Veterinary Surgery in Prior Lake, MN
Advanced surgical care with safety, precision, and compassion.
Our Approach to Surgery: Safety and Comfort at Every Step
At River Valley Veterinary Service, we believe that excellent surgical care begins long before the procedure itself. Every pet’s surgery is handled with a personalized plan that emphasizes comfort, safety, and recovery.
Pre-Surgery Care
Before any surgery, our team conducts a full physical examination and pre-anesthetic bloodwork to assess your pet’s health and minimize risk. We tailor anesthetic protocols based on your pet’s age, breed, and medical history, ensuring safe and effective sedation. We’ll review the procedure, answer your questions, and discuss any pre-surgical fasting or medication instructions to prepare your pet for a smooth experience.
Post-Surgery Recovery
After surgery, your pet is carefully monitored as they recover from anesthesia in a warm, calm environment. Our team provides detailed home-care instructions, pain medications, and follow-up schedules to support healing. We’re here to answer questions and ensure your pet’s recovery is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Surgery Day
During the procedure, your pet is continuously monitored by a trained technician using advanced equipment to track heart rate, oxygen levels, blood pressure, and temperature. Our veterinarians perform every operation with precision and attention to detail, prioritizing both effectiveness and comfort. Pain management begins before the first incision and continues throughout the process to keep your pet comfortable.
Soft Tissue Surgery
Our soft tissue surgery services cover a wide range of internal and external procedures unrelated to bones or joints. These surgeries are often necessary to treat illness, remove growths, or correct congenital issues.
Common soft tissue surgeries include:
- Spay and neuter procedures for population control and disease prevention
- Mass or tumor removals (biopsy and histopathology available)
- Gastropexy (stomach tacking) to prevent life-threatening gastric torsion (bloat) in large-breed dogs
- Bladder stone removal (cystotomy)
- Foreign body removal (from stomach or intestines)
- Exploratory abdominal surgery for diagnostic or emergency cases
- Endoscopy and rhinoscopy for minimally invasive internal examination and treatment
Soft tissue procedures often improve comfort, prevent disease, and extend a pet’s overall health and well-being.
Orthopedic Surgery
Our team performs orthopedic procedures such as:
- Cruciate ligament repair (ACL tears)
- Fracture repair
- Joint stabilization surgeries
- Patellar luxation repair (dislocating kneecaps)
We take every precaution to minimize pain and promote proper healing, with customized pain control plans and post-operative rehabilitation recommendations to help your pet regain strength and mobility.
Endoscopy and Rhinoscopy: Minimally Invasive Solutions
For certain internal conditions, endoscopy and rhinoscopy provide a less invasive way to diagnose and treat problems inside the body. Using a small camera and specialized tools, our veterinarians can examine the gastrointestinal tract, nasal passages, or airways without the need for large incisions.
These procedures reduce recovery time, minimize discomfort, and allow for faster diagnosis of conditions such as chronic vomiting, nasal discharge, or foreign bodies.
Gastropexy: Preventing a Life-Threatening Emergency
For large or deep-chested dogs, a prophylactic gastropexy can be a lifesaving preventive measure. This surgery attaches the stomach to the abdominal wall to prevent gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), commonly known as bloat a condition that can be fatal without immediate surgical intervention.
Often performed alongside a spay or neuter, gastropexy greatly reduces the risk of GDV and offers peace of mind for owners of at-risk breeds.
Skilled Surgical Care with Compassion and Precision
At River Valley Veterinary Service, every procedure is approached with the utmost care, attention, and respect for your pet’s safety and comfort. Our veterinarians bring years of experience in pet surgery, combining advanced technology with individualized care plans to achieve the best outcomes possible. By prioritizing precision, pain management, and clear communication, we’re proud to be a trusted resource for families throughout the greater Prior Lake area who seek expert surgical care and compassionate recovery support for their dogs and cats.
Comprehensive Services
Puppy & Kitten Care
Wellness Care
Senior Pet Care
Urgent Pet Care
Dentistry
Diagnostics
Regenerative Therapy
Surgery
Boarding
Grooming
Daycare
End-Of-Life Care