Surgery

As a full-service veterinary clinic, Countryside Veterinary Clinic offers more than just preventative and diagnostic services. Dr. Kutchins performs a wide range of surgical procedures, from routine spay/neuter and dental procedures to more advanced surgeries such as mass removals (lumpectomies), fracture repair, cystotomy (bladder stone removal), enucleation (eye removal), and other soft tissue procedures.

We understand that surgery can feel overwhelming, and our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

We know that making the decision for surgery can be emotional, and our team is always available to answer any questions and help you feel confident in your pet's care.

Prior to your pet's procedure, we require all owners to pick up pre-anesthetic medications, which may include:

• Pain medication
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Anti-nausea medication
• A mild sedative

These medications help your pet feel more relaxed prior to their procedure, allow for smoother handling, reduce the amount of anesthesia required, and ensure pain management is already on board, leading to a safer procedure and more comfortable recovery.

On the day of surgery:

• Pets are typically admitted in the morning (later drop-off can be arranged for anxious pets)
• A full physical examination is performed
• Pre-anesthetic blood work is completed for all patients to screen for underlying conditions and ensure safety under anesthesia

Your pet's safety and comfort are our top priorities.

During the procedure:

• An IV catheter is placed in all surgical patients for safe medication administration and immediate access in case of emergency
• Intravenous fluids are administered throughout anesthesia to support blood pressure and organ function
• Your pet is monitored using multiple advanced systems, including:
  • EKG (electrocardiogram)
  • Doppler blood pressure monitoring
  • Respiratory and temperature monitoring
• Multiple trained surgical assistants are assigned to your pet, providing continuous, hands-on monitoring before, during, and after the procedure

We also administer appropriate pain control during surgery to keep your pet as comfortable as possible.

Following surgery:

• Your pet is carefully monitored as they wake from anesthesia until they are fully alert
• We will contact you with an update and discharge time

It is normal for your pet to have shaved areas, depending on the procedure performed. These may include:

• The surgical site
• One or more legs (for IV catheter placement)
• Some pets paws will be shaved for our doppler placement

When you arrive for pick-up, we will provide:

• Detailed discharge instructions
• Medication guidance
• Information on what to expect during recovery

We will send home pain medications as needed to ensure your pet remains comfortable. A follow-up appointment may also be scheduled to monitor healing and ensure everything is progressing as expected, and you will receive a call the following day to check in.

Your pet's safety, comfort, and recovery are our highest priorities. From pre-operative preparation to post-operative care, we are committed to providing compassionate, high-quality surgical care every step of the way.