Archives: Services

Laparoscopic Surgery

OVERVIEW

At VRC, we’re passionate about being able to offer your pets the latest advances in surgical techniques and the most up-to-date technology. Whenever we can, VRC’s surgeons choose minimally invasive procedures, such as laparoscopy, to get to the bottom of what’s ailing your dog or cat. Laparoscopy is an increasingly common diagnostic procedure where your veterinarian will make a small incision in order to inspect the abdominal cavity of your animal using a tiny fiber optic camera. Those pictures can be transmitted to a screen and magnified in order to see what’s really wrong. Sometimes a laparoscopic procedure may even be used to complete a surgery. The minimally invasive nature of the technique reduces the amount of trauma to your pet’s surrounding tissues and organs. It also means we can often perform this procedure on an outpatient basis or with a simple overnight stay for observation. It also reduces the amount of pain, recovery time, and risk of infection your pet will experience, as well as limiting their scarring and increasing their mobility. Faster healing and reduced pain and recovery time also mean we can prescribe your dog or cat fewer pain medications.

Laparoscopic Surgery

Our surgeons utilize state-of-the-art equipment to investigate and treat abdominal diseases in your pet such as:

• Bladder surgeries
• Cholecystectomy
• Gastropexy
• Intestinal biopsies
• Liver biopsies
• Spaying female animals
• and more…

Please contact us for more details and to find out how laparoscopic surgery may benefit your pet.

Overview

VRC’s team of veterinary specialists have performed thousands of procedures and offer a multitude of advanced services to enhance or save the life of your pet. We collaborate closely with your family veterinarian to provide a timely and accurate diagnosis as well as recommendations for the best treatment options for your pet.

To view a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding surgery at VRC, click HERE.

ULTRASOUND

WHAT IS AN ULTRASOUND AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Ultrasound uses sound waves at an extremely high frequency to visualize internal structures without radiation. These images are also able to show internal movement in real time, including blood flow through vessels and organs along with digestion. Ultrasound is often essential in the diagnosis of internal conditions like pancreatitis or symptoms like abdominal pain. It is also used to guide needle sampling procedures, which are performed to assist in the diagnosis of certain diseases like cancer.

WHEN MIGHT MY PET NEED AN ULTRASOUND?
Pets that are stable and in need of internal imaging are ideal candidates for outpatient ultrasound. Some of the common reasons for outpatient ultrasound include:

• Pets with an internal mass (known or suspected)
• Pets that are pregnant
• Cancer screenings
• Pets with elevated liver enzymes
• Pets with recent blood work changes
• Pets experiencing symptoms of gastrointestinal disease
• Pets experiencing symptoms of liver disease
• Pets experiencing symptoms of kidney disease

WHEN MIGHT MY PET NEED AN EMERGENCY ULTRASOUND
If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, an emergency ultrasound may be needed to make a fast, accurate diagnosis when seconds count. From detecting foreign bodies to cardiac issues, emergency ultrasound is a standard for human hospitals, which is why we offer it 7 days a week to our patients.  Experienced emergency veterinarians, including a board-certified critical care specialist are prepared to utilize this essential tool to diagnose disease and save lives in our ICU.

VRC offers on-site endoscopy (flexible and rigid) for pets, which is performed in our dedicated suites by experienced specialists with the expertise to safely examine and evaluate the internal tissues of the esophagus, stomach, nose, ears, bladder, colon, and lungs. While patients do require general anesthesia, endoscopy is considered a minimally invasive procedure and can often be performed on an outpatient basis.