Surgery- Orthopedics. Westbridge doctors perform a wide variety of orthopedic procedures including cruciate (knee ligament) repair, long bone fractures, pelvic fractures, and jaw fractures. We have sophisticated orthopedic equipment and implants and the “know how” to use them. Soft Tissue Surgery. Westbridge doctors perform many soft tissue operations such as tumor removal, abdominal surgery of many types including ovariohysterectomy (“spay”) and male neutering. Cat owners may be particularly interested to learn that declawing procedures are performed using a surgical laser. This technique greatly reduces or eliminates post-operative discomfort. Most cats are walking comfortably within an hour of recovery from general anesthesia.

Our veterinarians and surgical technicians have extensive training in local and regional anesthesia techniques as well as general anesthesia to insure that your pet will have no pain during anesthesia and minimal or no pain in the post operative period. In addition we routinely use oral or injectable pain medications (analgesics) to insure that your pet is comfortable. Since we are a “24/7” facility your pet is monitored carefully before, during, and after anesthesia regardless of the time of day or night.

Dental Care- We are experienced in providing dental cleanings using both hand and ultrasonic scalers and polishers. In addition we utilize techniques to save and preserve teeth that have minimal to moderate gum or root damage. When indicated we can perform extractions using a combination of local and general anesthesia to provide both pain relief and safety.

Radiology- Our new digital radiograph (x-ray) system has proved to be a significant advance in our diagnostic capabilities. The images can be enhanced to provide maximum detail for each organ or tissue allowing our veterinarians to “see” more than with conventional radiographs. Because the images can be viewed via the internet, our consulting radiologists can provide expert opinions from a remote site. We often receive radiologist’s reports the same day that the images are taken. In addition our radiologists can participate in performing contrast studies such as barium swallows in “real time” since the image can be viewed within six seconds of exposure.

The electronic images can be stored indefinitely and can be retrieved at the tough of a button. Although the x-rays can be enhanced the original image is always available and can never be altered. We can recall all the images taken on any one patient and compare older views with newer ones to note changes over time. One of our Critical Care residents summed it up best when he said “I could never go back to conventional x-rays after working with digital”. We couldn’t agree more.