Harbor Animal Hospital is now permanently closed. For continued care, we recommend Gray Animal Hospital.
Expert Surgical Care to Support Your Pet’s Health
Few veterinary clinics offer the wide range of surgical services available at Harbor Animal Hospital. We’re deeply experienced in nearly every surgical procedure that your pet may encounter, from the routine to the advanced and lifesaving.
General & Advanced Surgery
We perform general and advanced surgical procedures with safety in mind and heart. Our skilled veterinarians meticulously follow rigid surgical protocols so your pet is as safe and comfortable as possible with successful clinical outcomes.
To maximize the safety and comfort of your pet, we perform procedures using advanced pain management techniques that minimize the amount of anesthesia required during surgery. It is also required for all pets to have bloodwork performed, or have recent bloodwork results on file, to ensure they can handle the effects of anesthesia.
Spay/Neuter Procedure
Spay/Neuter Procedure promotes optimal health and good behavior, which is why it’s recommended for all pets under our care. This routine procedure is recommended at about six months of age, but no two animals are exactly alike. Timing is dependent on factors like breed, health condition, and lifestyle.
Spay/neuter procedure benefits your pet, but did you know it also benefits you and your family? Pets that are not driven by sexual behaviors are more loyal and affectionate companions. Longevity is also increased, which means you’ll have your companion by your side for as many years as possible.
Benefits of Spaying Female Pets:
- Prevents unwanted litters
- Prevents messy heat cycles
- Prevents uterine and mammary issues, like cancer, pyometra, and infection
- Prevents the urge to roam
- Prevents aggressive behaviors
- Increases longevity
- Increases affection and loyalty towards humans
Benefits of Neutering Male Pets:
- Prevents aggressive behaviors
- Prevents testicular cancer and enlarged prostate
- Prevents the urge to roam
- Increases longevity
- Increases affection and loyalty towards humans
Soft Tissue Surgery
Soft-Tissue Surgery encompasses any procedure that does not involve joints or bones. This includes procedures such as spay/neuter procedure, trauma and laceration repair, bladder stone removal, mass removal, and more.
Oral Surgery
Oral Surgery is typically needed if a professional dental cleaning is not sufficient in relieving a pet of pain and discomfort caused by extreme dental disease. It may also be necessary for trauma repair. Oral surgeries offered at Harbor include difficult extractions, jaw fracture management, palate defects, oral tumor removal, dislocated teeth, and more.
Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery is performed to remedy painful joint, bone, and spine conditions. Orthopedic surgeries offered at Harbor include ACL tears, bone fractures and dislocations, patella luxation, and cruciate ligament tears.
Surgical Oncology
Surgical Oncology is a comprehensive treatment for cancer patients. It prevents cancer from spreading to other areas of the body and improves overall quality of life.
Foreign Body Removal
Foreign Body Removal is performed if a pet ingests a foreign object. In some cases, depending on what the pet has consumed, the object can pass safely through the GI tract. On the other hand, some ingested objects cannot pass safely, which is extremely dangerous and life-threatening. If you know or suspect that your pet has ingested a foreign object, we urge you to let us know right away. It could save your pet’s life!
Cystotomy Procedure
Cystotomy Procedure is a common urinary procedure that removes bladder stones.
Stenotic Nares Repairs
Stenotic Nares Repairs surgically treats a malformation of cartilage in the nose that causes the nostrils to become pinched or narrow, which causes noisy breathing, difficulty exercising, and fainting. Stenotic Nares is a common genetic disorder in short-nosed breeds, like the Pug, Boxer, and English Bulldog.
Cherry Eye Repairs
Cherry Eye Repairs treat defects of the third eyelid, which is typically presented as a bulbous, red protrusion. The third eyelid protects the eyes from debris and other foreign objects, and has two glands that supplies the eyes with tears and moisture. It is important to treat Cherry Eye right away to prevent serious long-term ocular conditions. Cherry eye effects dogs and cats, and is most common in pets two years old or younger.
Pain Management
Like humans, pets feel pain as a result of infections, illnesses, injuries, dental disease, arthritis, cancer, and bone disease. Pets also feel some levels of pain and discomfort after surgery.
The difference in pain management between pets and humans is that pets cannot let us know when and where they are hurting. Our medical team has years of experience recognizing even the subtlest signs of pain in our patients. This has helped us to maximize the comfort, wellbeing, and full recovery of countless patients.
Pain affects not only physical functioning, but can also have a negative impact on a pet’s mental health and overall wellbeing. To treat the whole patient, pain management is a primary consideration for all pets being treated at Harbor Animal Hospital.
As your pet’s caretaker, it’s important to recognize signs of pain in your pet at home. If you notice any of the following signs in your pet, let us know right away:
- Increased vocalization
- Lethargy
- Restlessness
- Lapses in housetraining
- Changes in appetite or sleeping patterns
- Resistance to being handled or touched
- Less frequent grooming
- Being more or less affectionate than usual
- Constant licking or chewing a particular area of the body
- Aggression, especially a previously friendly pet
- Flattened ears, enlarged pupils, and vacant stares
