Soft tissue surgery is a very broad category involving head and neck surgery, cardiovascular (heart), pulmonary (lung), gastrointestinal (stomach, intestine, liver, pancreas), and urogenital (kidneys and bladder) surgery. The doctors at AVCG have acquired experience with many advanced surgical procedures. We use the highest standards of care and equipment to achieve favorable outcomes for the surgical patient.

Pre-Operative Safety

Safety for all anesthetic and surgical patients is of primary importance to the staff at AVCG. We have instituted the highest standards of pre-operative care to ensure favorable outcomes for all patients. Along with the diagnostic tests performed by your Veterinarian, we always perform specific tests to evaluate the health of your pet prior to anesthetic induction. These include:

  • Digital Thoracic Radiographs (X-rays)
  • Pre-operative ECG with Boarded telemedicine interpretation
  • Venous Blood Gases
  • Coagulation Panel (cPT and cPTT)

Additionally all patients are supported intra-operatively with intravenous fluids appropriate for the pet’s condition.

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Pain Management

Aggressive pre-, peri- and post-operative pain management is standard with all surgical protocols. Your pet may arrive at AVCG with pain medication appropriate for the diagnosis made by your family Veterinarian. AVCG will augment this medication or begin pain management if it has not been started upon arrival at our facility to ensure that your pet is as comfortable as possible during the procedure. Take home medications for on-going pain management will be provided in cases where it is not already in place.

Low Level Laser Therapy (Harmony MLS Laser Therapy)

MLS Laser LLLT is used to increase quality and strength of tissue repair, decrease inflammation and give pain relief. The effects are photochemical, not thermal and happen at the cellular level. Benefits include faster wound healing, increased vascular activity, stimulated nerve function, reduction of scar formation, and decreased inflammation.

How does laser therapy work? Click here for more information.

Patient Warming

Hot Dog® Warming System: AVCG uses an advanced heating system to maintain patient temperature during surgical and anesthetic procedures. The Hot Dog patient warming system uses Flatline™ Warming providing constant, uninterrupted normothermia.

With Flatline Warming, the vulnerable surgical patient never suffers from hypothermia, not even for a minute. This significantly reduces the risks of surgical site infections, excess blood loss, recovery time, and mortality.

The only way for patient temperature not to fluctuate is by using Hot Dog. Warming patients beginning in the preoperative setting and continuing through surgery and into post-op virtually guarantees that a patient will remain normothermic for the entire duration of their stay.

Because Hot Dog is a closed air system, there are no risks of blowing air-borne contaminants around the operating theater or surgical site.