Pet surgery is something that even the most confident pet owner will have concerns about. At Fulton County Veterinary Clinic, we take every precaution to ease those concerns and inform you at all stages of your pet’s surgery, so you know they’re in the care of capable professionals. Our veterinary team is dedicated to making every spay, neuter, and other procedure as pain-free and stress-free as possible for your dog, cat, or pocket pet. One prime example of this is our CO2 surgical laser, which greatly improves your pet’s overall experience and recovery.
We are happy to answer any questions about your pet’s recent or upcoming surgery. Call (574) 223-4980 or request an appointment today.
Why It’s Important to
Spay and Neuter Your Pets
Dogs, cats, pocket pets, and some other exotic species can develop health problems as they get older if they are not spayed or neutered. Our goal is to determine the best timeframe for your pet to have the surgery, so they can benefit as much as possible from the procedure and potentially live a healthier and longer life.
Naturally, spaying and neutering are particularly important for preventing unwanted litters. But these surgeries can also reduce your pet’s risk for various diseases, including cancer. They can also improve certain behaviors and prevent conflict in multi-pet households.
Making Surgery Better for Pets with Our CO2 Surgical Laser
Our surgical suite is equipped with a CO2 surgical laser, which uses a concentrated laser beam instead of a traditional scalpel to perform various soft tissue surgeries. This tool gives your veterinarian the ability to do surgeries with greater precision, but the real benefits are reserved for our patients:
- Less bleeding at the surgical site (the laser cauterizes and seals blood vessels)
- Less bruising and trauma to the surrounding tissues
- Less pain and swelling
- Less risk for post-op complications (such as infections)
- A potentially swifter and easier recovery for your pet
Surgical Procedures We Offer
We can perform a variety of soft tissue surgeries for dogs, cats, pocket pets, and other exotics (except birds, reptiles, and amphibians). These surgeries include:
- Spays and neuters*
- Mass removals (tumors, cysts, skin growths)
- Wound repairs
- Bladder surgeries
- Abdominal exploratory surgeries
- Surgeries for brachycephalic breeds (French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, etc.) including stenotic nares and elongated soft palate surgery
- And more
*We use our CO2 surgical laser for all surgeries except cat neuters. Contact us for more information.
Why Do Brachycephalic Dogs Need Special Surgery?
Breeds such as English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs have the characteristic "smooshed" face. This brachycephalic anatomy results in a broad, short skull, leaving less room to accommodate the airways. That's why Pugs and Bulldog breeds often snort; their soft palate is more elongated and blocks their airway, which can result in difficulty breathing, overheating, and higher susceptibility to pneumonia.
Another feature of brachycephalic breeds is narrower nostrils, which also make breathing and panting more challenging. To correct these issues, we need to open up the airways. This requires surgery, which can enhance a dog's quality of life tremendously. If you have a brachycephalic dog, reach out to us so we can discuss their health and whether they need surgery to improve their breathing.
