 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. In the morning, we remove their bandages and assess the surgical area before sending them 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.
- Tendonectomy
Less invasive than a declaw, a tendonectomy is a surgical procedure in which the tendon that allows the cat to extend and retract their nails is severed, and a portion removed to prevent reattachment.
Several small incisions are made on the underside of the toes. Your vet will use tissue glue to close these.
- Limited Urgent Surgeries
There are some emergency surgeries beyond the usual services we are equipped to provide. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact us immediately so our vets can advise you on your best course of action
The Surgery Process
We understand that the prospect of bringing your pet in for surgery can feel overwhelming. Please rest assured that surgery is only recommended when it is in the best interests of your furry friend.
We will ensure that you fully understand why veterinary surgery is being recommended and that you are comfortable with the decision to move ahead.
If your pet needs advanced care, our vets will refer you to a veterinary surgeon near East Valley and work closely with your vet surgeon to ensure that your pet receives the best possible care.
Surgical protocols at our clinic include:
Pre-surgical assessments. Specifics of the procedure will be confirmed, and your pet will receive a complete physical examination. The veterinarian will confirm blood tests have been completed and reviewed to determine whether your pet faces any risk of anesthesia-related complications.
Dedicated surgical suites. Surgeries are performed in our dedicated surgical suite. This room is kept completely sterile to prevent infection and cross-contamination.
Surgical attire. Our staff wear disposable caps and masks at all times when they are in the surgical suite. Those involved in the procedure itself will also don sterile gowns and single-use gloves.
Sterile packs and equipment. Surgical instruments and equipment are carefully cleaned, sterilized, and wrapped before every surgery.