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Pet Surgery in Pewaukee

We understand how stressful it may be when your pet requires surgery. We’ll be there for you every step of the way.

Your pet’s safety comes first.

Our staff is highly trained and experienced in performing a wide range of pet surgeries utilizing cutting-edge technology, as well as maintaining the highest levels of safety and care. We provide surgical alternatives in a clean, safe environment. Most importantly, our veterinary team can closely monitor each animal’s vital condition throughout the surgery.

Our certified and trained veterinary staff utilize advanced sterilization techniques, diagnostic radiology, comprehensive blood testing, ECG and oxygen saturation monitors, and compassionate post-surgical care.

Standard Procedures

Spaying

Puppies and kittens are usually spayed at six months. The procedure is typically done to eliminate the possibility of reproduction and estrus (bleeding). In some cases, a dog or cat has to be spayed to treat a severe medical condition such as pyometra (abscessed uterus). In addition, spaying your dog or cat while young may reduce the risk of mammary cancer.

Neutering

Removing the testicles of your male dog or cat will vastly improve your pet’s behavior and keep him close to home. The most common age for neutering a dog or cat is six months.

There are many benefits to neutering your pet, including:

  • Prevents the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens
  • Lessens urine marking
  • Lessens fighting
  • Lessens cat yowling
  • Lessens the chance of running off to find females in heat
  • Prevents enlarged prostates
  • Removes the possibility of testicular cancer
Teeth Cleaning

It’s estimated that 85% of dogs and cats have periodontal disease by three years old. Periodontal disease is a progressive disease of the tissues around teeth and is the primary cause of your dog or cat losing its teeth.

A professional dental cleaning, performed under the supervision of our veterinary team, will protect your dog’s or cat’s dental health. Periodontal disease isn’t reversible, but diligent at-home dental care and regular veterinary cleanings can slow the condition down.

During teeth cleaning (sometimes called a prophylaxis), our veterinarians remove plaque and tartar from your pet’s teeth and checks the health of the entire mouth. Whole mouth dental x-rays are performed to look for tooth disease under the gum line. A complete tooth cleaning and checkup can be done only when your dog or cat is under general anesthesia. Anesthesia keeps your pet free of pain during the dental procedure.

Complex Procedures

Our veterinarians have been performing complex and difficult veterinary surgical procedures for over three decades. Their compassionate and skilled techniques can help restore your dog or cat to better health.

Bladder Stone Treatments

Bladder stones are a common occurrence in dogs and cats. We will x-ray your pet to determine the stone’s size and number.

Bladder stones can be removed surgically or possibly dissolved with a special diet. The diet may include ingredients to encourage your pet to drink. More water in the bladder will increase flushing out of the products that produce the stone.

Tumor Treatments

Dogs and cats can develop tumors or lumps in or on their body. These lumps can often form abnormal growths or masses on the skin surface or below the skin. Removal of the tumor or mass is medically referred to as a “lumpectomy.”

If a pet has an abnormal growth or mass that our veterinarian suspects is a tumor, they will monitor its rate of growth and perform a needle biopsy in which cells are gathered with a hypodermic needle or depending on the tumor’s size and location, remove it surgically.

Because tumors vary widely in type, there is no single preferred course of action.

We can discuss all possible treatment options with you after making a complete examination and any required testing.

Foreign Body Removal

Sometimes your dog or cat will eat something that they shouldn’t (i.e. a mitten or a child’s toy.) Sometimes these will not pass through your pet’s digestive tract. Therefore, they need to be surgically removed before the esophagus, stomach, or intestines are damaged.

Dogs have been known to eat toys, fishhooks, bones or rawhide treats whole. These become lodged in their digestive tract and can cause significant discomfort. Additionally, seemingly innocuous liquids like glue, which expand in a dog’s stomach, can be difficult to remove.

Cats typically have problems when they eat string such as yarn or dental floss. A string can lodge in the digestive system, where it will cut through tissue or the lining of the intestines as it tries to pass through. Even hairballs can become too large to pass through the digestive system.

Whatever the case may be, if you suspect that your dog or cat has something stuck in its throat or stomach, you should immediately call our veterinary team at Lakeview Animal Clinic at 262-695-6120.

IV Fluid Therapy

Fluid therapy is a very essential element of treating sick animals. Pets who are dehydrated are unwell, can’t fight their illness effectively, don’t eat well, and can’t metabolize drugs as efficiently. Dehydration decreases the blood flow to two vital organs: the liver and the kidney. These organs are then unable to execute important functions, including detoxifying medicines and eliminating waste products.

Intravenous catheters are used in the case of sick animals or those who will be anesthetized. We may administer medicine through IV catheters to the entire body since they allow us to do so. Because IV catheters enable us to do so, medication administered this way is more rapid and controlled, providing your pet with a significant boost in health. If your pet is ill or needs a fast blood draw, one of the most essential treatments we can give him is an IV catheter to allow fluid administration.

Anesthesia Monitoring

The key to a successful procedure, rapid recovery, and pain management is the appropriate use of anesthesia. It is natural to be concerned about the anesthesia and pain management provided for your dog or cat.

Before treatment, every pet receives:

• A complete evaluation, including testing and laboratory analyses.

• A personalized plan designed to minimize the risk of anesthetic complications and maximize patient comfort.

• A certified veterinary technician who will monitor each pet’s vital signs before, during, and following anesthesia.

• Analgesic treatment before, during, and after surgery

• Can have intravenous fluids, and intensive monitoring that includes blood pressure, and other key vital signs.

Post-Operative Care

Your dog or cat may be sleepy when they go home. You will need to provide a safe and warm place for them to stay overnight, free of stairs or uneven surfaces. You are welcome to call to check on your pet after 1:00 pm on the day of the surgery to see how they are recovering.

When you pick up your pet, you will be given written, detailed information regarding recovery and special care that may be needed.

General Care of Skin Incisions

Your dog or cat has undergone a procedure that may require stitches to help heal. There are often stitches in deeper tissues that you cannot see. If there are no visible stitches, removal is not necessary. These hidden stitches promote healing. In most cases, an incision will heal without any complications. However, since stitches are foreign material to the body, complications occasionally occur.

Check the stitches daily. Try to keep the area clean and prevent your pet from licking the area.

Look for redness, swelling, and, most importantly, discharge. Any discharge from the skin incision is abnormal and should immediately be reported to us.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact our office at 262-695-6120.

Pain Management

Your cat or dog cannot tell you when it is in pain. Treating a pet’s pain can be complicated. At Lakeview Animal Clinic, our treatment begins with determining the location and cause of the pain. Once we have that information, we will choose the best treatment method to lower the pain and increase the health and comfort of the pet. The more comfortable and active an animal is, the better its overall health.

Surgery FAQs

Should I feed my dog before surgery?

Feed your pet the night before, then take away the food at 8:00 pm. It is okay to still give them water. On the morning of the surgery, do not feed your pet.

What about anesthesia?

The key to a successful procedure, rapid recovery, and pain management is the appropriate use of anesthesia. It is natural to be concerned about the anesthesia and pain management provided for your dog or cat.

Before surgery, every pet receives:

  • A complete evaluation including testing and laboratory analyses.
  • A personalized surgical plan is designed to minimize the risk of anesthetic complications and to maximize patient comfort.
  • A certified veterinary technician who will monitor each pet’s vital signs before, during, and following anesthesia.
  • Analgesic treatment before, during, and after surgery for pain management.
  • Intravenous fluids and intensive monitoring that includes blood pressure and other key vital signs.
After surgery - general care of skin incisions

Your dog or cat has undergone a procedure that may require stitches to help heal. There are often stitches in deeper tissues that you cannot see. If there are no visible stitches, removal is not necessary. These hidden stitches promote healing. In most cases, an incision will heal without any complications.

However, since stitches are foreign material to the body, complications occasionally occur. Look for redness, swelling, and, most importantly, discharge. More than three days after surgery, any discharge from the skin incision is abnormal and should immediately be reported to us.

Don’t let your dog or cat touch the incision, including licking, scratching, pawing, chewing, or scooting. If your pet does not leave the stitches alone, please contact our office for instructions on what to do.

Try to keep the sutured area clean and dry. Gently wash the area with warm water and a washcloth if it gets dirty or is caked with hair or other debris.

Do Not apply anything to the incision unless instructed by your veterinarian.

Please do not wash your pet until at least two weeks after surgery or until the stitches are removed.

If you see a soft fluid swelling under the stitches, an accumulation of fluid called a seroma is usually due to too much exercise/jumping. If you notice this, please call us immediately so that we can examine your pet.

Should I remove stitches myself?

No. If your pet had stitches they will be removed after 10 to 14 days. Do not attempt to remove them yourself.