At Animal Ark Animal Hospital, pet surgery is one of our primary services. We routinely perform spays and neuters here in Franklin, along with a wide range of other soft tissue procedures to treat acute and chronic problems. Our goal is to help your pet enjoy a happier, healthier future with surgery, which we provide in our state-of-the-art surgical suite. With your companion’s safety and comfort being our highest priorities, you can be assured they are in great hands with us.
As your veterinarian, we pledge to do everything possible to ensure the best possible treatment for your loved one. This means referring them to a trusted specialist if they require a more complex procedure. We have sent a patient to New York City for specialty liver surgery, and another to Ohio State for a unique heart procedure.
In the video below, we referred one of our feline patients, Tucker, to the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine for a lifesaving kidney transplant.
Please reach out to us at (615) 778-0880 for more information, or to book a pre-surgical consultation with us!
Our Protocols to Keep Pets Safe During Surgery
Animal Ark Animal Hospital is committed to your pet’s safety at all times. With every surgery, our doctors and staff follow a strict set of protocols to promote health, comfort, and a smooth recovery for your companion.
These protocols include:
- Full monitoring by a veterinary technician to track your pet’s blood pressure, CO2, oxygen, ECG, and more
- Use of a state-of-the-art digital monitoring system
- IV catheter placement for quick administration of fluids and medications as needed
- Warming systems to keep your pet’s body temperature at a healthy level
- Aggressive pain control appropriate to the situation to ensure maximum comfort
Types of Cat and Dog Surgeries We Perform
Our team is able to perform a wide range of soft-tissue surgeries, including but not limited to:
- Spays and neuters
- Bladder surgeries
- Mass removals
- Abdominal surgeries
- Laceration repairs
- Dental/Oral surgeries
- Stenotic nares and elongated soft palate surgeries for French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, and more
- …and much more
In some cases that require advanced skills or equipment, your pet may require a board certified surgeon. Depending on the situation and type of surgery, we may have a mobile board certified surgeon come in to perform the surgery in our facility or we may refer it to one of many local board certified surgeons.
How Spay and Neuter Surgeries Benefit Your Pet's Health
Protecting your pet from disease is an ongoing process. With spay and neuter surgeries, your pet can experience greater protection from certain conditions, and they only need one procedure to achieve that.
Here are some of the most important ways spays and neuters benefit dogs and cats:
Reduced Risk of Cancer
Spaying reduces the risk of ovarian, uterine, and mammary cancer in females. Neutering removes the risk of testicular cancer in males.
Pyometra Prevention
Spaying prevents a condition known as pyometra, a serious infection of the uterus.
Reduce Unwanted Behaviors
Certain unwanted behaviors, such as vocalizing, going into heat, roaming, aggression, and mounting may be reduced or prevented with spay and neuter surgeries.
When to Spay and Neuter Your Dog or Cat
Ideally, female dogs and cats should be spayed before they have their first heat cycle. Males can be neutered around 6 months.
However, large and giant dog breeds may need to wait until they are at least a year old to undergo spay or neuter surgery to permit more joint stability and structural integrity. Spaying or neutering a larger breed dog too soon may negatively impact the joints, especially the knees, resulting in a higher potential for torn knee ligaments.
Your pet’s age, size, and overall health will help to determine when it is appropriate to have them spayed or neutered. Contact us at (615) 778-0880 to consult with us and discuss your pet’s options!