Surgery

We perform many routine elective surgeries such as spay, neuters, and declaws as well as orthopedic, ophthalmic, soft tissue, and abdominal procedures. 

 Our state of the art surgical suite is fully equipped with a heated, hydraulic lift table, electrocautery, modern monitoring devices, inhalation anesthesia and LASER.

We make every effort to ensure your pet’s surgical experience is as comfortable and uncomplicated as possible.  Your pet’s safety and comfort are our chief concerns.  We also want you to feel assured that your pet will be cared for by warm and gentle staff, and our standards for surgical care are top quality.

Today, pets of all ages and most health conditions are acceptable candidates for anesthesia.  While anesthesia is not without risk, many factors contribute to the safety and widespread use of anesthetics in veterinary practice.                      To learn more, click here. 

The following is an example of a typical surgical experience...

• Prior to your pet’s scheduled surgery, we ask that no food or treats be given after 8:00pm the night before.  Water is allowed right up until the time you come for check-in.  Some of our anesthesia or pain medication can cause nausea; so having an empty stomach is critical to avoid aspiration due to vomiting. 

• When you arrive for your morning surgery check-in visit, your pet will be weighed and a pre-anesthetic physical exam will be performed by the veterinarian.  The procedure(s) and available options will be discussed, an estimate of cost will be presented to you, and the Pre-Anesthetic Consent Form will be completed.  This form also can be completed in advance and contains phone numbers where you can be reached throughout the day, authorization to perform the procedure, and payment methods.

• Once your pet has been checked in for surgery, blood is drawn for pre-anesthetic analysis.  Pre-anesthetic lab work is vital to determine your pet’s readiness for surgery and anesthesia.  It also provides us with information on your pet’s health status, so the veterinarian can customize an anesthesia plan just for your pet.  The tests are completed in just a few minutes, and the veterinarian will contact you if there are any abnormalities. 

• Pain management is paramount at La Crosse Veterinary Clinic, so before your pet ever receives anesthesia, we will administer pain medication first.  Studies have proven that pre-empting pain is much more efficient in controlling it later on and also reduces the amount of anesthesia necessary.

• While your pet waits for surgery, he/she will rest in a kennel.  We provide separate facilities for cats and dogs.  Our staff has your pet’s wellbeing in mind at all steps along the way.  Our kennels are warm, soft, and safe.  We treat each pet as an individual and try to offer them all the comforts of home.

• As your pet approaches his/her surgery time, an intravenous catheter may be placed for the delivery of medications, anesthesia, or fluid therapy.  I.V. fluids aid in maintaining good hydration, replacing blood loss, and sustaining blood pressure.  Pre-anesthetic medications and pain relievers may be given to help relax your pet and prepare him/her for anesthesia.  Next your pet will receive anesthesia, and a technician will perform a sterile surgery preparation.  Surgery prep usually involves clipping away fur near the incision site and sterilizing the skin with an antiseptic solution.   A sterile lubricant will be placed in your pet’s eyes for protection during surgery, and we will also trim your pet’s toenails at no additional cost.  

• Once surgery prep is complete, your pet will be moved into our sterile surgical suite.  Your pet’s body temperature will be monitored and maintained through a variety of methods, including our heated table.  Heart rate, respiration, EKG, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry are other vital signs that we can monitor closely during your pet’s surgery.  Besides our monitoring equipment, a veterinary technician is beside your pet at all times, continuously watching over him/her.  The veterinarian then drapes the pet and begins the procedure.  Anesthesia and vital signs are constantly monitored and additional medications may be given for pain or anesthesia as needed.

• Once your pet’s surgery is complete, anesthesia will be gradually reduced, more pain medication may be given, and your pet will recover in a warm, soft kennel under the watching eyes of a technician.  The veterinarian or technician will then phone you for an update on your pet.  Overnight, your pet will rest as his/her body gradually clears any remaining anesthesia. 

• The next morning, your pet will be offered food and water, and more pain medication may be administered.  Most pets are normally ready for discharge after 9:00am.  When you arrive to collect your pet, the procedure and any recommendations or medication will be discussed.  You will receive printed discharge instructions specific to your pet, and payment will be taken.  We will inform you of your pet’s post-operative condition and answer any questions that you may have.  Finally, we will bring out your pet who has been eagerly awaiting your arrival, and send you home together.  We are always available if you have questions about your pet's recovery at any time!