Surgery is one of the riskiest things we do, and how a clinic handles it tells you a lot about the standard of care across the rest of their practice. At Ramtown Animal Hospital, every surgical patient gets pre surgical bloodwork, dedicated anesthetic monitoring, IV fluids, multimodal pain control, and a recovery plan that we walk you through in plain language before you leave.
Procedures We Perform
Dr. Demian handles the surgeries most pets ever need at our hospital. For specialized orthopedic, neurological, or oncological surgery, we refer to board certified veterinary surgeons we know and trust.
- Spay and neuter - for dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small mammals
- Mass and tumor removals - with histopathology to confirm what we removed
- Soft tissue surgery - including wound repair, hernia correction, and cystotomy (bladder stones)
- Foreign body removal - when pets eat things they shouldn't
- Laceration repair and abscess treatment - for skin injuries and infections
- Dental extractions - during cleanings when teeth can't be saved (see our dental care page for the full procedure)
- Biopsies - of suspicious lumps or skin lesions
Bloodwork Before Surgery
We require bloodwork before every anesthetic procedure, even in young healthy pets. It's not upselling; it's how we catch the rare patient with a hidden clotting disorder, kidney issue, or liver problem that would make anesthesia dangerous. The cost is minor compared to the safety margin it buys.
Anesthesia & Monitoring
Modern veterinary anesthesia is safer than it's ever been when it's done right. Every surgical patient at Ramtown gets:
- An anesthetic protocol tailored to the patient - we use different drugs for a senior cat than a young dog
- IV catheter and fluids - throughout the procedure to maintain blood pressure
- Continuous monitoring - of heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, body temperature, and CO2 levels
- Active warming - on a warmed surgical table because anesthetized patients lose body heat fast
- A dedicated team member - watching the monitors so Dr. Demian can focus on the surgery
Why pre surgical bloodwork matters: We've sent more than one young, apparently healthy pet home from pre surgical bloodwork because we found a clotting disorder, kidney issue, or liver value that would have made anesthesia dangerous. Those pets went on to have safe procedures once we addressed the underlying issue first. The bloodwork is the safety net, not an upsell.
Pain Management
We use multimodal pain management, combining NSAIDs and opioids when needed, so your pet wakes up comfortable and stays comfortable through recovery. You'll go home with a written plan for at home pain control, and the clinic number to call if anything seems off.
What to Expect on Surgery Day
The Night Before
Most pets need to fast from both food and water after midnight the night before surgery. We'll send detailed instructions specific to your pet's procedure.
Drop-Off
Plan to drop off in the morning. We'll review the procedure, get consent signatures, and answer any last minute questions before you leave.
During Surgery
We'll call you when your pet is out of surgery and waking up safely so you're not left wondering. If you have questions during the day, the clinic line is the best way to reach us.
Pick-Up
Most pets go home the same evening. We'll spend time with you reviewing home care, medications, the recovery timeline, and when to call us. You'll leave with written instructions, not just verbal ones.
Follow-Up
We schedule a recheck 10-14 days after surgery for suture removal and to confirm everything's healing well.
