Pet Surgery
At River Ridge Animal Hospital in Dixon, IL, we offer compassionate surgical care, covering everything from routine to complex procedures while tailoring every operation to each pet’s specific health needs.
Comprehensive Pet Surgery Services
Our advanced surgical suite and highly skilled team at River Ridge Animal Hospital are equipped to handle a variety of surgical procedures, each carefully adjusted to meet the specific needs of your pet. Whether your pet needs a routine procedure or a more complex operation, our skilled veterinarians are here to ensure a positive outcome.
Types of Surgery
Laser Surgery: Laser surgery is a technique that utilizes a focused beam of light to perform precise incisions. This method is less invasive compared to traditional surgical techniques, resulting in reduced bleeding and swelling. Laser surgery can be beneficial for soft tissue procedures, such as mass removals and certain types of abdominal surgeries. The precision of laser surgery helps minimize discomfort and promotes quicker healing for your pet.
Soft Tissue Surgery: Soft tissue surgery addresses conditions involving the organs, skin, or muscle tissues. Common procedures include the removal of tumors, repair of wounds, and treatment of gastrointestinal issues. Our team at River Ridge Animal Hospital is experienced in performing these surgeries with careful attention to detail. We prioritize your pet’s comfort and safety throughout the process, aiming for the best possible outcomes.
Orthopedic Surgery: Orthopedic surgery is essential for treating issues related to bones, joints, and ligaments. Pets with fractures, joint problems, or congenital abnormalities may require orthopedic intervention. These surgeries are designed to restore function and alleviate pain, allowing your pet to return to their normal activities. Our veterinarians are skilled in managing various orthopedic conditions, ensuring that your pet receives the appropriate care for their needs.
The Benefits of Regular Pet Surgery
Pet surgery may be stressful for owners, but it is often an essential part of your pet’s care. It can correct painful conditions, prevent future health complications, and help your pet recover more quickly using modern techniques like laser surgery. By addressing issues early and effectively, surgery can significantly enhance your pet’s quality of life, allowing them to enjoy a longer, healthier, and more active life.
Improved Quality of Life
Pet surgery can alleviate pain, correct health issues, and restore mobility, allowing your pet to enjoy a more comfortable and active life.
Preventative Care
Certain surgeries, such as mass removals or spaying/neutering, can prevent future health complications, reducing the risk of more severe conditions developing over time.
Faster Recovery with Modern Techniques
Advances in veterinary surgery, like laser surgery, lead to less invasive procedures, which often result in quicker healing times and reduced discomfort for your pet.
When to Consider Pet Surgery
Determining when surgery is necessary involves evaluating your pet’s condition and overall health. Surgery may be recommended when other treatments are insufficient or when a condition poses significant health risks. For example, if your pet experiences persistent pain, difficulty moving, or has a condition that could worsen without intervention, surgery might be the best course of action.
Preparing for Surgery
Preparation is key to ensuring a smooth surgical experience for your pet. Prior to the procedure, we will conduct a thorough examination and provide detailed instructions on how to prepare your pet. This may include dietary restrictions or adjustments to their medication. Our team will also explain the surgical process and what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.
Post-Surgery Care
Following surgery, proper care is crucial for your pet’s recovery. We provide clear post-operative instructions to help you manage your pet’s care at home. This includes guidelines for monitoring their incision site, managing pain, and ensuring they follow any activity restrictions. Our goal is to support your pet’s recovery and help them return to their usual routines as quickly as possible.
Trust River Ridge Animal Hospital for Pet Surgery in Dixon, IL
At River Ridge Animal Hospital, we are dedicated to delivering high-quality surgical care for your pet. Our experienced team is committed to using their expertise to provide effective solutions and compassionate support. We understand that surgery can be a significant event for both you and your pet, and we strive to make the experience as smooth and reassuring as possible.
If you have concerns about your pet’s health or believe they may need surgery, contact us today. We are here to offer professional guidance and care to ensure the best possible outcome for your pet’s surgery in Dixon, IL.
Surgery FAQs
Is the anesthetic you use safe?
Today’s modern anesthetic monitors have made surgery much safer than in the past. At River Ridge Animal Hospital, we thoroughly examine your pet before administering anesthetics. We also adjust the amount and type of anesthetic used depending on the health of your pet.
Preanesthetic blood testing is important in reducing the risk of anesthesia. We recommend this for every pet before surgery to ensure the liver and kidneys can handle the anesthetic. Even apparently healthy animals can have serious organ system problems that cannot be detected without blood testing. If there is a problem it is much better to find it before it causes anesthetic or surgical complications. Animals that have minor dysfunction will handle the anesthetic better if they receive IV fluids during surgery. If serious problems are detected, surgery can be postponed until the problem is corrected.
We offer in-house blood testing on the day of surgery. We recommend different panels depending on the age and health of your pet. For geriatric or ill pets, additional blood tests, urine tests, or radiographs may also be required before surgery.
Surgery must be performed on an empty stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia. You will need to withhold food for at least 8 to 10 hours before surgery. Older pets may have water until the morning of surgery.
Will my pet have sutures?
For many surgeries, we use absorbable sutures underneath the skin. These will dissolve on their own and do not need to be removed later. Some surgeries, especially tumor removals, will require skin sutures. With either type of suture, you will need to keep an eye on the incision for swelling or discharge. If there are skin sutures, these will usually be removed 10 to 14 days after surgery. You will also need to limit your pet’s activity level for a time. No baths are allowed for the first 10 days after surgery.
Will my pet be in pain?
After surgery, pain medication is chosen on a case-by-case basis. For dogs, we may recommend an oral anti-inflammatory, or other stronger medications for several days after surgery to lessen the risk of discomfort and swelling. We use medications that are less likely to cause stomach upset. Recent advances in pain medications have allowed for better pain control in cats than ever before.
Providing pain relief is a humane and caring thing to do for your pet.
What other decisions do I need to make during surgery?
When you bring your pet in for surgery, we will need about 10 minutes of time to fill out presurgical paperwork. When you pick up your pet please plan on spending about 10-20 minutes to go over your pet’s home care needs.
Veterinary Services in Dixon, IL
Cat Dentistry
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Dog Daycare
Pet Boarding
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Pet Imaging & Labwork
Laser Therapy & Surgery
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Pet Pain Management
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