General & Advanced Surgery
Our veterinary surgeons have extensive experience with both general and advanced surgical procedures. No pet parent is happy to see their beloved fur baby ‘go under the knife,’ but at Broadway Veterinary Clinic, you can trust that they are in good hands.
Before every operation, we will schedule a pre-operative examination to ensure that your pet is healthy enough to undergo the surgery. This examination is also a good chance for you to ask questions, and learn about post-surgical care to ensure they heal well and quickly. For most surgical procedures, we ask that you refrain from feeding your pet for at least 12 hours before the surgery. Often, when surgeries are scheduled in the morning, this means they will have to miss a dinner.
After the operation, our team will monitor your pet closely for several hours before you take them home to ensure that they are recovering from the anesthesia adequately, and are feeling themselves again.
Once your pet is home, they may behave a little more sluggish than usual. This is typical after a surgery, and not a cause for alarm. If they vomit, faint, or act overly fatigued for more than a few days after the procedure, then please call us and let us know. These symptoms are not typical.
Here are some examples of common surgeries that we perform:
- Spay/neuter surgery: is recommended for all pets to optimize health, improve behavior, and prevent unwanted litters. Our team recommends that female puppies and kittens are spayed before their first heat period. Males can be spayed as soon as they are large and healthy enough to undergo the surgery. Yet, a dog or cat of any age can be spayed or neutered to prevent an unplanned litter.
- Soft-tissue surgery: includes any operation that does not involve the joints or bones, such as spay/neuter surgery, abdominal surgeries, trauma repair, laceration repair, bladder stone removal, and more.
- Surgical oncology: prevents the spread of cancer by removing cancerous tumors or growths. Treating cancer often requires a multi-pronged approach in addition to surgery. Your veterinarian will work with you to select the best treatment plan for your situation.
- Gastrointesinal procedures: are operations on the stomach or digestive system. Some example of gastrointestinal surgeries include treatment of gallstones, hernias, colon cancer, or acid reflux.
TPLO Surgery
One common orthopedic issue that dogs experience is a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tear – the canine equivalent of a torn ACL in humans. Due to the natural slope of a dog’s tibia, the CCL is under constant stress, making it more prone to weakening and tearing over time. When a dog walks with a torn CCL, the femur shifts backward relative to the tibia, causing joint instability. This instability leads to pain, lameness, and, if left untreated, progressive arthritis.
There are several surgical procedures available to stabilize the knee joint, but the Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) is considered the gold standard in veterinary medicine.
The TPLO procedure involves reshaping and rotating the tibia to eliminate the need for th#e CCL, thereby creating a more stable joint. This surgery not only restores mobility but also reduces the risk of long-term arthritis, helping dogs return to an active lifestyle. Complete a TPLO Consult Request here.
Pain Management
Your pet deserves to be happy and healthy. For some, pain can be a roadblock in the way of a full and joyous life. We want to help you and your pet manage any pain that they may be experiencing- whether acute or chronic.
Acute pain is sharp and has a sudden onset. It can be caused by experiences such as a surgery or other trauma. Often times, such as with a surgery or dental procedure, acute pain can be anticipated by our veterinary staff and actions can be taken to mitigate it ahead of time. Although acute pain can be severe, one positive aspect of it is that after the pain-causing agent is alleviated, it will dissipate.
Chronic pain gradually becomes more severe over longer periods of time, and it does not dissipate. Examples of sources of chronic pain include cancer and arthritis – degenerative and difficult-to-cure diseases. Senior pets are the most common victims of chronic pain, because they are the most prone to such conditions. Dealing with chronic pain is an ongoing process that will most likely evolve with time, as your pet’s needs increase.
Are you worried that your best furry friend is in pain? Here are some common signs to watch out for:
- Avoiding contact/affection or hiding
- Conversely, seeking more affection than usual
- Whining or crying
- Uncharacteristic aggression when handled
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Changes in eating patterns
- Lethargy
- Licking or chewing a particular area of the body excessively
Spay/Neuter Procedure
At Broadway Veterinary Clinic, we strongly urge all companion animals be spayed or neutered. Once a pet has been spayed or neutered, they tend to have longer lifespans and are less prone to certain infections and cancers associated with the reproductive system. They also exhibit less behavioural problems associated with their sexual urges, like roaming and aggression.
The practice of spaying or neutering is also critically important to the fight against the pet homelessness crisis. To control the pet population, spay/neuter surgery is the number one way to prevent unwanted litters.
Spaying is the removal of the ovaries and the uterus of female animals. Spaying can prevent ovarian and uterine cancers, and if performed before the female’s first heat period, breast cancer. Once a female is spayed, she will no longer have heat periods, and cannot get pregnant.
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