OUR SERVICES
Surgery at
O'Connor Vet
Comprehensive Surgical Care
for Pets at O'Connor Vet
From routine procedures such as spays and neuters to unexpected situations requiring soft tissue surgery, your pet is in trusted hands at O’Connor Vet.
Our modern, fully equipped surgical suite allows our experienced team to perform major procedures with precision and care. At O’Connor Vet, we prioritise your pet’s well-being, ensuring they receive exceptional medical attention — along with plenty of love and comfort.
You can rest assured that your furry companions are receiving top-notch care in a supportive and compassionate environment.
Types of Surgery
- Male Desexing (Castrations)
- Female Desexing (Speys)
- Skin biopsies
- Surgical tumour and lump removals
- Abscess surgery
- Eye and eyelid surgery
- Ear surgery
- Hernia repair
- Airway obstruction treatment (including Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) surgery)
- Abdominal or chest surgery
- Gastrointestinal surgery
- Fractures and ligament repairs both simple and complex.
- Conventional plates, Linear, and hybrid external fixation
- Correction of angular limb deformities
- Cranial Cruciate ligament rupture “ACL.”
- Tibial-plateau-leveling osteotomy (TPLO)
- Extracapsular stabilisation (lateral fabella suture or De Angelis repair)
- Patella luxation
- Distal femoral wedge ostectomy for distal femoral bowing
- Femoral head and neck removal
- Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis – prevents Hip Dysplasia.
Orthopaedic surgery performed at Belmont Vet Centre is usually either Bone Fractures, or Joint/Ligament Injury surgery and may be as a result of a traumatic accident (fall, hit by car, foot in pothole when running), but could also include correction of congenital and developmental limb deformities or removal of cancers involving bones.
Fracture investigation and repair in animals involves stabilising the patient, diagnosing the extent of the injuries, and fixation of broken bones to allow them to heal. Stabilisation means dealing with any life-threatening problems such as damaged internal organs, and shock. Diagnostic radiographs (X-rays) are taken to determine the extent of and repair type for any fractures. Some repair options are available and are selected depending on the type of fracture, sometimes in combination. They include: splinting, cerclage wiring around the bone, screws, plates, pinning and external skeletal fixation (external frame).
The surgical procedure for other orthopaedic injuries (such as anterior cruciate ligament rupture) is similar, with the diagnosis being made at a consultation. And then confirmed with X-rays and examination under anaesthetic. Repair consists of stabilising the joint if unstable, and removing any torn, or damaged tissue likely to cause future problems.
Pre-Surgery Patient Information
Prior to Admission
Please remove your pet’s food from 10pm the night before surgery, unless directed otherwise by your pet’s veterinarian. It is not necessary for pocket pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, rats etc, to fast before surgery.
There is no need to remove your pets water bowl prior to admission.
Please continue with any regular medications as normal. Please seek advice from your veterinarian if you are unsure.
We highly recommend that you bathe your dog on the day prior to their surgery, in preparation for their procedure and to further reduce the risk of infection. You will not be able to bathe your pet for 2 weeks after surgery, to allow time for their surgical site to heal and prevent infection.
Admission Appointment
Please arrive at the clinic with your pet at the designated admission time provided during booking. Our vet nurse will review the procedure with you, go over the ‘Hospital Admission and Consent Form,’ and address any questions you may have.
We will also verify your contact information to ensure we can reach you throughout the day if needed. This may include discussing blood test results, reporting any unexpected findings, obtaining permission for adjustments to the treatment plan (such as additional procedures under general anaesthesia), or, in rare cases, addressing emergencies.
The admission process typically takes about 10-15 minutes.
After you depart, your pet will be settled into one of our comfortable hospital wards, complete with soothing bedding and calming pheromones, to prepare for their pre-op checks.
Pre-op Care
Before any surgery, all our patients undergo a pre-anesthetic check-up.
As part of our standard procedure, we provide a basic pre-anesthetic blood test (PCV/VT) at no additional cost. This test helps us assess your pet’s overall health and their suitability for anesthesia.
Additionally, we offer a more comprehensive blood test, known as the Total Health Profile, for an extra fee. This advanced test provides a thorough evaluation of your pet’s health, helping us identify any potential issues before surgery. The detailed information from this test is crucial in guiding our treatment decisions and ensuring the best care for your pet. All tests are conducted using our state-of-the-art, in-house pathology equipment, allowing us to closely monitor your pet’s organ function and enhance their safety during the surgical procedure.
A catheter will be inserted into your pet’s forearm to provide intravenous access for administering medications, fluid therapy, and emergency care if necessary. Pain relief and antibiotics will be prescribed as needed.
Intravenous fluids are used to support your pet’s blood pressure and kidney function throughout the procedure, prevent dehydration, and promote a smoother recovery.
Surgery
During the procedure, your pet will be intubated with an endotracheal tube placed in their windpipe. This allows us to maintain proper oxygen levels and administer the anesthetic agent.
Throughout the anesthesia, a veterinary nurse will closely monitor your pet’s oxygen levels, carbon dioxide levels, respiratory rate, heart rate, temperature, mucous membranes, capillary refill time, and blood pressure, ensuring comprehensive care and safety.
After surgery, your pet will be moved to our recovery area where they will be closely monitored by our surgical nurse until they are fully awake.
An additional pain relief injection will be administered to ensure your pet remains comfortable for up to 24 hours.
Our hospital wards are equipped with calming pheromone diffusers to provide a soothing environment for all dogs and cats.
Throughout their stay, our veterinary nurses will continuously monitor your pet, attend to their needs, and take dogs for walks (cats will remain in their cozy recovery area) until it’s time for them to go home.
After surgery, your pet will be taken to the hospital to recover from anaesthetic with the surgical nurse, they will be closely monitored until they are awake.
Your pet will be given an additional pain relief injection that will help with pain relief for a further 24 hours.
We have calming pheromone diffusers running in our hospital wards. This provides comfort and security to all dogs and cats.
Our veterinary nurses will continue to keep an eye on them throughout their stay and take them for walks (dogs only!) and will attend to their needs until it is home time.
When you arrive to collect your pet, please present to reception to arrange payment of the outstanding amount. Belmont Vet Centre require payments in full upon completion of treatment.
We accept Eftpos, Cash and VetPay.
Visit www.vetpay.com.au for more information about VetPay, fortnightly payment plans are available if you are interested.
We also accept Trupanion Pet Insurance which can approve and pay claims directly to us within 5 minutes, meaning you can pay the gap only. Find out more here.
Post Surgery Review
Often post-operative appointments will be booked at the time of discharge for your pet, this allows us to check in on your pet’s recovery. Generally, in about 10-14 days (depending on the procedure). This appointment is a complimentary post-op check with a nurse.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us on (08) 9314 7444
Thank you for choosing us to be a part of your pet’s comprehensive health care.
