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Our surgical specialists offer perform orthopedic surgery for referral patients or as emergency treatment.

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Surgical Service, Plains Vet

Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic surgery for pets involves procedures that focus on the joints, skeletal system and their associated soft tissues. Our advanced imaging and diagnostic tools, allow us to provide accurate and effective orthopedic diagnosis.

If your pet needs orthopedic treatment, ask your primary care veterinarian for a referral to Northeast Veterinary Referral Hospital. If your pet is experiencing an orthopedic emergency visit our emergency department for immediate care.

Common Orthopedic Surgical Procedures

  • Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) Repair
  • Bone Pinning, Plating, and Kurschner Apparatus Repair
  • Shoulder and Elbow Abnormality Corrections
  • Luxating Patellar Repair

Orthopedic Surgery: What to Expect

Veterinary orthopedic surgical procedures are typically more labor-intensive than soft-tissue procedures. This translates into a longer recovery time for the patient as compared to soft-tissue surgery recovery.

Prior to your pet's surgical procedure, you'll have a consultation with our orthopedic surgeon. During your consultation our orthopedic veterinarian will explain the recommended treatment and answer your questions about the upcoming surgery.

Orthopedic Surgery FAQs

  • What happens during the surgical consultation?

    During the surgical consultation, we will complete a physical exam and review your pet’s medical history. Blood work and any other diagnostic tests that are needed to determine the nature of your pet's condition will also be started at this time.

    Diagnostics may include x-rays, an ultrasound, or biopsies. Once the results are back, we will create a surgery plan and discuss it with you. 

  • Will the surgery take place on the same day as the consultation?

    No. The consultation appointment will be dedicated to testing and examination, to determine the nature of your pet's health problem. Once any diagnostic test results have come back from our lab, a surgery appointment can be scheduled.

  • How long will the surgery take?

    Orthopedic surgeries typically take between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the type of surgery being performed and on your pet’s specific condition.

  • Does my pet have to stay overnight before or after the surgery?

    Depending on the time of day that the surgery is scheduled, you may need to drop your pet off the night before.

    We also perform physical therapy while they are here in the hospital. Depending on the type of surgery that is performed and how quickly they recover from anesthesia and surgery, your pet may be able to go home sooner than that.

Surgical Service, Plains Vet

From Happy Pet Owners

  • What a wonderful alternative when something happens to your babies outside normal vet hours. They treated us and my kitty like family. Explained everything and fixed him right up. He’s not enjoying the cone, but his stitches look great. Thank you to the whole team!

    Kelly C.

Contact (570) 208-8844