SMALL ANIMAL SURGERY

Overview

We are different from a private veterinary specialty practice. Teaching veterinary students, veterinary interns and surgical residents is one of our primary tasks, so it is essential that they be involved diagnosing and treating your pet under the direct guidance of an ACVS-boarded veterinary surgeon. 

Consequently, an appointment at the LSU VTH will probably be more time consuming than one with your local veterinarian. You should be prepared to spend at least 90 minutes at the LSU VTH after your appointment begins, and if extensive testing is required, it may be necessary to leave your pet for a full day with us. 

Your Consultation

• If possible, any information regarding previous radiographs, lab test results, and medical history should be brought to the initial consultation. Also bring any medication that your pet is taking. We will use this information in combination with a thorough examination of your pet in order to make our initial evaluation.

• A senior veterinary student will obtain the initial medical history. The student will then have you return to the waiting room while your pet is taken into the hospital and examined by the surgical team. Once your pet has been examined, the student and at least one clinician will meet with you to discuss the options for diagnosis and treatment. If further diagnostic or surgical procedures are recommended and you wish to proceed, you will be given an estimate of the costs and the length of hospital stay.

• In general, simple radiographs can be performed within a few hours on an outpatient basis. The pet is usually sedated to allow for more accurate radiographic positioning, and will decrease potential anxiety or discomfort. In order to safely sedate your pet, it should not eat after 10:00 p.m. the night prior to the appointment, but drinking water is okay. If your pet is sick or very young (less than 3 months old) please check with our service prior to the appointment as to whether fasting is recommended.

Hospitalization

• If your pet’s problem requires more extensive diagnostic procedures or surgery, it will normally be admitted as an inpatient for these procedures.
• Surgery is not usually performed on the same day as the appointment, unless it is an emergency.
• Animals that are medically unstable or painful will be admitted to the intensive care unit, where they will receive 24-hour care by certified veterinary technicians.
• While under anesthesia for surgery, your pet is monitored constantly by a veterinary student and anesthesia technician, under the guidance of veterinary anesthetists.
• After surgery, the surgery student will sit with your pet until it has completely recovered from the anesthesia.
• Most pets will be kept on some type of pain medication for several days after surgery.
• Most pets are monitored in the hospital for at least one night after surgery, possibly more, depending on the intensity of the postoperative care required.
• During the hospital stay, you will be given daily telephone updates regarding the status of your pet.
• You may also arrange to visit your pet while it is hospitalized.
• When your pet is ready to go home we will arrange a time that is as convenient as possible. Weekend or evening discharge times can be arranged.
• At the time of discharge, you will be given a written summary of the tests and procedures performed. In addition, the home care and follow-up recommendations will be discussed with you.

Faculty

Interns and Residents

Veterinary Technicians

Torri Collins-Cannon, RVT

Corinne McFerren

Alice Perkins

Julia Perkins, RVT

Service Coordinator

To request a referral, please call our service coordinator.

Shelby Panepinto

225-578-5109

panepinto1@lsu.edu