Surgery and Managing Pain
Access to a veterinary surgeon and pain management professional is important to people with pets. You can rest assured that your animals will be cared for with the utmost compassion, skill, and precision at Fort Hunt Animal Hospital.
Our state-of-the-art hospital uses an electrocardiograph (ECG/EKG) and other equipment to closely monitor your pet's vital signs such as heart rate, pulse, respiration, body temperature, and blood pressure. Advanced technology allows us to perform multiple surgeries using a carbon dioxide laser.
Our surgery services include:
- Ovariohysterectomy (spay)
- Orchiectomy (neuter)
- Dental prophylaxis (including tooth extractions)
- Growth or mass removal
- Cystotomy
- CCL repair (cruciate)
- Cherry eye repair
- Enucleation (eye removal)
- Other soft tissue and orthopedic procedures
Be sure to review and complete the hospitalization release paperwork before your pet's upcoming procedure. Call (703) 360-6100 if you have any questions.
Veterinary Dental Procedures
Our dental exams and cleanings include full-mouth radiographs to determine the health of your pet's teeth from roots to tips, including the surrounding bones.
Dental exams can identify potential problems:
- Plaque and tartar buildup
- Gingivitis
- Periodontal disease
- Fractured or abscessed teeth
Cleaning tools include:
- Ultrasonic dental scaling
- Subgingival curettage (scaling teeth under the gum)
- A polished finish
Pain Management Conditions
- Surgery and recovery
- Lameness
- Torn nail
- Various injuries
Pain Management Therapies
- Oral and injectable medications
- Epidural analgesia
- Alternative therapies
- Advanced laser therapy or cold laser therapy
Controlled Veterinary Substance Update
Patients prescribed with a controlled drug that contains an opioid "for an acute (new) problem or concern" will only be given at "maximum a seven day supply." If the patient requires more than seven days’ worth of pain control, there must be a recheck exam with a doctor to assess the need for the medication before a refill can be authorized.
Patients prescribed with a controlled drug that contains an opioid "for a chronic (long-term) condition must be examined by a veterinarian every six months." We recommend the patient be seen earlier than six months to allow for continued coverage. We will not be able to offer any waivers or dispense any controlled medications until the above requirements are met. Commonly dispensed medications that are affected by these regulations are: Tramadol, Torbutrol/Butorphanol, and Buprenorphine.
Some helpful resources regarding these new regulations can be found at VaAware and the Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine website.
The Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine requires all veterinarians and veterinary practices to report the dispensing of any controlled substance (and gabapentin) for longer than 7 days as of July 1, 2018. As part of this report, we must submit the pet owner's date of birth and gender. You will be asked for this information in order to have it available should it be needed in order to fill a prescription for your pet. Because of these new regulations and reporting policies, we are no longer keeping many of these controlled substances in stock and will write written prescriptions to be filled elsewhere instead.
