Pet Surgery
At Rutland Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Center, we understand that when a pet needs surgery, it can be stressful for both you and your companion. Therefore, we strive to make every procedure comfortable and stress-free for our patients and clients. Our veterinarians are highly skilled at surgery and Dr. Macpherson has advanced training in orthopedics. With our exceptional skills and deep compassion, we ensure every pet has a smooth procedure and a speedy recovery.
Safety First: How We Reduce the Risk of Surgery
Surgery requires general anesthesia, and as with human medicine, every procedure has its inherent risks. As an AAHA-accredited animal hospital, our vets and staff adhere to the highest safety protocols in the industry to minimize those risks. Ways we ensure your pet’s safety include:
- Performing a pre-anesthetic exam and blood work to check that your pet is healthy enough for surgery and has no underlying conditions that could make anesthesia less safe.
- Supplying fluids throughout the procedure through an IV catheter. Fluids help to not only hydrate your pet but regulate their blood pressure, too.
- Monitoring their vitals with advanced equipment. A trained technician watches over your pet’s vitals from the start of anesthesia until they’re in recovery.
- Providing effective pain medication to reduce discomfort and stress. Pain medication is given before, during, and after your pet’s procedure to ensure they wake from anesthesia with minimal discomfort.
Complex Orthopedic Surgeries for Dogs & Cats
Orthopedic procedures are those that deal with bones and joints. Most general practice veterinarians refer out for orthopedic procedures due to a lack of expertise. At Rutland Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Center, our veterinarian, Dr. Macpherson has advanced training in orthopedic procedures and is able to provide the following:
- Dog ACL repairs (also known as CCL — cranial cruciate ligament — repairs) including tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO)
- Patellar luxation correction
- Fracture repairs/bone plating
Expert Soft Tissue Surgeries
Beyond orthopedic issues, our vets are also able to handle routine and more complex soft tissue surgeries including:
- Tooth extractions
- Spay and neuter surgeries
- Tumor/mass removals
- Cat and dog cataract surgery
- Bladder stone removals
- Abdominal surgeries
- Exploratory procedures
- And more
TPLO surgery
If your pet has a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tear, TPLO surgery may be recommended to restore stability to the knee and improve comfort and mobility. Here’s what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure.
- Before surgery: Your pet will meet with Dr. Macpherson for a thorough examination and X-rays. During this consultation, we will review the findings, discuss treatment options, and determine whether TPLO surgery is the best choice for your pet.
- During surgery: TPLO surgery is designed to stabilize the knee after a CCL tear, helping pets return to a more active lifestyle. Every procedure is carefully planned based on your pet’s individual needs to support the best possible outcome. Watch CCL Tears and How a TPLO Surgery Works to learn more about pre-surgery planning and the surgery process.
- After surgery: Recovery is an important part of the healing process. Following your pet’s post-operative instructions can help promote proper healing and a successful return to activity. Watch our post-operative icing video and post-operative range of motion exercises video for guidance during your pet’s recovery.
Our TPLO discharge summary provides a clear overview of post-operative care instructions, activity restrictions, medication guidelines, and recovery recommendations following TPLO surgery for dogs. This resource helps pet owners understand what to expect during the recovery period after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.
If you think your pet could benefit from a procedure or you have any questions about our surgical capabilities,
please call us at 802-773-2779!