Veterinary Surgery

Surgical Procedures

At Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital, we perform medical and emergency surgeries to help treat disease and conditions in pets or to repair injuries sustained through trauma.

Our Capitola vets routinely perform the following elective and non-elective surgeries:

• Soft Tissue Surgery

  For pets suffering from ear, nose, and throat disorders, we offer soft tissue surgical procedures.

  These procedures are also available for hepatic, urogenital, oncological, cardiothoracic, gastrointestinal, and skin disorders. 

• Spaying & Neutering

  When we spay or neuter a cat or dog, we surgically sterilize them to prevent unwanted births, disease and provide them with an extended life expectancy. 

• C-Sections

  During Caesarean sections, we surgically remove puppies or kittens from their mother's uterus.

  C-sections are typically only performed when the mother is unable to safely give birth naturally. 

• Mass Removal

  Cats and dogs can develop masses in their skin. Masses can also grow inside a body cavity and can be serious or life-threatening.

  Mass removal surgery is a fairly common procedure for both cats and dogs.

• Foreign Body

  Sometimes, foreign objects are ingested or can get stuck inside a cat's or dog's body.

  Whether your pet has eaten an object they shouldn't have or an accident has left them injured, we can remove it with surgery.

  In some cases, specialized skills or equipment are needed to perform pet surgery. If that is the case for your animal, your vet will refer you to a cat or dog surgeon near Capitola and work closely with your veterinary surgeon to ensure that your dog or cat receives the very best care.

• Wounds

  Wounds occur when living tissue has been cut, broken, burnt, torn, or otherwise damaged.

  It's imperative that these wounds be cleaned, disinfected, and appropriately cared for by a qualified veterinarian as soon as possible. 

• Foxtail Removal

  Foxtails are plants that are sharp like arrows and can become lodged in your pet's body and even travel through the body. This is a huge hazard for Capitola pets as these foxtails can dig their way in but won't come back out.

  At Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital, we are able to offer foreign body surgery specifically to remove foxtails from your pet's body. 

• Dental Surgery

  Our veterinarians provide dental surgeries for dogs and cats. These surgeries can range from tooth extractions to gum disease treatment and jaw fracture repairs.

The Pet Surgery Process

We understand that the thought of bringing your pet in for surgery can be daunting. Please be assured that we recommend surgery only when it is in the best interests of your furry companion. 

We will ensure that you fully understand why we are recommending surgery and that you are comfortable making the decision to move ahead.

If advanced care is required for your cat or dog's health issue, our vets will refer you to a veterinary specialist near Capitola. We will work closely with your vet surgeon to ensure that your pet receives the best possible care. 

Surgical protocols at our clinic include:

Pre-surgical assessments. We will confirm the specifics of the procedure, complete a physical examination of the patient, and make sure blood tests have been completed and reviewed by the vet in order to determine if your pet faces any risk of anesthesia-related complications.

Dedicated surgical suites. Surgeries are performed in a dedicated surgical suite. This room is kept completely sterile to prevent infection and cross-contamination.

Surgical attire. Our staff wears disposable caps and masks at all times when they are in the surgical suite. Those involved in the procedure itself will also wear sterile gowns and single-use gloves.

Sterile packs and equipment. We carefully clean, sterilize and wrap our surgical instruments and equipment prior to every surgery.