Your Pet’s Surgical Experience in Charlotte, NC
We only recommend surgery as a life-improving (and potentially life-saving) course of action for our patients, and perform every procedure with care and concern for their well-being. Our team in Charlotte, NC approaches every soft tissue and orthopedic surgery with regard for the pet’s individual needs, creating custom treatment plans and pain management protocols to maximize healing, comfort, and recovery. Every step of your pet’s surgery involves careful preparation and monitoring to ensure their safety.
If you need to schedule a surgery for your pet or have follow-up questions about their procedure, please give us a call at (704) 588-4400.
The Importance of Spay and Neuter
Spay and neuter surgeries are essential to the health of every pet. In addition to helping control animal overpopulation it has significant health benefits for your four legged family member. Spaying females, greatly if not completely, reduces the possibility of mammary cancer later in life, frequently a difficult and fatal form of cancer. It also reduces bacterial infections of the uterus and eradicates the possibility of uterine and ovarian cancers. Neutering males can prevent extremely painful prostate infection, testicular cancer along with certain types of hernias and perianal tumors. Marking of territory is also reduced if not completely alleviated. The surgery is generally an outpatient procedure and can help your pet live a longer and healthier life.
Making Anesthesia as Safe as Possible for Dogs and Cats
Anesthesia has risks for our pets just as it does for humans. At Steele Creek Animal Hospital, we take many precautions to minimize these risks.
Surgical Procedures
Surgical Procedures
Our doctors perform a wide variety of soft tissue surgeries as well as some orthopedic procedures.
- Routine spays and neuters
- Mass and tumor removals
- Foreign body removals
- Cystotomy (bladder stone removal)
- Exploratory surgery
- Gastropexy (bloat surgery)
- Caesarian section
- Urethrostomy (to treat a urethra blockage)
- Thyroidectomy (thyroid mass removal)
Pre-Anesthesia Exams
Pre-Anesthesia Exams
We perform a thorough pre-anesthetic exam and lab work to evaluate your pet’s health, and ensure that their surgery and post-op recovery will go smoothly with minimal risk. We also take into account your pet’s medical history, age, and any preexisting conditions they might have to develop an effective anesthesia protocol.
Custom Anesthesia Protocols
Custom Anesthesia Protocols
We provide the highest-quality anesthesia, which we administer according to your pet’s size, breed, and overall condition. Anesthesia is adjusted as needed throughout the surgery to keep your pet stable and safe. The attending veterinarian and a trained veterinary technician will closely monitor your pet throughout their surgery with oxygen, blood pressure, ECG, and pulse oximetry monitoring equipment.
Recovery and Post-Operative Care
Recovery and Post-Operative Care
After surgery, your pet will remain in our recovery area where they’ll be monitored and kept warm as they awaken from the anesthesia. Our team will make sure your pet can stand, walk, and eliminate without any problems before discharging them. Depending on the pet, an e-collar or other means of preventing licking and scratching at the surgery site may be necessary.
When we discharge your pet, we will provide detailed instructions to help you care for them at home. We will also take the time to answer any questions you have.
Pain Management
Pain Management
Pain can slow your pet’s recovery, decrease their appetite and activity, and cause them much unneeded stress, which can strain the bond you share with them. Furthermore, pain can weaken the immune system and make existing conditions, such as arthritis, even worse. Our hospital subscribes to a multimodal pain management protocol to keep post-surgical discomfort under control. We combine several options to provide complete pain relief to our surgery patients, including local anesthesia, narcotic pain relievers, NSAIDs, laser therapy, and acupuncture.