Surgery
Veterinary Surgery in St. Paul, MN
Surgery is often the most effective way to treat many serious injuries and disorders, and Life Care Animal Hospital is proud to offer state-of-the-art facilities and equipment including laser surgery. We provide a full range of surgical services ranging from spaying, neutering, and mass removals to advanced, highly specialized procedures provided by surgical specialists that visit our hospital.
Veterinary Surgeries Performed:
- Soft-tissue
- Orthopedic
- Ophthalmic
- Foreign body removal
- Bladder stone removal
Patient safety and comfort is our main priority. Life Care Animal Hospital’s experienced veterinarians and technicians provide individualized anesthesia and pain management during and after all surgical procedures, ensuring your pet recovers quickly and with minimum discomfort.
Our veterinary team will walk you through the entire process, giving you the tools to make informed decisions regarding your pet’s treatment options. We understand surgery is a stressful time for any owner, and we’re available every step of the way to answer questions and put your mind at ease.
Alternatives to Declawing
Scratching is a normal behavior of cats. It conditions the claws, serves as a visual and scent territorial marker, allows the cat to defend itself, and provides healthy muscle engagement through stretching. In many cases, a cat can be trained to scratch only appropriate surfaces. However, a cat’s excessive or inappropriate scratching behavior can become destructive or cause injury to people in the home.
Alternative Options Include
- Providing appropriate scratching surfaces, such as dedicated posts and boards that are tall enough to encourage full stretching. What constitutes an attractive surface or location varies by cat, so don’t be afraid to get creative! Scenting with catnip may help too.
- Frequent nail trims – every 1-2 weeks
- Nail caps – replaced every 4-6 weeks
- Positive reinforcement training, beginning with kitten kindergarten if available
- Pheromone sprays and/or plug-ins
- Discourage use of inappropriate surfaces by attaching sticky tape or tinfoil
- Punishment is not an effective deterrent
Learn more about declawing and why we recommend against this elective procedure, please visit: catscratching.com
Contact Us About Our Pet Surgery Services in St. Paul
If you are considering surgery for your pet in St. Paul or want to learn more about declawing alternatives, please contact us at (651) 774-6063 or schedule a consultation with your Life Care Animal Hospital veterinarian.