Services

Surgical Services

We understand that the decision to allow your beloved companion to undergo surgery is never an easy one. No procedure is considered routine. Despite the confidence we have in our abilities and state-of-the-art surgical suite, we know that surgery is difficult for both you and your pet. This is why we work as hard as we do to ensure your pet's procedure is as comfortable and stress free as possible.

Our doctors and nurses provide an individualized anesthetic and pain management plan for each pet undergoing surgery. For your pet’s safety, our operating suite is equipped with the latest in veterinary monitoring systems including EKG, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, temperature, heart rate and respiration rate.

Perhaps the most important pre-surgical step we take is to discuss with you why we believe a particular procedure is necessary and what it entails. During surgeries, our nurses monitor and record vital signs from the moment your pet is anesthetized until the patient is safely in recovery. The doctors at Highland Animal Hospital are experienced in a wide variety of soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries. In the event that a surgical procedure requires techniques beyond our expertise, we utilize a board certified surgeon who will perform both orthopedic and soft tissue surgery right at our hospital.

Our personal attention to each patient and client is what makes our surgical services unique.

Anesthesia & Monitoring

Ensuring the health and safety of your pet during surgery is of the utmost importance and requires an anesthetic and monitoring regimen that adheres to the highest principles and ideals of veterinary medicine. At Highland Animal Hospital, your pet has access to state-of-the-art anesthetic administration and cardiovascular monitoring equipment and protocols.

Prior to surgery, your pet will be examined and a pre-surgical blood screen performed. The results of these tests and your pets past anesthetic history, breed, preexisting conditions, and age are used to create an individualized anesthesia protocol for your pet.

While under anesthesia your pet will be cared for by a well-trained and experienced veterinary technician using our monitoring system, which tracks blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and oxygen level.

Pain Management

We all know that pain hurts, but we're also aware that it has other detrimental effects on the body.

Pain slows healing, decreases activity, causes behavior changes (such as aggression, anxiety, and depression). Pain worsens diseases like arthritis and potentially some cancers. It interferes with the bond between you and your pet.

In order to combat those effects, we use an advanced, multimodal protocol to prevent and treat pain in our patients. Whenever possible, we use a combination of local anesthetics, veterinary NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for animals), and narcotic pain relievers.

Nondrug therapies such as exercise and physical therapy maintain strength and flexibility, and help reduce the amount of drugs needed to control pain.

We also often make use of continuous infusions of these drugs so that patients get constant pain relief that can be adjusted minute-to-minute in order to ensure proper dosing.

Postoperative Care

As your pet is being discharged from the Hospital, we provide you with detailed information on how to properly care for your pet at home after surgery. We are also happy to answer any questions or concerns that may arise once you get your pet home.

» Learn more: Anesthesia Safety

Oncology

The health care team at Highland Animal Hospital is experienced in diagnosing and treating a variety of cancers. Oncology specialists are available to our doctors for consultations regarding the most current treatment protocols available to extend your pet's life. Our goal is to work closely with you to ensure your pet's comfort, dignity and quality of life.