Combining Experienced Surgical Technique with Meticulous Safety Protocols to Achieve the Best Possible Outcome for Your Cat
The decision to proceed with surgery for your cat is a significant one. Whether it’s a planned procedure or an unexpected necessity, we know you want to feel confident that your feline companion is in the most skilled and caring hands. At San Marcos Veterinary Clinic, we honor the trust you place in us by providing an exceptional standard of surgical care.
Our veterinary team combines years of experience with a deep understanding of feline medicine to perform a wide range of surgical procedures. Our goal is always to provide a clear diagnosis, offer the most effective treatment, and ensure your cat’s safety and comfort every step of the way.
When Surgery is the Best Path to Healing
For many feline health conditions, surgery is not just the best option—it is the definitive solution that can restore health, eliminate pain, and even save a life. From routine preventive procedures to more complex operations, our team is dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome for every patient we treat. We believe in clear communication and will work with you to ensure you understand the reasons for a recommended procedure and what to expect from the results.
Common Types of Cat Surgery We Perform
The skilled veterinarians at our San Marcos Veterinary Clinic have extensive experience performing a wide variety of common and advanced soft tissue surgeries for cats. Our surgical suite is equipped with modern technology to handle procedures such as:
- Spaying and Neutering: The most important preventive surgeries we perform, offering lifelong health and behavioral benefits.
- Mass (Lump) Removal: The surgical removal of skin tumors, internal masses, or cysts. We often recommend sending these tissues for biopsy to get a definitive diagnosis and guide any further treatment.
- Abdominal & Intestinal Surgery: This includes procedures like foreign body removal, a life-saving surgery for cats who have swallowed string, toys, or other objects.
- Bladder Surgery (Cystotomy): A common procedure to remove painful bladder stones that can cause blockages and chronic infections.
- Wound & Abscess Repair: Cats are prone to abscesses from bites or scratches. This surgery involves lancing, flushing, and often placing a temporary drain to allow the wound to heal cleanly from the inside out.
- Advanced Dental Extractions: Oral surgery to extract diseased, painful teeth is a common procedure that dramatically improves a cat’s quality of life.
Our Unwavering Commitment to Anesthetic Safety
A safe surgical outcome is impossible without safe anesthesia. While surgery is our focus, your cat’s safety under anesthesia is our absolute priority. We adhere to rigorous safety protocols, understanding that cats have unique physiological needs. Our multi-layered approach includes:
- Pre-Anesthetic Health Screening: We perform a thorough physical exam and recommend pre-surgical bloodwork to check organ function (especially kidneys and liver), ensuring your cat can process anesthetic safely and allowing us to tailor their plan.
- Tailored Anesthetic & Pain Management Plan: Every cat’s anesthetic drug protocol is personally selected by our veterinarians based on their age, health, and the specific procedure. Importantly, we proactively manage pain starting before the procedure.
- Dedicated Professional Monitoring: During surgery, a dedicated veterinary professional continuously monitors your cat’s vital signs, including heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and body temperature, from induction until safe recovery.
- IV Catheter and Fluids: An intravenous (IV) catheter is a standard safety measure for all surgical patients, providing immediate access for medications and allowing us to administer IV fluids to maintain stable blood pressure and hydration.
The Surgical Journey: Before, During, and After
We are your partners throughout the entire surgical process.
- The Consultation: We will sit down with you to discuss our findings, why we recommend surgery, what the procedure entails, and the expected recovery. We encourage you to ask any and all questions you may have.
- The Day of Surgery: Our compassionate team will ensure your cat is kept calm and comfortable. We will keep you updated and will call you as soon as they are safely in recovery.
- Post-Operative Care: A smooth recovery at home is crucial. We will provide you with clear, detailed instructions on how to care for your cat, including medication schedules, activity restrictions, incision care, and what to watch for. Our team is always just a phone call away if you have concerns during the healing process.
When you entrust your cat to our surgical team, you can be certain they will receive precise, skilled, and deeply compassionate care.
Frequently Asked Questions for Cat Surgery Preparation and Recovery
It’s completely normal to have questions and concerns when your cat needs surgery. We’re here to provide clear answers and reassure you every step of the way.
How safe is surgery and anesthesia for cats?
Modern feline surgery and anesthesia are exceptionally safe due to advanced techniques and stringent safety protocols. While no medical procedure is entirely risk-free, we significantly minimize risks through thorough pre-anesthetic screening, individualized anesthetic plans, continuous vital sign monitoring, and a dedicated team focused solely on your cat’s well-being.
Why is pre-surgical bloodwork important, even if my cat seems healthy?
Pre-surgical bloodwork is crucial because it gives us a vital snapshot of your cat’s internal health, particularly their organ function (like kidneys and liver). This allows us to ensure they can safely metabolize anesthetic medications and helps us detect any underlying conditions that might not be visible externally, enabling us to customize the safest possible anesthetic plan.
How do you manage my cat’s pain during and after surgery?
Pain management is a cornerstone of our surgical care. We use a multi-modal approach, administering a combination of pain medications that target pain from different angles. This begins before the surgery, continues throughout the procedure, and includes providing appropriate pain medication for home use, ensuring your cat’s comfort and promoting a smoother recovery.
Will my cat be monitored during the procedure?
Absolutely. During the entire surgical procedure, your cat is continuously monitored by a dedicated veterinary professional. They meticulously track vital signs such as heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and body temperature from the moment anesthesia begins until your cat is safely awake in recovery.
What types of surgeries do you perform for cats?
Our skilled veterinarians perform a wide range of common and advanced soft tissue surgeries for cats. This includes routine procedures like spaying and neutering, as well as more complex operations such as mass removals, abdominal and intestinal surgeries (e.g., foreign body removal), bladder stone removal, wound and abscess repair, and advanced dental extractions.
What should I expect on the day of my cat’s surgery?
On the day of surgery, our compassionate team will greet you and ensure your cat is comfortable. We will keep you informed throughout the process and will contact you as soon as your cat is safely awake and recovering. We prioritize a calm and stress-free environment for your feline companion.
How will I know how to care for my cat when they come home after surgery?
Before you take your cat home, we will provide you with clear, detailed written and verbal after-care instructions. We’ll review everything you need to know, including medication schedules, how to monitor the incision site, activity restrictions, and any specific dietary needs. Our team is always available by phone if you have any questions or concerns during the healing process.
What if I have questions or concerns during my cat’s recovery?
Your peace of mind is important to us. If you have any questions or concerns at all during your cat’s recovery period, please do not hesitate to call our clinic. Our team is ready to provide guidance and support to ensure a smooth and successful healing process.
