Veterinary Surgery in Omaha, NE,

Veterinary surgery encompasses a wide range of procedures that can be classified broadly into two categories: elective surgeries and emergency surgeries. Elective surgeries, such as spaying or neutering, dental extractions, and certain soft tissue operations, are planned and are not immediately life-threatening. In contrast, emergency surgeries are performed in response to acute conditions like gastric torsion, traumatic injuries, or foreign body removal, where immediate intervention is crucial.

Our Omaha, NE, veterinary surgeons are specialized veterinarians who have completed extensive training in surgical techniques, anesthesia, and patient care. They are adept at performing intricate procedures while minimizing the risk of complications. They are also responsible for making critical decisions that can impact the outcome of the surgery and the overall health of your pet.

• Soft Tissue Surgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Spay and Neuter
• C-Section
• Amputation
• Cherry Eye Repair
• Cystotomy Procedure
• Mass Removal
• Exploratory Surgery
• Biopsies
• Gastropexy Surgery
• Splenectomy Surgery
• Gastrointestinal Procedures

Proper preparation is crucial for any veterinary surgical procedure. It ensures the safety of your pet and can significantly improve the success rate of the operation.

1. Pre-Surgical Assessments – Before surgery, our veterinarians perform comprehensive assessments, including physical examinations and diagnostic tests such as blood work, X-rays, or ultrasounds. These evaluations help to identify any underlying conditions that could affect the surgery or the anesthesia protocol.
2. Fasting and Medications – Your pet needs to fast after 10 pm, the night before their surgery, (a small amount of water is fine), to reduce the risk of aspiration during anesthesia. Additionally, our veterinarians may adjust or temporarily discontinue certain medications to avoid potential interactions or side effects.
3. Preparing the Surgical Site – On the day of the surgery, the area of your pet’s body where the operation will be performed is carefully prepared. This involves clipping the fur and thoroughly disinfecting the skin to create a sterile field and minimize the risk of post-surgical infections.

Post-operative care is a vital part of the recovery process after veterinary surgery. It can influence the speed of recovery, the risk of complications, and the overall comfort of the pet.

1. Pain Management – Veterinary surgeons provide pain relief medications to manage discomfort after surgery. It is essential for pet owners to follow the prescribed pain management protocol and to monitor their pets for any signs of distress.
2. Home Care Instructions – After surgery, we will provide detailed home-care instructions, which typically include guidelines on rest, diet, medication administration, and wound care. Adherence to these instructions is imperative for proper healing.
3. Follow-Up Visits and Suture Removal – Follow-up visits allow our veterinarians to assess the healing process and address any concerns. Suture removal, when necessary, is usually scheduled a couple of weeks after the surgery, depending on the type and extent of the procedure.
4. Recognizing Complications – Pet owners should be vigilant for signs of complications, such as swelling, redness, or discharge at the surgical site, lethargy, or changes in appetite. Prompt communication with our veterinary team is crucial if any of these signs are observed.

We have licensed veterinary technicians who monitor your pet from induction of anesthesia through recovery. During anesthesia, all pets are continuously monitored for heart rate, temperature, oxygen saturation, and respiration rate.

Our anesthetic machines are of the highest quality, and they are inspected regularly. All pets undergoing anesthesia are monitored with pulse oximeter technology.

The following standards are of critical importance to our Prairie Lane Veterinary Hospital team:

1. We tailor anesthetic drug protocols to suit each patient’s current life stage and health status, ensuring safety and efficacy. These protocols are carefully crafted to align with the specific procedure being performed, optimizing both safety and effectiveness.
2. We use modern anesthetic delivery equipment, offering precise and accurate administration of the anesthetic agent.

Our priority is your pet’s safety during surgery, which is why we invest in high-quality monitoring equipment equipped with the latest technology. This advanced equipment allows us to continuously monitor vital signs such as blood gases, temperature, blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), ECG, and respiration rate throughout the surgical procedure.

Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures that prevent animals from reproducing.

• Spaying is the surgical removal of a female animal’s reproductive organs.
• Neutering is the removal of a male animal’s testicles, which contributes significantly to animal welfare and population control.

Pros of Spay and Neuter

The benefits of spaying and neutering extend beyond controlling the animal population. These procedures can also lead to healthier, longer lives for pets. Here are some pros:

• Health Benefits: Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors in females, while neutering can prevent testicular cancer and some prostate problems in males.
• Behavioral Improvements: Neutered males are less likely to roam away from home, mark their territory with strong scents, or display aggression. Spayed females will not go into heat, which can reduce the likelihood of attracting unwanted male attention and the associated noise and erratic behavior.
• Population Control: With millions of homeless animals, spaying and neutering help reduce the number of animals that end up in shelters, euthanized, or on the streets.

Soft tissue surgery encompasses a wide range of procedures that do not involve bone. Our Omaha, NE veterinarians perform these surgeries to treat various conditions affecting the ear, nose, throat, skin, cardiovascular system, and more.

Common Soft Tissue Surgeries Include:

• Gastrointestinal Surgery: To remove obstructions or treat conditions like bloat.
• Hernia Repairs: Fixing abnormal openings in the body wall.
• Ear Surgeries: Procedures like ear hematoma repair.
• Urinary Tract Surgeries: Such as bladder stone removal.

A dedicated licensed veterinary technician will monitor your pet from induction of anesthesia through recovery. During anesthesia, all pets are continuously monitored for heart rate, temperature, oxygen saturation, and respiration rate.

Our anesthetic machines are of the highest quality. They have been recently upgraded and inspected. All animals undergoing anesthesia will be monitored with pulse oximeter technology

These qualities are of critical importance to us at Prairie Lane Veterinary Hospital:

1. Safe anesthetic drug protocols that match the type of patient with their current stage of life. These protocols must also reflect the type of procedure being done to maximize both safety and effectiveness.
2. New modern anesthetic delivery equipment that can administer the anesthetic agent with precise accuracy.

Monitoring equipment must be high quality and current with the latest technology to insure your pet’s safety during surgery. Our monitoring equipment measures blood gases, temperature, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, ECG, and respiration rate continuously throughout the surgical procedure.

Gastropexy surgery is a preventive procedure that effectively protects at-risk breeds from gastric dilation volvulus, also known as bloat. This is a serious medical condition with a high fatality rate that can kill in as little as an hour!

If you suspect your pet is experiencing bloat, do not hesitate to seek urgent care immediately. Symptoms include a distended abdomen, restlessness, collapse, and unproductive vomiting.

To prevent the life-threatening consequences of torsion (bloat), we secure the stomach to the abdominal wall. This preventive measure is particularly crucial for large, deep-chested breeds like Great Danes, Dobermans, and German Shepherds. For owners of at-risk breeds, monitoring portion sizes and eating speed is also vital. Our skilled team will guide bloat prevention during your consultation.

Mass removal surgery involves the removal of tumors or growths from an animal’s body. This type of surgery is often necessary when a mass is found to be cancerous or is causing discomfort or impairment to the animal.

Why is Mass Removal Surgery Necessary?

• Cancer Treatment: Removing a malignant tumor can be a life-saving procedure.
• Relief of Pain or Discomfort: Some masses can grow large enough to cause pain or hinder movement.
• Prevention of Further Health Issues: Early removal of a mass can prevent more severe health complications.

Gastrointestinal procedures in veterinary medicine are critical for diagnosing and treating ailments within an animal’s digestive tract. These procedures can range from non-invasive diagnostics to major surgeries.

Common Gastrointestinal Procedures Include:

• Foreign body removal: Pets sometimes swallow items that can obstruct their digestive tract, leading to discomfort and blockages. Surgical intervention may be essential to retrieve these objects.
• Hernia repair: Pets are susceptible to hernias, and surgical correction may be necessary to address them.
• Intestinal surgery: This encompasses various procedures like excising diseased segments of the intestines, repairing perforations, and eliminating tumors.

The spleen is an organ that plays a role in blood filtration and immune response. Splenectomy, the surgical removal of the spleen, is conducted when there is a rupture, tumor, or other severe spleen-related conditions in animals. Although pets can live without their spleen, the surgery can be complex and requires careful post-operative care to prevent complications.

Orthopedic surgery in veterinary care addresses ailments related to the skeletal system – bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments. These procedures can help animals with injuries or chronic conditions like hip dysplasia or cruciate ligament tears.

Fracture Repairs – One of the most common orthopedic surgeries is fracture repair. Depending on the type and location of the fracture, our vets may use pins, plates, screws, or external fixators to stabilize the bones.

Joint Surgery – Under the skilled hands of Dr. David Eaton, we conduct joint surgeries, including cruciate repairs, to enhance the quality of life for animals enduring joint pain or mobility challenges.

Please call our hospital to learn more about the joint procedures we offer and schedule an appointment with one of our doctors to determine the best procedure option for your pet.

Dental disease is painful and puts pets at risk for further infection in the oral cavity and rest of the body. For this reason, we may recommend oral surgery for pets diagnosed with advanced stages of dental disease. In less severe cases, a routine dental cleaning may be enough to provide relief.

Our skilled Omaha, NE, veterinary team will provide substantial relief if your pet needs oral surgery. We are trained to perform common procedures such as tooth extractions, and foreign object removal. Advanced procedures such as jaw and tooth fractures, oral tumors and cysts, and root canals are also performed.

Finding a veterinary surgeon near you in Omaha is easy with our online direct booking feature. Both new and existing clients seeking care from a pet surgeon may schedule an appointment at our Omaha vet clinic.