Cat Surgery

At our hospitals, our primary concern is for the health and well being of your cat. There may arise a circumstance when a surgical procedure is in the best interest of your cat, and in these times you will need to make that decision. We understand what that feels like, and our veterinarians and staff are here for you too.

As An AAHA Accredited Practice We Follow The Highest Standards Of Surgical Care

At our hospitals, we are committed to the highest standards of excellence in veterinary medicine. This commitment to excellent care is why we are an American Animal Hospital Association Accredited veterinary clinic. This accreditation is awarded to only the top 12% of veterinary hospitals in the nation. Surgical protocols at AAHA-accredited clinics include:

  • Pre-surgical assessments. Prior to surgery, the veterinary team verifies the specifics of the procedure; completes a physical examination of the patient; and ensures blood tests have been completed, documented, and reviewed by the veterinarian. Among other things, these precautions help determine if your pet is at risk for complications while under general anesthesia.
  • Dedicated surgical suites. To prevent post-surgical infections and cross-contamination, surgeries are performed in a room used only for sterile surgical procedures.
  • Surgical attire. Staff must wear disposable caps and masks when entering the surgical suite. Anyone involved in the procedure itself must also wear sterile gowns and single-use gloves.
  • Sterile packs and equipment. Surgical instruments are carefully cleaned, sterilized, and wrapped prior to each procedure to help prevent infections.

It is important that you understand what surgical procedure is being recommended and why, how the procedure will be performed, and when it should take place.

There are two categories of cat surgeries, elective and urgent/emergency. The most common cat surgery we perform is sterilization. Since 1983 , the dedicated and compassionate veterinary teams at Northern Oaks Bird & Animal Hospital and Heritage Oaks Animal Hospital have successfully performed spay and neuter procedures on many male and female cats of all breeds and ages. We have also helped educate cat owners throughout TX about spay and neuter procedures. These include when to spay or neuter cats, what to expect during and after surgery, and why cat spaying and neutering is essential to helping control the pet population problem in the state of TX. We strongly believe that responsible cat ownership is synonymous with spay and neuter procedures.

Elective cat surgeries include:

Urgent cat surgeries include:

  • Skin lacerations or abscess
  • Intestinal obstruction from a foreign body
  • Skin cancers
  • Fracture repair

Most Contemporary Cat Surgeries Are Fairly Low Risk

Elective surgeries are performed when your cat is generally considered healthy, thus greatly reducing possible complications. Today, however, even urgent cat surgeries carry significantly lower risks due to improvements in modern medicine and vast improvements in the standards of veterinary care. This includes an extensive list of pre-surgical procedures such as examination, premedication, intravenous fluids, pain control and monitoring of vital signs; as well as protocols during surgery including high-level monitoring equipment of vital signs such as body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, CO2 levels and oxygen levels. Moreover, a knowledgeable anesthesiologist all serve to reduce the risks associated with cat surgeries.

Making The Decision To Proceed With Cat Surgery

The decision to do surgery involves a discussion with the owner about possible complications and all factors to be considered when deciding what is best for your cat. Factors to think about when considering cat surgery include:

  • Age and general health of the cat
  • Potential complications from the surgery
  • Potential outcome if surgery is not performed
  • Recovery time and post-op care required by the owner

While the decision to have your cat undergo surgery is completely in your hands, our team will do our best to make sure you have information to make the best decision. We are here to help you make an informed and compassionate decision that is in the best interest of your cat.

    Cat Anesthesia

    Safe cat anesthesia requires that close attention be paid to the patient before, during, and after the anesthetic. At our hospitals, we treat every cat according to its specific medical and surgical needs. Each anesthesia is tailored to each patient. We adhere to very stringent guidelines for administering cat anesthesia before, during and if necessary, after surgery. These guidelines arise from the American Animal Hospital Association, a veterinary organization that only accredits approximately 12% of all veterinary practices nationwide. For example, the AAHA guidelines require that we first perform blood work to ensure there is not an overt risk of complications from receiving cat anesthesia.

Contact Us to Schedule Surgery For Your Cat

If you need to discuss surgical options or schedule surgery for your cat, reach out to us. Our veterinary staff is highly experienced and are caring cat people who are happy to help ease the stress and fear associated with cat surgery for you and your cat.