Blanchardstown Veterinary Hospital 01 6409010
Botanic Veterinary Hospital 01 8375543
Clontarf Veterinary Hospital 01 8330744
Santry Veterinary Surgery 01 852 78 13

Surgery

There is nothing more important to us than your pet's safety and care

Surgery

There is nothing more important to us than your pet's safety and care

  • Oncology
  • Orthopaedics
  • Soft Tissue Surgery
  • Your Pet's Surgery

Oncology

Unfortunately, at some point in their lives, many of our pets will be diagnosed with a tumour. This may be a lump on the skin or an internal mass. At Anicare we have the facilities to diagnose and treat a wide variety of tumours, benign or malignant.

We have a high quality in-house laboratory and access to world-class pathology experts to diagnose the problem and allow treatment to start immediately. We can use biopsy sampling, blood samples, ultrasound and x-ray to identify the problem and decide on a treatment plan.

We can treat the cancer with surgery to remove the tumour or one of a variety of chemotherapy treatments we offer where appropriate. Every pet is treated as an individual and all options are discussed with you so that together we can decide on the best treatment for your pet.

Orthopaedics

Orthopaedic cases seen at Anicare include lameness investigations and surgical treatments for bone, ligament or tendon injuries and abnormalities. We have invested in the latest equipment and training to ensure the best outcomes for your pet.

A lameness investigation consists of taking a detailed history, observing the patient walking to assess lameness and gait, followed by an in-depth physical examination including palpating for evidence of swelling or muscle wastage, looking for signs of pain, assessing range of motion, joint stability and feeling for crepitation. Basic neurological tests are performed to assess for delays in conscious proprioception. In many cases the cause of lameness can be localised to specific areas which allows further investigations such as advanced imaging to help make a diagnosis.

We will then use our high definition x-ray system or ultrasound to make a diagnosis. We have the facility to refer a patient for advanced imaging such as CT or MRI should the need arise.

Fractures

Should your pet suffer a fracture we’re ready to help. We offer a range of fixation methods such as using bone plates (both conventional and more advanced Locking Plate systems), external skeletal fixation (using the Imex SK Linear ESF System) as well as a variety of pins, screws and wires. Each case is classified and carefully assessed to allow us to recommend the most appropriate method of fixation. Bone grafting can be used to help speed the repair in many cases.

Cruciate ligament ruptures

Cranial cruciate ligament tears or ruptures are a very common cause of lameness in dogs. The tearing of the ligament causes instability in the knee and pain when your dog walks. Various methods of treatment are available, but in larger dogs we usually recommend the Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) procedure using the latest Securos implants. The TPLO procedure changes the biomechanics of the stifle to overcome the instability caused by failure of the cranial cruciate ligament. We also offer lateral suture stabilisation which can be used in any size of dog but is best suited to small dogs and cats. We provide comprehensive after-care and will guide your pets rehabilitation until they are back running around again.

Patellar luxation

Patellar luxation (dislocation) is a common condition that can cause severe mobility issues. The most common presentation is where dogs show intermittent skipping lameness, and often isn’t painful at the time of diagnosis. In the majority of cases the patella (knee cap) luxates because of a malalignment in the hindlimb. We offer a variety of treatment options designed to restore normal alignment of the limb and to stop the luxation.

Other conditions and treatments available at Anicare include:

  • Hip luxations (dislocations)
  • Pelvic fractures
  • Transcondylar screw for IOHC in Springer Spaniels
  • Shoulder injuries
  • Meniscal tears
  • Limb deformities
  • Immune mediated polyarthritis
  • Hock and carpal injuries including pancarpal and pantarsal arthrodesis

Soft Tissue Surgery

Should your pet require surgery at Anicare, rest assured, our skilled surgeons can offer pets the highest level of service across a range of procedures. From the most routine surgeries like neutering to more advanced procedures such as major abdominal surgery, your pet is in good hands.

Our qualified anaesthetic nurses use the latest monitoring equipment to ensure your pet’s surgery goes smoothly and comfortably, also aiding in the recovery period after their operation.

We offer a full range of soft tissue surgery such as:

  • Neutering
  • Caesarean section
  • Cystotomy to remove bladder stones
  • Tumour removal
  • Liver biopsy
  • Splenectomy
  • Intestinal surgery to remove masses and foreign bodies.
  • Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome surgery to treat breathing issues
  • Ear surgeries eg. Total Ear Canal Ablation and Ventral Bulla Osteotomy

Your Pet's Surgery

We Care

All routine surgeries are generally performed Monday through Friday. However, since we are open seven days a week, emergency procedures can also safely be carried out over the weekend when necessary. Generally you will be asked to drop off your pet early on the morning of the surgery, having made sure he or she fasted the night before. Your pet may be admitted by either a vet or a nurse, depending on the surgery being performed. Because there is nothing more important than your pet’s safety, he or she will receive a thorough physical examination before any sedation or anaesthetic agents are administered.

Before Surgery

We may recommend running a pre-anaesthetic blood test in order to detect any abnormalities that may complicate surgery. These tests also help us to employ an anaesthetic protocol that is specifically tailored to your pet. We use isoflurane gas anaesthesia for all surgery procedures, which is extremely safe for all patients, particularly geriatric and exotic pets.

During anaesthesia and surgery your pet will be monitored at all times by a veterinary nurse. Your pet’s comfort and safety are a priority and we endeavour to minimise any stress or discomfort associated with surgical procedures. Appropriate pre-med sedation is administered before surgery to minimise anxiety for your pet. We always use excellent pain relief tailored to the surgery being performed to help reduce or eliminate post-operative pain, and most owners are surprised at how happy and bright their pets appear on the evening of surgery.

Inappropriate or unnecessary use of antibiotics has been shown to contribute to the problem of antibiotic resistance. For this reason, we do not use antibiotics for routine aseptic surgical procedures. Our excellent hospital hygiene standards and pre-operative preparation of both the patient and the surgeon render the use of such antibiotics unnecessary.

After Surgery

Your pet recovers more quickly from surgery when he or she is not in pain. We may administer pain medication to your pet before, during and after surgery. We may also send pain medication home with you when you bring your pet home after the procedure. Occasionally pets will require Elizabethan collars to prevent them from chewing or licking excessively at the surgical site, but in most cases these are not required. Most pets can go home on the same day as their surgery. A vet or nurse will provide you with discharge instructions, and for most procedures we will follow up to check on your pet’s condition and remove the sutures from the surgical wound. The cost of these revisits is included in the surgery price.

Patients will occasionally require overnight hospitalisation after surgery. During hospitalisation an animal will not be under continuous supervision as that the premises are unattended at night. However monitoring checks will be made at the discretion of the supervising veterinary surgeon based on regular clinical assessments and if required will refer your pet for overnight monitoring at the pet emergency hospital.

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