Surgery

Veterinarian holding a small dog

Trust Your Pet’s Surgical Needs to Our Care

In our continuing efforts to offer the highest quality veterinary medicine, we are pleased to provide a wide range of surgical services for our patients. From routine surgical procedures, such as spaying and neutering, to more complex surgeries such as mass removals or gastropexy, we look forward to the opportunity to care for your pet’s surgical needs. 

Our staff is highly skilled in performing veterinary surgeries and will make every effort to ensure that your pet receives the very best care. Our focus on patient safety, pain management, and employing the most current surgical practices is designed to exceed your expectations and put your concerns to rest. Our staff of compassionate, caring professionals will monitor your pet before, during, and after surgery and will take exceptional care to ensure a safe and complete recovery for your pet. ​

When your pet is ready to go home, we will review your postoperative care and medication instructions. If any questions arise after your pet returns home or at any other time during the postoperative period, call us. We welcome your questions and will do all we can to help your pet recover fully. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the anesthetic safe?

Anesthetics used by the veterinarians at Belmont Animal Hospital are based on years of research in human and veterinary medicine. We only use the most up to date anesthetic techniques. We also use the latest in monitoring technology. While under anesthesia, our surgical technicians monitor your pet’s ECG, oxygen levels, blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and respiratory patterns. Each patient’s anesthesia protocol is adjusted based on that individual patient and what is best for them.

Do I need to feed my pet prior to surgery?

Please do not feed your pet after midnight the night before surgery to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia. Water does not need to be withheld. Most patients will be hungry when they get home but it could take 24 hours for normal appetite to return. Be sure to only feed approximately 1/3 of your pet’s normal meal the night after surgery. You can resume normal feedings the day after surgery.

Will my pet have stitches?

For some surgeries, we use absorbable sutures underneath the skin that will dissolve and do not need to be removed. Other surgeries require skin sutures that do require removal usually 10 to 14 days after surgery.
With either type of suture, please keep an eye on the incision for swelling or discharge. Most dogs and cats do not lick excessively or chew at the incision. If your pet is the exception, please let us know in order to avoid significant tissue damage. We will recommend an Elizabethan collar (“lamp shade”) in these cases. You will also need to limit your pet’s activity, baths and swimming until the stitches are removed.

Will my pet be in pain?

We use a multimodal pain approach of medications before, during, and after surgery to avoid as much discomfort as possible for your pet. Animals experience pain from the same things people do, although they can show signs of discomfort differently. Signs of discomfort include whining, anxiety, pacing or the inability to get comfortable, excessive panting, avoidance or hiding, aggression, lethargy, and lack of appetite. If you feel your pet is showing any of these signs after surgery, be sure to let us know as soon as possible.

Surgery for Pets in Nashville, TN

To learn more about our surgical services or to schedule a consultation, please give us a call at 615-383-1000 or make an appointment online.

What's Next

  • 1

    Call Us or Schedule an Appointment Online

  • 2

    Meet with a Doctor for an Initial Exam

  • 3

    Put a Plan Together for Your Pet

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