Surgical Services for Dogs and Cats in San Carlos
Surgery is the part of veterinary care owners worry about most, and usually the part they know least about. Surgical services in San Carlos cover everything from a routine spay to an abdominal procedure that cannot wait. What matters is not only the procedure itself but everything around it: the bloodwork beforehand, the monitoring during, and the pain management after. We would rather spend ten minutes explaining that than have you sit in the waiting room guessing.
Spay and Neuter in San Carlos
Spay and neuter surgery is the most common procedure we perform, and it is still real surgery deserving real care. Every patient gets pre-anesthetic bloodwork, an intravenous catheter, monitored anesthesia, and pain relief that continues after they go home. Timing varies by breed and size rather than following one rule for every animal, and large breed dogs in particular benefit from a conversation about when to schedule rather than a fixed age. We will talk that through with you before booking.
Soft Tissue Surgery for Dogs and Cats
Soft tissue surgery covers the organs and structures outside the bones and joints. We perform cystotomy for bladder stones, splenectomy, gastrotomy and enterotomy for foreign bodies, and abdominal exploratory surgery when imaging alone cannot answer the question. Eye and ear procedures fall into this category too. These cases often arrive with some urgency, and having laboratory work and imaging on site means we can move from assessment to surgery without sending your pet elsewhere first. That matters most with a foreign body or a bladder obstruction, where the time spent travelling between buildings is time the patient does not have to spare.
Mass and Tumor Removal
Lumps are common in older dogs and cats, and most owners find them at home. Some are harmless, some are not, and the difference is not visible from the outside. We sample first where that is sensible, then remove with appropriate margins and submit tissue for laboratory analysis.
Orthopedic and Referral Surgery in San Carlos
We handle a range of orthopedic and wound repair work in house. For procedures that call for advanced equipment or a board certified surgeon, we refer to our specialist referral partners rather than stretching beyond what general practice should cover. Knowing where that line sits is part of the job. If your dog needs a procedure we do not perform here, we will tell you plainly, arrange the referral, and follow the case through recovery with you. Being honest about that boundary is better for your pet than attempting something at the edge of our capability, and you will always hear the reasoning rather than just the recommendation.
Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Options
Endoscopy lets us look inside the digestive tract and airway, and often retrieve a swallowed object, without opening the abdomen. For the right patient it means a shorter anesthetic episode, less discomfort, and a faster return to normal. It is not the right approach for every case, and we will be straightforward about when open surgery is the better choice for your animal. Endoscopy also lets us take biopsy samples from the stomach and intestine without a full abdominal procedure, which is often the least invasive way to investigate long-running digestive problems in dogs and cats.
Anesthesia Safety and Recovery
Anesthetic safety comes from preparation rather than luck. We run pre-anesthetic bloodwork, place an intravenous catheter, tailor the protocol to the individual patient, and monitor heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen, and temperature throughout. Recovery is supervised until your pet is properly awake. You go home with written instructions, pain relief, and a number to call if anything looks wrong that evening. We would rather answer a question that turns out to be nothing than have you sit at home worrying about an incision. A recheck is scheduled before you leave so we can confirm healing is on track.
FAQs
Is anesthesia safe for my dog or cat?
Anesthesia carries risk for every patient, and preparation is how that risk is reduced. We run pre-anesthetic bloodwork, place an intravenous catheter, tailor the protocol to the individual animal, and monitor vital signs throughout. Your veterinarian will discuss your pet’s specific risk factors before the day.
What age should my dog be spayed or neutered?
It depends on breed, size, and lifestyle rather than a single number. Large breed dogs in particular benefit from an individual conversation about timing. Ask us and we will give you a recommendation for your dog rather than a general rule.
How long does recovery take after surgery?
Most routine procedures involve about ten to fourteen days of restricted activity while the incision heals. Abdominal and orthopedic surgery usually takes longer. We send written instructions home and schedule a recheck to confirm healing is on track.
Do you remove lumps and send them for analysis?
Yes. Where it is sensible we sample a mass first, then remove it with appropriate margins and submit the tissue to a laboratory. Sampling first helps us plan the surgery properly rather than discovering the answer afterward.
What happens if my pet needs a procedure you do not perform?
We refer to our specialist referral partners and stay involved in the case. Knowing the limits of general practice is part of doing this well, and we will always be direct with you about where that line falls.
Surgery planned around your pet
Talk to us before surgery, not after. Call Revive Veterinary Care in San Carlos at (650) 750-0777 to arrange a surgical consultation, and we will walk you through anesthesia, cost, and recovery before anything is scheduled.