The Difference a Skilled Surgeon Can Make: Why Your Pet Deserves the Best – When it comes to the health and welfare of our pets, no detail can be too small. From their diet, exercise, and many other details, pet parents do everything they can to maximize their pet’s quality of life. However, one of the most vital decisions we make is often made amid a crisis! Choosing a competent veterinary surgeon. Whether it is routine spay/neuter, an orthopedic procedure, or anything in between, no one can deny the value of a skilled surgeon.
The Importance of Experience and Technique
Veterinary surgery is a field that needs not only formal education, but also years to develop surgical skills. A skilled surgeon has practiced their craft through countless hours, including recognizing and managing potential complications, rapidly assessing and making decisions while preserving precision, and using incidental techniques and tools to ensure the best outcome. A skilled surgeon may mean the difference between a rapid return to health and a prolonged recovery with complications or in extreme examples, life and death.
There is more at stake than just the procedure when your pet is undergoing surgery. An experienced surgeon understands how differences in anatomy and physiology must be taken into consideration across species and breeds. They can customize their surgical strategies around these differences, maximizing your pet’s surgical success and decreasing his or her potential risks. In contrast, an inexperienced surgeon may not possess to essential judgment and nimbleness when faced with complex or unanticipated circumstances in surgery.
Reducing Pain and Reducing Recovery Time
Another area in which a qualified surgeon excels is in postoperative recovery. Heretofore, we have discussed pain as associated with surgical outcome; we would hope that pain is minimally present in your pet’s recovery! Pain management is a critical part of your pet’s surgery, too. A qualified surgeon will understand multimodal pain control strategies and use them in order to maximize your pet’s comfort level! These pain control strategies could include prescribed medications, regional anesthesia options in combination with medications, and handling your pet’s tissues very gently during surgery.
If there is less trauma during the operation, there is likely to be less recovery time. Your pet is likely to recover better (e.g., returning to normal activity sooner), have fewer follow-ups, and have fewer instances of complications. A qualified surgeon will attempt to use minimally invasive techniques if available during a surgical procedure to minimize incisions, minimize blood loss, and maximize return to normal life for your pet as soon as possible.
High-end Technologies and Active Learning
Veterinary medicine is a changing field. At the top of the game, surgical veterinary care refers to surgical practice that involves the consistent active learning to be on the leading edge of technology! This “leading edge of technology might include laparoscopic and arthroscopic tools, and 3D imaging and lasers -to name just a few.
Competent surgeons also practice continuing education, workshops, and certifications, reinforcing their commitment to excellence and illustrating that they care for their chosen profession as well as those of the lives that they have in their hands. When you choose a competent surgeon, you can rest easy knowing your pet has received the most up-to-date research-supported care.
The Emotional Component
Surgery on a pet is never a purely clinical event. It is emotional for the animal, the pet owner, and the veterinary support staff performing the surgery. A good surgeon can surgically operate, and they have compassion. Good surgeons take the time to clearly explain procedures, give you reasonable prognoses, and support pet owners in stressful decision-making. A good surgeon can give reassurance to owners in the sense that they can have confidence in their pet surgeon’s ability, the respect for the pet owner as someone who loves their pet dearly.
Hopefully, the Surgeon will also exhibit empathy, empathy can make you feel as if your pet is in caring and capable hands. This emotional intelligence is necessary for a surgery to be successful. Odds are that a calm and informed owner will follow pre- and post-operative instructions more closely. Less stress and anxiety from the pet’s human will translate into less stress and anxiety for the pet. A win-win situation, initiated by making a good choice!
Special Cases – Special Hands
Some procedures, such as tumor removals, heart surgeries, and surgery on the spine, can be extremely specialized and require specialized knowledge. And with those exceptional surgeons, often there will be other veterinary specialists (i.e., internists, radiologists, etc.) that work with them as a part of a holistic approach and provide multidisciplinary care. This means that no stone is left unturned when evaluating your pet’s health issues.
Conclusion
Your pet is a member of your family, and when their health is at stake, you’d want to think that they are being treated as such. If you’re going to let someone operate on your pet, you want them to have the same respect and care for your pet’s health as you would for your own or a loved one. The difference a good surgeon can make is substantial, and your pet deserves the best, no matter what the situation is.
FAQs
How can I find out if a veterinary surgeon is competent or qualified?
There are many things to look for. Board certification, years of experience, and consistent performance in the specialty of the surgery your pet requires. You’ll want to check reviews, ask for referrals, and set up a meeting with your surgeon if you can.
Is there any risk even with the best veterinary surgeons?
Yes, every surgery has risks. But a great surgeon is better prepared to manage and reduce these risks, and they take due diligence in performing appropriate pre-operative assessment and planning for potential complications, should they occur.
Is the expense of advanced veterinary surgery justified?
Yes. Although some advanced surgeries may appear to be expensive upfront, they typically decrease the costs associated with repeat surgeries and extended post-operative care. In the long run, making the right surgical choice can be a better overall investment with fewer complications and expenses.
What questions should I ask before my pet has surgery?
Ask about the surgeon’s experience with the specific procedure, how long they expect recovery will take, what complications there might be, what pain relief strategies they will use, and what the aftercare will entail. Also, never hesitate to ask for a second opinion if you are unsure.
