Services

At Cat & Dog Hospital of Columbia, our veterinary surgical services are precise, safe, and reliable. We understand that your pet must be going through a lot and that is why our veterinary specialists take the necessary precautions to ensure that every surgical procedure is performed with care. Our affordable pet hospital has an efficient team of veterinary surgeons to ensure that your pet is in good hands.

Our hospital offers the following procedures:

Is the anesthetic safe?

When it comes to our surgical procedures, we always perform a thorough physical exam on your pet before administering anesthetics, to make sure that a fever or other illness will not be problematic. All pets undergo blood testing before surgery to ensure that their liver and kidneys can handle the anesthetic. If there is an underlying problem you didn’t know about, it is much better to find out before it causes unnecessary complications. Some animals will handle the anesthetic better if they receive IV fluids during surgery and we will do so if we believe it will help. If we notice any serious problems, surgery can be postponed until the problem is corrected.

We also offer in-house blood testing before your pet undergoes surgery, which we will go over with you when you bring your pet. Our veterinary specialists prefer the more comprehensive screen, because it gives them more information, enabling them to keep your pet safe. For geriatric or ill pets, additional blood tests, electrocardiograms, or x-rays may be required before surgery. When you bring your pet in for surgery, we will need a couple of minutes of your time to fill out paperwork and make any final decisions about blood testing and other available options.

It is important that surgery be done on an empty stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia. You will need to withhold food and water after 10pm the night prior to surgery.

Will my pet have stitches?

Some surgeries require traditional stitches, but for most, we use absorbable sutures underneath the skin. These dissolve on their own so you will not need to bring your pet in later to have them removed. After surgery, you should keep a close eye on the incision to make sure it is healing properly and without any extra complications. As with any surgery, try to limit your pet’s activity while they heal and do not bath them for the following 10 days.

Will my pet be in pain?

Anything that causes pain in people can be expected to cause pain in animals. Pets don’t always show the same symptoms, but you can be sure they’re going to feel it just like you would. Pain medication will vary depending on the procedure so that your pet can stay as comfortable as possible. Please let us diagnose and prescribe the proper medication. Do NOT give pets Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Motrin, Aleve, or Pamprin. These medications can cause death or illness.

What other factors should I consider?

While your pet is under anesthesia, it is an ideal time to perform other minor procedures like dentistry, ear cleaning, declawing, and inserting microchips. If you are interested in these options, please let us know ahead of time, preferably at the time you schedule the appointment. You should also expect to arrive 10-15 minutes early to fill out the necessary paperwork and make any other final decisions.

If you have any other questions about the services offered at our animal hospital, please call us at 410-995-6880.