Veterinary Surgeons at Smith Animal Hospital
We offer veterinary surgery for cats and dogs at our two animal hospitals (Perry and Fort Valley) in Houston County, using stringent surgical protocols.
A dedicated nurse is on duty to administer anesthesia during each surgery. Your pet will be continuously monitored with electronic patient monitoring equipment, and pain management will be provided.
Following surgery, our priorities shift to post-operative monitoring and pain management. Your vet will also give you thorough instructions for at-home care.
What to Expect from Veterinary Surgery in Houston County
We are committed to keeping you fully informed about why a certain surgical procedure is being recommended, along with any post-operative care your pet will require at home. We practice stringent surgical protocols at both of our hospitals.
Vet Surgical Procedures
At Smith Animal Hospital's two locations in Houston County , we perform medical and emergency surgeries to help treat conditions and diseases in pets, or to repair injuries sustained via trauma.
Our vets routinely perform these elective and non-elective surgeries:
- Soft Tissue Surgery
Soft tissue surgical procedures are for pets suffering from ear, nose and throat disorders.
These procedures are also available for oncological, hepatic, cardiothoracic, gastrointestinal and skin disorders.
- Spaying & Neutering
When a cat or dog is spayed or neutered, they are surgically sterilized to prevent disease. This procedure also provides them with an extended life expectancy.
- C-Sections
During Caesarean sections, puppies or kittens are surgically removed from their mother's uterus.
Typically, C-sections are performed when the mother is unable to give birth naturally.
- Ocular
Is your pet experiencing redness, pain, swelling or other symptoms in or around their eyes? They may need ocular surgery.
Common ocular procedures for dogs and cats include cataract surgery, ectropion surgery, entropion surgery, exenteration of the orbit, cherry eye surgery and eyelid tumor removal.
If your cat or dog needs a veterinary surgical specialist to perform the surgery, our veterinarians can refer you to a pet surgeon near Houston County and work closely with your animal surgeon to ensure that your pet receives the best possible care.
- Mass Removal
Cats and dogs can develop masses associated with the skin. Masses can also grow inside a body cavity and can be serious or life-threatening.
Mass removal surgery is a fairly common procedure for both cats and dogs.
- Foreign Body
Sometimes, foreign objects are ingested or can get stuck inside a cat's or dog's body.
Whether your pet has eaten an object they shouldn't have or an accident has left them injured, we can perform foreign body surgery to remove it.
In some cases, specialized skills or equipment are needed to perform pet surgery. If that is the case for your animal, your vet will refer you to a cat or dog surgeon near Houston County and work closely with your veterinary surgeon to ensure that your dog or cat receives the very best care.
- Wounds
Wounds occur when living tissue has been cut, broken, burnt, torn, or otherwise damaged.
It's imperative that these wounds be cleaned, disinfected, and appropriately cared for by a qualified veterinarian as soon as possible.
- Dental Surgery
Our veterinarians provide dental surgeries for dogs and cats. These surgeries can range from tooth extractions to gum disease treatment and jaw fracture repairs.
Vet Surgery Process
We understand that the idea of bringing your pet in for surgery may feel overwhelming. Please rest assured that we only recommend surgery when it is in the best interests of your four-legged friend.
We will ensure that you fully understand why surgery is being recommended and that you are comfortable making the decision to move ahead.
If your pet requires advanced care, our vets will refer you to a veterinary surgeon near Houston County, and work closely with your vet surgeon to ensure that your pet receives the best possible care.
Surgical protocols at our animal clinic include:
Pre-surgical assessments. We will confirm the specifics of the procedure, complete a physical examination of the patient, and make sure blood tests have been completed and reviewed by the vet in order to determine if your pet faces any risk of anesthesia-related complications.
Dedicated surgical suites. Surgeries are performed in a dedicated surgical suite. This room is kept completely sterile to prevent infection and cross-contamination.
Surgical attire. Our staff wear disposable caps and masks at all times when they are in the surgical suite. Those involved in the procedure itself will also wear sterile gowns and single-use gloves.
Sterile packs and equipment. We carefully clean, sterilize and wrap our surgical instruments and equipment prior to every surgery.