Advanced Surgical Department

Our team will set up an initial consultation to meet with you & your pet. Our surgeon and team will review your pets history, and review recommended diagnostics or treatment options with you. Your pet will not only be receiving advanced surgical care at MVAE, but our professional team of doctors and highly trained staff will monitor your pet throughout treatment 24/7 providing post operative care.

DOCUMENTS PLACEHOLDER

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Conditions We Treat

Our board eligible surgeon treats many conditions that require expertise in surgery as listed below (but not limited to):

Surgery FAQ

• What to expect during a consultation:

  Your pet’s surgical consultation appointment will include a full examination, a discussion of your pet’s condition with recommended diagnostics and treatment options (surgical and non-surgical). There will be a full review of previous medical records and reported history as well. Our surgeon will discuss with you the benefits vs risks of the procedure, follow-up care, and expected outcome or prognosis. A financial estimate will be provided based on your pets medical needs and the consult with our team. We understand that every pet is unique and our goal is to provide the best plan for both your pet and your family.

• Surgery Day?

  If your pet is not hospitalized, please arrive at your scheduled drop off time on the day of surgery. A member of the Surgery team will provide any necessary paperwork and update financials prior to admitting your pet into the hospital for surgery. As a reminder, the patient is to be fasted as previously instructed prior to arrival for their intended surgery. Our surgery team will contact you prior to surgery, and our surgeon will contact you after surgery when your pet is recovered or recovering from anesthesia.

• Hospitalization:

  The overall length of hospitalization will depend on the procedure and your pet’s immediate post-operative recovery progress. Our goal is to make sure we provide the medical care necessary for your pet immediately after surgery to keep them comfortable, including pain medications and IV fluids. However, we also equally understand that our pets recover with less stress at home surrounded by their loved ones, so please be assured that we will discharge your pet as soon as they are ready to continue their post-operative recovery at home!

• What to expect during discharge:

  Discharges will be performed by one of our surgery nurses. These discharges include details involving the pet’s medical history, prescriptions, and the follow-up plan moving forward. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled as needed, and our client service representative will finalize payment.

• Why does my pet need to check in early in the morning for surgery?

  Early (scheduled) arrival times are imperative for our surgery team to address any last-minute concerns, ensure all necessary paperwork is completed and have adequate time to review each pet’s anesthetic & surgical plan. These drop off times allow the surgery team to maintain the procedure schedule as close as possible (exact length of procedures can never be predicted fully).

• Why can’t my pet eat the morning of surgery?

  We ask that all pets being seen for a consultation or who are arriving for surgery to be fasted. The time your pet should be fasted will be discussed with you by the surgery team during your initial contact for consultation or reminder phone call. Fasting times vary depending on your pet’s age, breed, and coexisting conditions. Sedation and surgical medications can cause your pet to become nauseated or reflux, which can increase the risk of vomiting or regurgitating. Such a reaction can lead to inhalation of liquid or food contents resulting in aspiration pneumonia, which can be a potentially life-threatening condition. Fasting your pet reduces the risk of vomiting or regurgitation and subsequent aspiration pneumonia.

• Is anesthesia safe for my pet?

  It is of utmost priority to our team that our patients are safe and comfortable while hospitalized, or while under anesthesia. We create detailed anesthetic and surgical protocols to best treat each individual patient. Anesthetic procedures are considered very safe due to advancements in medicine and monitoring techniques. However, all anesthetic procedures do have inherent risks which depend on several factors that are specific to your pet. These risks will be discussed with you during your consultation. We want you to feel comfortable and knowledgeable when making decisions for your pet;therefore, we encourage you to ask questions and address any concerns you may have with the surgery team prior to making any decisions. If you decide to move forward with a procedure, the opportunity to ask questions will be offered once again prior to moving forward with the anesthetic procedure. Additionally, the risks associated with that procedure will be reviewed. Your pet’s anesthetic procedure plan will be catered to their needs to ensure the safest, most effective and best outcome possible.

• How much will surgery cost?

  MVAE offers a wide array of surgical procedures, which all vary in costs. Additionally, each pet’s weight and medical condition can affect the costs of a specific procedure. With these variables in mind, the surgery team will build a customized procedural estimate for you during your initial consultation. Each estimate will provide a range of costs associated with your pet’s medical plan. The surgery team will review each estimate with you line-by-line to allow you the opportunity to ask questions and address any concerns as needed.

• What will my pet’s recovery involve?

  After your pet’s sedation or surgical procedure is complete, your pet will be moved from the surgical suite to a clean, comfortable, and warm kennel. Here they will be continually monitored for any changes in vital signs and mentation for the duration of their stay at MVAE. Your pet will be extubated once they are alert and are breathing on their own. During recovery, your pet may require additional bloodwork, radiographs, and/or treatments, which will be performed promptly to ensure the best outcome for your pet. Additionally, the surgeon will call you immediately after the anesthetic procedure to provide updates on your pet’s procedure and progress, to address any questions and concerns, and to discuss a discharge plan.

• Will my pet have a bandage after surgery?

  Depending on your pet’s surgery, there may or may not be a bandage placed over the incision or wound. If your pet goes home with a bandage, then meticulous instructions will be provided for you on how to care for the bandage at home. These instructions will be reviewed with you verbally and in writing during the discharge process. It is important to monitor bandages closely and on a daily basis to ensure the best outcome occurs for your pet. If you have any questions or apprehensions regarding your pet’s bandage, please call MVAE or email photos/videos to surgery@mvaevet.com. We monitor this email Monday thru Thursday, and will be sure to address any questions or concerns promptly.

• When should I be concerned about my pet’s surgical incision?

  Preventing an infection is the best way for your pet to recover rapidly from their surgical procedure. Surgical site infections are rare, occurring in veterinary patients 1.5% – 2.8% of cases (Huitson, 2023). However, if an infection occurs, then early intervention is paramount to improving your pet’s recovery. Surgical site complications can be painful, costly, and difficult to treat, especially if not addressed immediately. You will be provided literature on signs of infection during your discharge process.
  Common signs of surgical site infections and complications include, but are not limited to:
  *worsening redness or swelling (especially if signs worsens
  two days after day-of-surgery)
  *if any malodorous and/or thick (non-clear) discharge comes
  from the incision,
  *if the incision starts to open up (often called dehiscence)
  *if your pet has developed a fever (the normal high
  temperature for cats and dogs is 102.5F), and/or
  *if your pet appears to have worsening pain, lethargy, or has
  not wanted to eat/drink a few days after surgery.

• What does it mean for my Surgeon to be Board-Eligible or Board Certified?

  In the veterinary medical field, “board eligible” and “board certified” refer to a surgeon’s status within a specific specialty. Board eligible means a surgeon has completed a surgery residency, but has not yet taken or passed the certifying exam for that specialty. Board certification signifies that a surgeon has passed the exam. Many surgeons also undergo further training post-residency; indicating a higher level of expertise in their specialty.

  In order for a veterinarian to become a board certified surgeon they must:
  1. Graduate from an AVMA-accredited veterinary school or have an
  Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates
  certificate.
  2. Complete a minimum of one year of a rotating internship or
  equivalent.
  3. Enroll in three to four years of a residency program that
  meets the standards of a recognized specialty college/board.
  4. Gain work experience in the specialty area and obtain
  relevant certifications / continued education.
  5. Pass a specialized exam.