Veterinary Surgery

At Animal Medical Center of Chicago we do not treat each patient alike. Every drug and procedure is customized to your pet’s specific medical needs. Each drug is selected based on your pet’s breed, sensitivity and our experience. Although the drugs are initially calculated based on weight and general health, they are delivered to your pet based on his/her response to them.

Ovariohysterectomy

Ovariohysterectomy (commonly called a spay) is the surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries. This procedure includes the following steps for both dogs and cats:

  1. The procedure begins with a pre-surgical examination performed by a certified veterinary technician.
  2. A pre-anesthetic blood panel is run on each of our patients to make sure that there are no underlying health issues that would preclude us from safely performing this procedure.
  3. An IV catheter is placed in your pet’s forearm and fluids are run to make sure she is well hydrated during her hospital stay. Pain and anti-inflammatory medications are given in advance to minimize your pet’s postoperative discomfort.
  4. An injectable sedative is given to comfortably and safely allow your pet to be intubated with a tracheal tube and attached to our anesthetic machine and ventilator.
  5. Your pet is maintained on gas anesthesia and ventilator while the veterinarian performs the surgery to ensure that she receives the proper amount of anesthesia and oxygen during her surgery.
  6. During your pet’s procedure, a veterinary technician and a surgical assistant monitor the oxygen saturation level, carbon dioxide levels, blood pressure, EKG and body temperature to ensure she/he has a safe anesthetic procedure.
  7. Just prior to recovery from the surgery, the pet is given additional pain medication to make her recovery as comfortable as possible.
  8. Your pet will be discharged later that day with detailed post-operative instructions that include guidelines to feeding, pain medication and exercise restrictions.

Castration

Castration (commonly called a neuter) is the surgical removal of the testicles and spermatic cord. This procedure includes the following steps in dogs:

  1. The procedure begins with a pre-surgical examination performed by a certified veterinary technician.
  2. A pre-anesthetic blood panel is run on each of our patients to make sure that there are no underlying health issues that would preclude us from safely performing this procedure.
  3. An IV catheter is placed in your pet’s forearm and fluids are run to make sure he is well hydrated during his hospital stay.
  4. Pain and anti-inflammatory medications are given in advance to minimize your pet’s postoperative discomfort.
  5. An injectable sedative is given to comfortably and safely allow your pet to be intubated with a tracheal tube and attached to our anesthetic machine and ventilator.
  6. Your pet is maintained on gas anesthesia and ventilator while the veterinarian performs the surgery to ensure that he receives the proper amount of anesthesia and oxygen during her surgery.
  7. During your pet’s procedure, a veterinary technician and a surgical assistant monitor the oxygen saturation level, carbon dioxide levels, blood pressure, EKG and body temperature to ensure she/he has a safe anesthetic procedure.
  8. Just prior to recovery from the surgery, the pet is given additional pain medication to make her recovery as comfortable as possible.
  9. Your pet will be discharged later that day with detailed post-operative instructions that include guidelines to feeding, pain medication and exercise restrictions.

In cats, this procedure is performed as follows:

1. The procedure begins with a pre-surgical examination performed by a certified veterinary technician.

2. A pre-anesthetic blood panel is run on each of our patients to make sure that there are no underlying health issues that would preclude us from safely performing this procedure.

3. An IV catheter is placed in your pet’s forearm and fluids are run to make sure he is well hydrated during his hospital stay.

4. Pain and anti-inflammatory medications are given in advance to minimize your pet’s postoperative discomfort.

5. An injectable sedative is given to relax your pet.

6. An injectable anesthetic agent, is administered intravenously while the surgical procedure is performed.

7. Your pet’s heart rate, blood pressure and temperature are monitored during this procedure.

8. After complete anesthetic recovery your pet will be discharged later in the evening with detailed instructions regarding litter material, feeding and restrictions.