Specialty Surgery

Neurosurgery

Our surgeons are experienced with a variety of neurosurgical procedures including disc prolapses, wobblers disease, lumbo-sacral disease and brain tumor removal. The combination of myelography and computerized tomography (CT) allow our doctors to diagnose a wide range of neurological disease. In some cases an MRI is the preferred imaging modality and your surgeon may recommend a referral to another specialty center for this imaging.

Pain Management

Surgery on the spine and central nervous system is delicate and we are often working near nerve roots which can become irritated and more painful. Both “preemptive” (medication given to prevent pain before your pet wakes up from anesthesia and experiences pain) and “multimodal” (using different types of pain control at the same time to block the pain pathways at different points in their journey, which makes pain control more effective) pain management is used, and may include some other medications that specifically aim at blocking pain transmission in nerve roots. Pain medication is adjusted to the individual patient.

Intensive Care Unit – 24/7

Alta Vista Animal Hospital is a 24 hour care facility with a veterinarian and support staff on the premises night and day. Many neurosurgical patients require careful and sometimes intense postoperative nursing care to ensure a full and speedy recovery. If a pet is unable to stand up, they require plenty of soft bedding and frequent turning to prevent pressure sores. Bladder management and physical therapy are also necessary to maintain muscle strength and joint movement during neurologic recovery.

The staff in our intensive care unit is trained to provide the appropriate nursing requirements until your pet is able to go home. The return of bladder control is often the factor that has the greatest bearing on when your pet can go home. Physical therapy and nursing care may need to be continued at home until coordination and strength has returned. We will ensure that you are trained and comfortable with any necessary techniques before you take your pet home.