Pet Surgery in Hilton Head

Island Holistic Veterinary Center offers routine surgeries and procedures such as mass removals, biopsies, laceration repairs and emergency wound care. All procedures are outpatient and many will only require local anesthesia and/or mild sedation. If general anesthesia is required, our dedicated staff and veterinarians will explain the entire process with you for peace of mind. If we see your pet and determine that they need a more complex or intensive surgical procedure such as foreign body removal, we can refer them to a surgical center that specializes in the care that they need.

*Spays and neuters will not be performed at this time and will be referred to Coastal Veterinary Clinic.

Call (843) 671-PAWS to schedule your pet’s surgical procedure.

Keeping Your Pet Safe During Their Surgery

Like surgery for humans, pet surgery has inherent risks that can be minimized with proper precaution. Before every surgical procedure, we perform an examination and pre-anesthetic blood work to assess health, and formulate a custom anesthesia and pain management protocol to suit each patient’s needs and increase their safety.

In addition, your pet is monitored throughout their surgery; we use state-of-the-art equipment to evaluate blood pressure, oxygen, pulse oximetry, and more.

Pain Management

Pain relievers are administered before, during, and after surgery as needed, and we can send you and your pet home with oral pain medication to make their recovery more comfortable. We also offer acupuncture and herbal medicine, which can further reduce post-surgical pain.

Pain can inhibit the recovery process, so it’s important for your pet to feel as little pain as possible. If they seem uncomfortable while recuperating at home, please call us right away at (843) 671-PAWS.

Tips to Help Your Pet Recover Fully from Surgery

Before your pet is discharged to go home, our team will provide you with clear instructions about how to care for them in the days to come. A few crucial tips to make the process easier for your pet and you:

  • If your pet is likely to chew and lick at their surgical site, we highly recommend an e-collar and/or snug-fitting garment (a onesie or T-shirt should do) to protect the site and allow it to heal.
  • Check your pet’s surgical site daily. Make sure it isn’t discolored, swollen, bleeding, or giving off a strong odor.
  • Do not bathe your pet or allow them to get wet before their stitches have been removed; this can increase their risk of infection.
  • If your pet isn’t eating or drinking normally, contact us immediately.