Surgical Services

At Chestnut Animal Hospital, we perform a wide array of surgical procedures with an emphasis on pain control and safety during anesthesia. Prior to any anesthetic procedure, we will draw a blood sample from your pet to perform a pre-op blood screen. This sample will be sent to an outside laboratory to make sure that there are no underlying metabolic issues which may make anesthesia a risk. This coupled with a full physical screening, prior to surgical procedures, is done to ensure that your pet is a good candidate for anesthesia. When we perform a surgical procedure, there is always a veterinarian and at least one technician trained in anesthetic monitoring present. While the veterinarian is performing the procedure, the technician is monitoring your pet's vitals and an electronic monitor. Blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygenation, temperature and breathing rate are monitored closely throughout your pet's surgical procedure. For all general anesthetic procedures, patients receive intravenous catheters in order to provide fluid therapy during surgery to keep the patient well hydrated an allow for adequate perfusion to all vital organs. Patients are also placed on special heating devices to maintain their body temperature, because hypothermia during anesthesia can be a side effect and slow a patients recovery. Pain management is started prior to any surgical procedure and is continued throughout. Most of our surgical patients will also be sent home with oral pain control to ensure your pet is as pain-free and comfortable as possible.