Veterinary Services
Surgery
Alpine Veterinary Medical Centre is a fully equipped surgical facility. Our surgery suite is equipped with positive pressure ventilation to reduce risks of airborne contamination, ceiling mounted oxygen coupling, and a negative pressure waste gas recovery system. In addition to the standard components of a surgical ward, are surgery area is equipped with an electrocardiogram (ECG), a respiratory monitor, a blood pressure monitor, a pulse oximeter, a temperature probe, hydrothermoregulated heating pads, electrocautery, and gastric endoscopy. The types of surgeries performed at our centre vary and include elective, orthopedic, ophthalmic, laparotomy and soft tissue surgeries. We also perform field surgeries for our large animal patients.
If your pet will be undergoing surgery, our team members will be happy to discuss pre-surgery preparation, pre-anaesthetic blood work, and the expected recovery time of your pet. Pre-anaesthetic blood work is important to assess the anaesthetic status of our patients that we may not be able to determine by physical exam alone. A blood sample is taken at the time of admission and is run in our in-house lab. If there is a problem observed on the pre-anaesthetic blood screening, you will be called by one of our veterinarians to discuss it. Pre-anaesthetic blood screening is optional but is recommended for all patients.
Every animal undergoing surgery will have a pre-anaesthetic exam prior to anaesthesia and the anaesthetic protocol will be decided at that time. It is standard protocol at our clinic that every animal undergoing a general anaesthesia will have an intravenous catheter placed and put on intravenous fluids for the duration of the anaesthesia. This is done to provide a route for the administration of anaesthetics and medications, to maintain hydration throughout the procedure, and to provide an intravenous access for unforeseen emergencies. A light bandage is placed on the intravenous site when your pet goes home.
If you would like to see our surgical facilities or have any questions regarding your pet's surgery, please feel free to ask one of our team members and they will be happy to assist you.