Prioritizing your pet’s safety, comfort, and swift recovery before, during, and after surgery.
When a veterinarian tells you your dog or cat needs surgery, the news can feel overwhelming even if the procedure is routine. Between researching recovery timelines, worrying about anesthesia, and wondering whether the facility has the right experience, pet parents in Oakland Park often search for reassurance as much as information.
That reassurance is exactly what we aim to provide. Our team has spent four decades caring for pets throughout Oakland Park and the surrounding Wilton Manors and Fort Lauderdale communities, and we treat every surgical patient the way we would want our own pet treated. We are owner-operated, not corporate, which means the same doctors who get to know your pet at wellness visits often oversee surgical care and recovery.
We provide a range of surgical services designed to address both routine and more complex medical needs. Our surgical calendar is structured to allow the necessary time for proper evaluation, so every procedure begins with an appointment, a physical exam, and a written estimate before anything is scheduled.
Common procedures we perform include the following:
We schedule each procedure only after a full pre-surgical evaluation, which lets us identify underlying health concerns before your pet goes under anesthesia. This process helps us build a surgical plan around your pet’s specific needs, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Safety starts well before the procedure. Every surgical patient receives pre-anesthetic bloodwork and a physical exam so we can confirm stable organ function and catch any concerns that might affect anesthesia. If we notice anything unusual, we may recommend additional testing or a short delay so we can address the issue first.
During the procedure itself, our team closely monitors your pet’s vital signs, including heart rate, oxygen levels, and body temperature, so we can respond quickly if anything changes.
Veterinary anesthesia monitoring has advanced significantly in recent years. The American Veterinary Medical Association recently issued updated recommendations covering cardiovascular function, oxygenation, body temperature, and anesthetic depth monitoring in dogs and cats, reflecting how much this area of veterinary medicine continues to improve. We stay current with these evolving standards so your pet receives care that reflects the best available practices, not outdated protocols.
Before surgery, we review your pet’s medical history, current medications, and specific health needs to create a clear surgical plan. This helps our team anticipate potential concerns and provide appropriate care throughout the procedure.
Recovery looks different depending on the procedure, but our goal is always the same: getting your pet back to feeling like themselves as quickly and comfortably as possible. Before you leave with your pet, our team walks you through pain management, activity restrictions, and any signs that would warrant a follow-up call.
We understand that watching a pet recover from surgery can be stressful, especially if this is your first veterinary procedure. That is why we make ourselves available for questions during the recovery period rather than sending you home with a printed sheet and nothing else. Our long-standing relationships with local families, some of whom have brought us multiple generations of pets, are built on this kind of ongoing support.
Dr. Spencer Ratnoff has practiced veterinary medicine for more than 40 years, and that experience shapes how our entire team approaches surgical care. We listen closely to pet owners, explain what we see clearly, and avoid unnecessary procedures that wouldn’t genuinely benefit your pet’s long-term health.
We also help pet parents with the financial side of surgical care. Through financing partners like CareCredit and Cherry, along with our Stay Well wellness plan for puppies and kittens, we try to make sure cost is never the reason a pet goes without needed care. Many practices in this area operate under corporate ownership, which can mean less consistency and less personalized attention. As an owner-operated hospital since 1987, we have built our reputation on being available, transparent, and genuinely invested in the pets we treat.
Choosing a surgical provider for your pet is a decision that deserves careful thought, and we want Oakland Park pet owners to feel confident in that choice. From pre-surgical bloodwork through post-operative recovery support, our team is structured around thorough evaluation, transparent communication, and four decades of hands-on veterinary experience rather than rushed appointments or generic protocols.
If your pet needs surgery, or if you want a second opinion before moving forward, we encourage you to reach out and talk with our team about what to expect. We will walk you through scheduling a consultation so we can give your pet the individualized care they deserve.
Schedule a visit with our compassionate team and let’s partner in your pet’s lifelong well-being.
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