Veterinary Surgery
We offer a wide range of surgical procedures for cats and dogs residing in Burlington and Bellingham as well as the surrounding areas.
During each surgery, we follow stringent protocols. A dedicated nurse will administer anesthesia and continuously monitor your pet using electronic patient monitoring equipment. Pain management will also be provided.
Post-operative monitoring and pain management are our priorities following surgery. Your vet will also provide thorough instructions for at-home care.
What to Expect from Veterinary Surgery
We always keep you fully informed about why we are recommending a surgical procedure, as well as making clear any post-operative care your pet will need at home. We proudly practice stringent surgical protocols at our clinic to ensure the safety of our patients.
Surgical Procedures
Chuckanut Valley Vet Clinic and Chuckanut Feline Center performs medical and emergency veterinary surgeries to help treat disease and conditions in pets or to repair injuries sustained through trauma.
Our Burlington and Bellingham vets routinely perform the following elective and non-elective surgeries:
- Soft Tissue Surgery
For pets suffering from ear, nose, and throat disorders, we offer soft tissue surgical procedures.
These procedures are also available for hepatic, urogenital, oncological, cardiothoracic, gastrointestinal, and skin disorders.
- Spaying & Neutering
When we spay or neuter a cat or dog, we surgically sterilize them to prevent disease and provide them with an extended life expectancy.
- C-Sections
During Caesarean sections, we surgically remove puppies or kittens from their mother's uterus.
C-sections are typically performed when the mother is unable to give birth naturally.
- Ocular
If your pet is experiencing pain, redness, or other symptoms in or around their eyes, they may need ocular surgery.
Common ocular procedures for cats and dogs include eyelid tumor removal, cataract surgery, ectropion surgery, entropion surgery, exenteration of the orbit, and cherry eye surgery.
If your cat or dog requires a veterinary surgical specialist to perform the surgery, our veterinarians will refer you to a pet surgeon 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 Burlington and Bellingham 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.
These wounds must be cleaned, disinfected, and appropriately cared for by a qualified veterinarian as soon as possible.
- Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic surgeries correct injuries and diseases of the bones, ligaments, joints, tendons, and other skeletal structures in your pet. If your dog or cat is suffering from a condition or injury that requires advanced specialized care your vet will refer your dog or cat to a vet surgeon near Burlington and Bellingham.
- 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.
Veterinary Surgery Process
We understand that the prospect of bringing your pet in for veterinary surgery can be frightening. Please be assured that we recommend surgery only when it is in the best interests of your furry companion.
We will ensure that you fully understand why we are recommending surgery and that you are comfortable deciding to move ahead.
If your pet requires care beyond the capabilities of our practice, our vets will refer you to a veterinary surgeon who specializes in the treatment they need. When a referral is needed, we work closely with your vet surgeon to ensure that your pet receives the best possible care.
Surgical protocols at our 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 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 wears 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 before every surgery.