Surgical Services

General & Advanced Surgery

Ark Veterinary Hospital & Urgent Care offers general and advanced surgery options for our patients. No matter what type of surgery your pet has to undergo, we always provide the most comfortable and stress-free experience possible. Our Veterinarians can perform a variety of surgical procedures using modern equipment and carefully regulated pain-management protocols. Since surgery can be a worrisome experience, our staff are always available to help answer any questions or concerns you might have about the procedure.

Spay/Neuter Procedure

Spaying and neutering your pets is not only important for population control, but it can also increase their life-span and prevent certain illnesses. Spaying is the name for the removal of female reproductive organs, while neutering involves the removal of the male reproductive organs.

Ark Veterinary Hospital & Urgent Care Veterinarians and staff perform hundreds of spay and neutering surgeries on animals of all shapes and sizes. The procedure is highly recommended for all pets that are in our care unless it is the owner’s intentions that they are responsibly bred in a purposeful manner. It is typically recommended that spay or neuter surgery occurs while animals are between 4 and 12 months of age, depending on the size and breed of your pet.

Although spaying and neutering is a common surgery and is relatively quick and easy to recover from, we understand that it can still be a nerve-wracking experience for owners. We work tirelessly to ensure that your pet is as safe and comfortable as possible, particularly when it comes to anesthesia and post-surgery pain management.

Beyond population control, spaying or neutering your pet can also help with the following issues:

• Did you know that spayed female pets have longer life expectancies? Removal of the ovaries and uterus reduces the risk for uterine infections, breast cancer, and other potentially life-threatening conditions.
• Prevents testicular cancer in male pets.
• During heat, cats and dogs can become difficult to manage and care for. By removing the female reproductive organs, you eliminate potential heat-related problems and behavioral issues.
• Spaying and neutering can generally improve your pet’s behavior, since reproductive organs lead to the production of hormones that, in turn, can potentially lead to a range of behavioral problems.
• Neutered males are less likely to roam or run away.
• You can save money! Unplanned litters of puppies or kittens can cost a fortune, particularly if your female pet needs help to deliver or suffers complications from birth. By eliminating the chances of having an unplanned litter, you can prevent high costs associated with puppies and kittens (even if they are cute)!

Orthopedic Surgery

This is any surgery that involves the correction of a bone, joint, or spine-related injury. Common forms of orthopedic issues that can be treated include fractures, ACL tears, dislocations, and ligament repairs.

Soft Tissue Surgery

This type of surgery is used to treat medical conditions that affect the soft tissues of your pet’s body, such as skin, muscles, and internal organs. For example, removals of masses or tumors, trauma repair, intestinal surgery, or removal of bladder stones would all be considered soft tissue surgery.

Splenectomy Surgery

This type of surgery is usually a last resort, as it involves the complete removal of an animal’s spleen.

C-Section

Just like with humans, our pets sometimes need a little extra help giving birth to their babies. C-Section surgery involves the facilitation of delivering a litter. There are a number of factors that can determine whether or not an animal will require delivery assistance. If you are concerned about your pet birthing their litter, please contact one of our veterinarians.

Gastrointestinal Surgery

This type of surgery is typically performed to alleviate abdominal discomfort or treat serious issues within the digestive tract. If your pet is experiencing signs of severe abdominal discomfort such as vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, or weight loss, gastrointestinal surgery may be required to alleviate discomfort.

Foreign Body Removal

All animals, particularly dogs, can digest foreign objects that are potentially dangerous to their health. Foreign Objects that have been digested and cannot pass safely on their own can be very serious and even life-threatening to your pet. In these situations, foreign body removal surgery will likely be required.

Pain Management

We tailor our pain management to the specific individual needs of your pet. It can be extremely distressing and often unnecessary for an animal to be in pain following a surgical procedure, and it can also be stressful for you to have to watch them suffer. Although surgeries are invasive and can lead to postoperative pain, our staff is committed to ensuring your pet has a personalized pain management regime that can be administered after surgery to keep them comfortable.

Ark Veterinary Hospital & Urgent Care works with experienced and caring anesthesiologists, who carefully administer the ideal quantities of anesthesia to ensure your pet is comfortable during surgery and doesn’t feel a thing! 

Once your pet has had their surgery and they’re ready to be taken home, you will receive detailed instructions on how to best manage their pain and administer any pain medications provided.