Surgery & Anesthesia

Services >> Surgery / Spay & Neuter

Not all surgical teams are created equal. We make use of recent advances to approach your pet's surgery in the safest way possible. We realize that every pet owner wants the best for their pet. Since surgical and anesthetic procedures are probably the most important procedures your pet will ever undergo, we put your pet's safety and comfort ahead of everything else.

"Our doctors use the most current anesthetic medications and monitoring techniques available to make surgical procedures safer than ever before."
- Dr. Eric Vymyslicky, Medical Director

WHAT MAKES OUR SURGICAL PROTOCOL SUPERIOR?

• Before every surgical procedure, each pet is examined carefully by a doctor

• A treatment plan is tailored to the pet's specific health status, age, and breed

• Pre-operative blood testing screens for conditions like liver or kidney disease

• Intravenous catheter placement allows for IV medications and emergency situations

• Intravenous fluids support your pet's kidneys, heart, blood pressure and electrolyte balance

• Drugs are chosen using the shortest-acting effect possible for the procedure

• Mandatory pain management both before, during, and after painful surgical procedures

• Local anesthetics are used where appropriate to provide additional pain relief

• Endotracheal intubation allows oxygen supplementation and a clear airway

• Hot-air blowers surround your pet in body-temperature air to help prevent hypothermia

• Isoflurane Gas Anesthesia provides a great safety margin and rapid recovery

• Vitals monitoring with EKG, oxygen, pulse and blood pressure monitors

• Sterile gowns, drapes, and instruments are used for each and every procedure

• Intensive after-surgery care and heat to support a rapid and comfortable recovery

• Re-check appointments as needed to check healing and remove any sutures

Our surgical suite is equipped with anesthesia monitors, a patient warming system, IV fluid pumps, and is staffed by a registered veterinary technician. Sterile techniques are strictly enforced, and the patient's vital signs are closely monitored throughout the procedure.

Monitoring the anesthetized patient

Before you schedule a surgical procedure anywhere else,
check the following list and make sure you get the right answer to every question:

QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO ASK	HANOVER VETERINARY HOSPITAL	OTHER CLINIC
Will the doctor be there to answer any questions I have before surgery?	YES	?
Will the doctor personally do a complete exam on my pet prior to surgery?	YES	?
Will you make sure my pet is in good health by checking a blood test before surgery?	YES	?
Do you place an IV Catheter in my pet to allow constant access to a vein for safety?	YES	?
Do you give my pet IV fluids to prevent dehydration and support her blood pressure?	YES	?
Do you customize your anesthetic protocols to meet my pet's needs based on age, health status, and breed?	YES	?
Do you monitor my pet's heart rate, oxygen levels, blood pressure, and other vital signs?	YES	?
Do you use pain relieving medications aggressively and judiciously to relieve my pet's pain?	YES	?
Is a registered veterinary technician on staff to assist in surgery?	YES	?
Will a doctor or trained assistant personally meet with me after surgery to show me how to take care of my pet at home?	YES	?
Will you provide me with a collar to put around my pet to discourage licking and help my pet's incision heal as rapidly as possible?	YES	?
Will the doctor see my pet again on a follow-up visit to assess healing and remove any stitches that my pet may have?	YES	?
Do you have surgery appointments available any day of the week, Monday through Friday?	YES	?
Can my pet stay one night at no extra charge if I can't pick her up or drop her off the same day?	YES	?

CALL NOW TO SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT (219) 374 - 9443

SPAY/NEUTER PRICING INFORMATION:

SURGERY FEES
PUPPIES/KITTENS (Under 6 months and healthy): FREE
PUPPIES/KITTENS (6-12 months and healthy): $50
DOGS/CATS 12 months and older: PLEASE CALL

ADDITIONAL FEES FOR ANESTHETIC PROTOCOL:

Pre-operative blood screen
Pain medications for up to 5 days
Intravenous catheterization & fluids
Collar to prevent licking $59
$39
$39*
$12-18*

Have a spay/neuter certificate? The value may be usable toward the above fees. Ask us for details!

*Generally not required for feline neutering. All other items are mandatory for all other procedures.

WHY IS THE SURGERY FREE???

It's simple. We are following an alarming trend of puppies and kittens being neutered at "cheap" places that are not using the most basic of safety protocols - physical examination, blood screening, anesthetic monitors, intravenous fluids, and pain medications. Or worse, owners even believe they are getting all of the above, just paying less, when the reality couldn't be further from the truth!

This lack of safety protocol may be fine for shelter animals or strays (and we even offer a lower-cost clinic for stray cats), but we feel strongly that it is NOT appropriate for pets that already have a loving home! We believe ALL puppies and kittens with a new family should be spayed or neutered in a HOSPITAL SETTING where pain medication, blood screening, intravenous fluids, and all the other aspects of surgery listed above are not optional! By offering the surgery for free, we hope that most owners will go the extra mile and make sure their pet receives the best care.

CURRENT PRICING IS VALID THROUGH MAY 31, 2011.