Surgery
Surgery at AdelaideVet Stirling
As with human surgeons, our veterinarians perform a vast range of operations such as desexing, exploratory surgery, caesareans, tumour and lump removals, wound stitches, intestinal obstructions and more. When performing surgery, we maintain a high level of hygiene and safety for your pet’s protection. Our surgical team, complete a full scrub up, wear surgical gowns and safety protection as well as using autoclaved instruments throughout the procedure. The surgical bed is heated for the comfort and wellness of our patients who are continually monitored. A fully trained veterinary nurse assists the veterinarian throughout the procedure. Our clinic is equipped to perform most types of surgery with modern anaesthetic machines, respiratory monitors and more. Our surgical area is completely sterile and we use the safest and modern anaesthetics.
Soft Tissue Surgery
We perform an extensive range of Soft Tissue Surgeries including routine and emergency procedures including:
- Surgery on internal organs such as the intestines, liver, thyroid, adrenals and bladder (amongst others)
- Reconstructive surgery after tumour removal, burn injuries, or other skin issues
- Caesarians
- Gastric dilation and volvulus correction (GDV, ‘twisted stomach’ or ‘bloat’)
- Palliative procedures like the placement of feeding tubes
- Preventative surgeries such as JPS (juvenile pubic symphysodesis) and gastropexies
- As well as these more complicated surgeries, we routinely perform desexings in cats, dogs and rabbits, lump removals, wound corrections and a host of other procedures.
Performing complicated surgery can sometimes be the culmination of days or weeks of tests such as blood tests, radiography or ultrasound. Sometimes the surgery may be delayed until a time when we are more confident that your pet will be well enough to undergo the anaesthetic and surgery. At other times, your pet may need life saving surgery very quickly. Our extensive opening hours mean you can seek advice about your pet, and if required immediate treatment when they need it.
Prior to Surgery
For all animal procedures not already in treatment, it is necessary that we have a consultation with yourself and your pet prior to the surgery, so we can ascertain the necessity and extent of the surgery being proposed. We may like to include blood tests in this initial consultation, as it will give us important information about the internal health of your pet.
After Surgery
Following most procedures, it is recommended that your pet’s mobility be restricted. This is because moving too much can place stress on stitches, whether they be internal or external. Sometimes we place a bandage over the sutures, and other times your pet may be issued a ‘Buster Collar’ or ‘Elizabethan Collar’ to prevent them from licking at the surgery site.
All surgeries will have pain relief at the time of surgery and most will go home with some also; it is important that any medications are given strictly according to the vet or nurse’s instructions. All surgeries will have a discharge appointment with a nurse or a vet, at which time we will go through any post-surgical instructions with you and a recheck appointment will be made. If there is ever a time when you feel unsure about your pet’s care, please let us know.
