rab sxThe Highest Standards of Surgical, Anesthetic, and Nursing Care for Cats

We offer a wide variety of surgical services for cats, including elective, soft tissue, orthopedic, and eye surgeries. You can rest assured that your cat will receive the very best surgical care, including:

  • Anesthesia is tailored to the specific age and health issues of your pet
  • An IV catheter is placed prior to surgery to allow for emergency administration of medication
  • Doctors are assisted by Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVTs)
  • Pain medication is given before and during surgery
  • Vital signs are continually monitored during surgery: Pulse oximetry, EKG, Temperature, Blood pressure, Capnography (CO2)
  • Thermal regulating equipment is used to maintain your pet’s body temperature during both surgery and recovery
  • Your pet is constantly monitored by a CVT during recovery from anesthesia
  • Additional optional services are available to make your pet comfortable while appreciating individual budget constraints

If you choose to compare fees with other clinics, make sure that you evaluate the same quality of care.

When Your Pet Needs Surgery

For those times when surgery is needed for your pet, you can be assured that Countrycare provides the highest standards of surgical, anesthetic and nursing care. Preparation for a surgical procedures starts long before the actual surgery itself.

  • Consultation about your pet’s procedure
  • Pre-surgical exam to evaluate for anesthetic or surgical concerns
  • Pre-anesthetic blood work

Surgical procedures are performed under “general anesthesia”. Your pet sleeps painlessly through the entire surgical procedure. We use the safest pre-anesthetic medications and isoflurane gas anesthesia.

Dr. Aili Heintz

Our surgeon, Dr. Heintz, have many years of experience and continual education and training on the newest surgical techniques and procedures. Her skills and expertise cover a wide range of procedures, from extensive 15 pound tumor excisions to delicate eye problems and many more.

Download Our Informational Surgical Grid

laser sxSurgical Laser

What Does a Surgical Laser Do?

The laser does several things to provide better surgical technique and outcome for your pet’s surgery:

1. Less Pain

The laser seals nerve endings as it “cuts”. As a result, your pet will experience less pain and be more comfortable post-operatively.

2. Less Bleeding

The Laser seals small blood vessels during surgery. This makes procedures faster and helps visualize the surgical area better, therefore reducing complications.

3. Less Swelling

Laser energy does not crush, tear, or bruise tissue because the only thing that touches your pet is an invisible beam of light. It also seals lymphatic vessels which decreases swelling after surgery.

4. Less Trauma

Lasers cut with a beam of light without touching the tissues. This eliminates much of the trauma associated with standard techniques.

5. More Precise

Lasers allow the surgeon to be able to perform surgery with more precision.

6. Faster Recovery

Lasers will speed up the recovery time of almost any surgical procedure. Pets generally recover faster with fewer side effects. Less pain, less bleeding, & less swelling help speed recovery & shorten a hospital stay.

7. Less Infection

There is a reduced risk of infection because the Laser seals the skin and reduces the amount of bacteria present. It also removes unhealthy tissue while minimizing adverse effects to healthy surrounding tissue.

What Does this Mean for My Pet?

It means that you can be guilt free about your pet having surgery. You want your pet to be comfortable and heal quickly – that’s what Laser surgery provides.

It is the kind of care that you would want for yourself…and the care that your best friend deserves!

cat profileElective Surgeries

Ovariohysterectomy (Spay)

An ovariohysterectomy is commonly referred to as a spay surgery. During a spay surgery the ovaries and uterine body are surgically removed.  Spay surgeries are performed to prevent unwanted litters/mating, to reduce the risk of certain hormone associated cancers such as ovarian/uterine/mammary cancer, and to prevent a potentially life threatening infection of the uterus called a pyometra. An ovariohysterectomy surgery is typically performed around 6-12 months of age but can also be performed on older animals too.

Neuter

A neuter is a surgery in which the testicles are removed. Neuter surgery is performed to prevent unwanted breeding, reduce the risk of certain hormone associated cancers, and decrease hormone associated marking or aggression behaviors. Neuter surgery is most commonly performed between 6-12 months, but can also be performed on older animals as well.

Declaw

Declawing refers to the surgical removal of the nail and associated bone at the end of the toenail in a cat. Declawing is performed using a surgical laser which allows for decreased bleeding and seals off nerve endings. Declaw surgeries are typically recommended to be done at a younger age to allow for a faster recovery period. We do not recommend 4 paw declaws for most cats.

kitty upsideSoft Tissue Surgeries

Bladder Stones (Cystotomy)

Bladder stones are a rock-like collection of minerals that can form in the urinary bladder. Bladder stones may be present as a single stone or there may be multiple stones of different sizes. Bladder stones can develop secondary to pH changes in the urine, urinary tract infections, an imbalance in diet, or genetic makeup. Symptoms of bladder stones include bloody urine, straining to urinate, a change in urine stream or inability to urinate, or an increase in the frequency of urination. There are some pets with bladder stones that may not show any signs and the stones may be found during a wellness exam or incidentally during other diagnostic testing.

Small stones and certain types of bladder stones may be dissolved by changing the diet while others may need to be surgically removed.  Surgically removing bladder stones is performed with a cystotomy. Bladder stones are submitted for analysis so that the type of stone can be identified, and appropriate treatment can be started to help prevent bladder stones from reforming.

 Tumor Removal

A tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue which can be either benign (a localized growth that does not  spread to other parts of the body) or malignant (a cancerous growth with the potential to spread to other areas of the body). Tumors can be found either externally on/under the skin or internally in the chest or abdomen. Due to the potential of any abnormal growth to be cancerous it is often recommended to surgically remove the growth if it is growing rapidly in size, changing shape or color, in an area of high motion that could affect the pet’s ability to move comfortably, causing pain or irritation to the pet. Following surgical removal, the tumor is evaluated by a pathologist at the lab to determine if it is benign or malignant so that the proper after-care can be determined.

Abdominal Exploratory

An abdominal exploratory surgery refers to a surgery into the abdomen to look for diagnostic purposes. During an exploratory surgery, there may be biopsies, or samples of organs, taken for further testing to help diagnose a specific problem. Other conditions that may be found during an exploratory surgery include foreign bodies in the intestines or stomach or tumors such as splenic or liver masses. If foreign bodies or masses are found during an exploratory, the condition can then be addressed.

 

cat eyeEye Surgeries

 Keratectomy

Keratectomy surgery is used in the treatment of slow healing or severe ulcers of the eye.  During the procedure the outside portion of the damaged corneal tissue is gently removed and a grid pattern is made over the ulcer to encourage a more rapid healing process for the eye.

Enucleation

Enucleation is the surgical removal of the eye.  This surgery is performed for patients who have a painful or non-functioning eye due to advanced or uncontrolled glaucoma (increased pressure within the eye itself), severe trauma to the eye, or tumors of the eye.  After the eye is removed, the eyelids are permanently closed allowing a cosmetic appearance.

What People
Have Said

"I would not trust my cats’ care to anyone else.  Dr. Strickfaden takes the time to listen and understand my concerns for my cats.  She treats their health needs, both physically and emotionally, professionally and compassionately."
- Wendy N., Appleton