Navigating Pet Surgery with Confidence

As pet parents, we strive to keep our furry friends happy and healthy, but sometimes unforeseen circumstances arise, and our pets may require surgery. This can be a daunting and stressful experience for both pets and their owners. However, with the right preparation and guidance, navigating pet surgery can be a manageable experience.

Here at The COVE we have a team of experienced technicians and a board-certified surgeon who ensure that all patients have a safe, comfortable, and successful procedure and recovery. Below, we detail our safety protocols to help pet parents feel confident throughout the surgery day.

The COVE’s board-certified veterinary surgical specialist, Jeff T. Stallings, DVM, DACVS, has the experience and knowledge to meet any pet surgical need. As a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Dr. Stallings remains on the leading edge of his profession and serves as the Suffolk region’s busiest and most respected veterinary surgeon.

Pet Surgery Safety Protocols at The COVE

Our patients’ safety and comfort are our top priorities. With that in mind, our surgery protocols are tailored to each pet based on age, breed, lifestyle, medical demands, and stress management needs. While each patient is in our care, we take the following precautions:

1. Personalized administration of anesthesia and pain management
   Each patient will receive a complete anesthetic evaluation and exam with our surgery team before and on the day of surgery to provide the most appropriate approach. This includes an analgesic (pain management) plan such as local blocks, nerve blocks, and epidurals before and during surgery.
   
   
2. Our trained surgery staff monitors continuously before, during, and after surgery
   Monitoring a patient’s vital signs is essential. By dedicating a veterinary technician to monitor continuously, we can detect any change and make immediate adjustments to keep them safe and comfortable. We use advanced monitoring equipment (oscillometric blood pressure, EKG, end-tidal CO2, pulse oximetry, EKG, arterial line, etc.) and our eyes and ears to closely observe. Our highly trained team will not leave a patient’s side for any period of time. In addition, we use a warming blanket to keep their body temperature stable, which leads to better (and safer) surgical outcomes.

    

3. Individualized pain management protocols after surgery
   Pets have unique needs for post-surgical pain management based on their health, pain level, and type of surgery performed. Advances in the field of veterinary pain management over the past decade have given us many new options to keep pain in check. The COVE’s highly skilled surgical team remains with you every step of the way throughout the entire recovery phase making necessary adjustments and tailoring your pet’s pain and sedation protocols based on their individual needs.

Pet nervousness is a component of any surgery, but our team takes care to go slowly and keep their visit as stress-free as possible. Unfortunately, we can’t give them any food or treats on the day of surgery, but we can provide lots of snuggles and love. We are true animal lovers and treat each patient as if they are one of our own.

Excellent Communication from Start to Finish

A pet’s surgery can be stressful for pet families, too. For that reason, we will stay in close contact and provide regular updates while they are in our care. We also use PetPath, an app that gives a pet parent a powerful tool to help manage recovery at home. We are always happy to answer any questions before, during, or after surgery.

You can trust that your pet is in good hands at The COVE. If you have any questions or concerns about pet surgery, please don’t hesitate to call us anytime at (757) 935-9111.