Overview

We have a well equipped surgery suite with monitoring equipment and knowledgeable support staff to ensure your pet receives a safe anesthetic. We perform many surgeries such as spays and neuters, lump removals, soft tissue and emergency surgery. To ensure our patients receive the best possible outcomes, we occasionally refer them to board-certified veterinary surgeons to perform complex operations when advanced equipment or training would be beneficial.

Spaying

There are many benefits to spaying your female cat or dog. The procedure prevents female animals from becoming pregnant and reproducing and can help your dog or cat live a longer, healthier life. In addition to preventing pregnancy and thus helping to control the pet overpopulation problem, spaying decreases the chance of mammary cancer, prevents the development of pyometra (a life-threatening infection of the uterus), and prevents your pet from going into heat, which can attract unwanted attention from male dogs and be a hassle to deal with. Spaying will not change your dog or cat’s personality.

Spaying involves the removal of the uterus and ovaries. It is a major surgery but a very commonly performed one. Spaying is a day procedure where you will bring your pet in for surgery in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon. All of our spay surgeries are performed under general anesthesia, with comprehensive anesthetic monitoring to ensure patient safety. Pain medication is sent home after surgery to ensure patients are comfortable.

To set up an appointment to have your pet spayed or to learn more about this procedure, call or visit our clinic. If you are struggling with the decision of whether to spay your pet, please call us to discuss your concern.

Neutering

There are many benefits to neutering your male dog or cat. This procedure prevents male animals from reproducing and can help your pet live a longer, healthier life. Neutering will not change your pet’s personality. In addition to helping to curb the pet overpopulation problem, neutering your dog or cat has the added benefits of reducing or eliminating their risk of prostate and testicular cancer, some types of infections, and can reduce or eliminate some undesirable behaviours, including roaming, fighting, humping and spraying/urine marking.

Neutering involves the surgical removal of both testicles. It is performed under general anesthesia with comprehensive anesthetic monitoring to ensure patient safety. This is a day procedure, with all patients going home the day of surgery. Adequate pain control is provided throughout the procedure and for a few days after surgery to ensure patients are comfortable.

To set up an appointment to have your pet neutered or to learn more about this procedure, please call or visit our clinic. If you are struggling with the decision of whether to neuter your pet, please call us to discuss your concerns.

Soft tissue surgery

Soft tissue surgeries encompass a wide range of different surgeries, and account for the majority of surgeries performed at the Tsawwassen Animal Hospital. The most common soft tissue surgery performed is the removal of masses or “lumps” on animals.

Other examples of soft tissue surgery involve surgery on the eyes, ears, skin, abdominal organs/stomach and intestinal tract, and urogenital tract, in addition to repair of lacerations, wounds and abscesses.

Referral

While our veterinary team has training and experience in performing a wide range of surgical procedures, there are some cases where seeking help from a board certified veterinary surgeon is necessary or recommended.

We are very fortunate to have multiple great options for referral surgery available to us and are happy to facilitate referral for you.