Surgery

There is nothing more important to us than your pet's safety and care

  • Oncology
  • Soft Tissue Surgery
  • Neutering
  • Dentistry
  • Orthopedic

Oncology

Oncology

Unfortunately, at some point in their lives, many of our pets will be diagnosed with a tumour. This may be a lump on the skin or an internal mass. At O’Shea, Bramley & Breen we have the facilities to diagnose and treat a wide variety of tumours, benign or malignant.

We have a in-house laboratory and access to world-class pathology experts to diagnose the problem and allow treatment to start immediately. We can use biopsy sampling, blood samples, ultrasound and x-ray to identify the problem and decide on a treatment plan.

Every pet is treated as an individual and all options are discussed with you so that together we can decide on the best treatment for your pet.

Soft Tissue Surgery

Soft Tissue Surgery

Should your pet require surgery at O‘Shea, Bramley & Breen, rest assured, our skilled surgeons can offer you the highest level of service across a range of procedures. From the most routine surgeries like neutering to more advanced procedures such as major abdominal surgery, your pet is in good hands.

Our anaesthetic nurses use the latest monitoring equipment to ensure your pet’s surgery goes smoothly and comfortably, also aiding in the recovery period after their operation.

We offer a full range of soft tissue surgery such as:

  • Neutering
  • Caesarean section
  • Cystotomy to remove bladder stones
  • Tumour removal
  • Liver biopsy
  • Splenectomy
  • Intestinal surgery to remove masses and foreign bodies.
  • Ear surgeries eg. Total Ear Canal Ablation and Ventral Bulla Osteotomy

Neutering

Neutering

At The Veterinary Hospital we recommend that all dogs and cats not intended for breeding should be neutered from six months of age. Rabbits can be neutered from 4 months of age. Neutering is also referred to as “spaying” in females and “castration” in males. Once neutered, your female pet will not come into heat and will be unable to get pregnant. Similarly, your male pet will not be interested in finding a mate. Your pet’s personality will not change and neutering does not take away playfulness or energy.

There are many advantages and health benefits to neutering which we can discuss with you at your pet’s health checks. We will also advise you on proper aftercare, including diet, to help prevent your neutered pet from becoming overweight.

* SHOULD I NEUTER MY PET?

It is natural to be a little apprehensive about neutering as it’s a big decision in your pet’s life. We fully understand our client’s concerns when it comes to making sure they are acting responsibly but also taking good care of their pet.

If you are not planning on breeding your pet, then we would recommend you talk to your vet and consider neutering. Animal shelters across the country are struggling to cope with unwanted pets that are often the result of accidental or poorly planned breeding.

A big concern for pet owners is how neutering will affect their pets and if the procedure will have any lasting side effects.

Thankfully, with modern anaesthetics, recovery times are very quickly and it is generally considered a routine procedure – in the vast majority of cases, patients walk out the door of the vet hospital with their owners.

When should I get my pet neutered?

At O’Shea, Bramley & Breen we recommend kittens are neutered at around 6 months of age and dogs from around 6 months onwards.

As with any procedure there is a small risk involved but it is very minimal with neutering.

The anaesthetic agents used in our hospital is the exact same as a human would use if they visited their hospital for a procedure. Therefore, you should have full confidence in the safety protocol of the anaesthetics being used.

At O’Shea, Bramley & Breen we offer two pre-anaesthetic blood tests which we highly recommend to all pets before they undergo an anaesthetic. There is pre anaesthetic standard test and also pre anaesthetic Gold Extended tests available.

How long is the recovery for neutering?

Pet owners often wonder how long their pet will be in recovery after a neutering procedure. Generally, male cats and dogs are quite frisky, up and about and moving freely within 24 hours without any problems.

For female cats and female dogs, the recovery time is slightly longer at 48 hours. At this point they will be moving freely as if nothing ever happened.

Your vet should complete a post-operative check-up approximately ten days after surgery for female cats and for male and female dogs. At which time the stitches will be removed. With male cats the stitching is internal and there is no need to remove them. They generally recover so well there is no need to bring them back to the hospital for a check-up.

The post-operative plan will include pain relief as needed.

What advice do you give to first time pet owners?

First of all, it is totally natural to be anxious, but let the experience of our team and the safety profile of our anaesthetics help ease those concerns.

When you are planning neutering, it is best to do it practically – for example, you won’t want to be going on holidays three days after the procedure. Also try and pick a time when the household is quit, and you are around to keep an eye on them.

Apart from providing your pet with extra hugs and kisses after their operation you should also keep an extra eye on them to ensure they are getting back to normal. Some pets might go a little quiet in the evening on the first day, but they should be back to their best by the following morning.

Should a female dog come into heat it is recommended that the neutering procedure be delayed until two months after her heat. Female dogs come into heat on average every 6-8 months, starting 6-8 months old.

You will need to ensure they don’t lick at the surgical site. We can provide a ‘lampshade’ collar to help stop your pet licking at the area if necessary. It is okay to 5take your dog for a walk, but it is advisable to keep them on lead and away from muddy places to keep the area clean until at least 10 days after the operation or as advised by your vet.

With cats, your vet will recommend a length of time to keep them indoors.

Weight gain post-neutering

Neutering has minimal effect on metabolism however there can be some weight gain if there is not a robust diet and exercise regime in place. This is something our vets will discuss with you at the time.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Dentistry

Dentistry

Dental disease is very common in animals with approximately 85% of pets developing some form of gum disease by the time they are three years old. Just as in humans, dental disease is painful, but because our pets do not have the same ability to communicate their discomfort as we do, until relatively recently a lot of their dental problems were overlooked. Additionally, an unhealthy mouth can lead to other problems such as bad breath, tooth loss, and in more severe instances, liver and heart disease. Signs of dental problems in your pet may include bad breath, red swollen gums, eating difficulties, yellow/brown tartar build up on teeth and drooling.

We at O’Shea, Bramley & Breen appreciate that dental care is a vital part of your pet’s preventive health care plan so particular attention is paid to the gums and teeth during your pet’s annual health exam. Our healthcare team is always on hand to advise you on all aspects of your pet’s dental hygiene, including proper diet and tooth brushing.

We also offer our clients and their pets a complete array of veterinary dental care services including comprehensive dental cleanings, tooth extractions and other pet dental procedures, including dental X-rays.

Periodontal disease-signs to look out for

As plaque builds up on your pet’s teeth, it hardens into tartar and damages the teeth and gums. This results in the disease known as gingivitis. Signs of gingivitis include bad breath and reddened gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can cause periodontal disease, a serious infection that can damage the teeth and gums and lead to health problems elsewhere in your pet’s body. If your pet is exhibiting any of the following symptoms, he or she may have periodontal disease:

  • Discomfort while chewing
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Pawing at the mouth
  • Inflamed or bleeding gums
  • Bad breath

Dental examinations and cleaning

Veterinary dental examination and cleaning are very different for pets than they are for humans. Because anaesthesia is required to keep your pet still and comfortable during a cleaning, a complete physical examination is required first in order to detect any complications that may occur from the use of anaesthetic. If teeth are identified that are going to be painful or infected despite cleaning, then extractions are likely to be necessary.

During a cleaning, the skilled veterinary technicians at The Veterinary Hospital use a hand scaler to remove tartar and plaque from your pet’s teeth. Next, a periodontal probe is used to check under the gum line for signs of periodontal disease. An ultrasonic scaler is used to clean the teeth above the gum line, and a curette is used to clean and smooth the teeth below the gum line. Finally, your pet’s teeth are polished and his or her gums are washed with an anti-bacterial solution to prevent future tartar build-up.

Pet dental care at home

Keeping your pet’s teeth clean is a year-round process. Our staff members can show you how to properly brush your pet’s teeth at home. This helps delay the build-up of plaque and tartar and is a great way for you to bond with your pet. Certain foods are also available to help prevent tartar build-up, which we can both recommend and supply.

Orthopedic

Orthopedic

Orthopaedic cases seen at The Veterinary Hospital include lameness investigations and surgical treatments for bone, ligament or tendon injuries and abnormalities. We have invested in the latest equipment and training to ensure the best outcomes for your pet.

A lameness investigation consists of taking a detailed history, observing the patient walking to assess lameness and gait, followed by an in-depth physical examination including palpating for evidence of swelling or muscle wastage, looking for signs of pain, assessing range of motion, joint stability and feeling for crepitation. In many cases the cause of lameness can be localised to specific areas which allows further investigations such as advanced imaging to help make a diagnosis.

We will then use our high definition x-ray system or ultrasound to make a diagnosis. We have the facility to refer a patient for advanced imaging such as CT or MRI should the need arise.

Fractures

Should your pet suffer a fracture we’re ready to help. We offer a range of fixation methods such as using bone plates (both conventional and more advanced Locking Plate systems), external skeletal fixation as well as a variety of pins, screws and wires. Each case is classified and carefully assessed to allow us to recommend the most appropriate method of fixation. Bone grafting can be used to help speed the repair in many cases.

Cruciate ligament ruptures

Cruciate ligament tears or ruptures are a very common cause of lameness in dogs. The tearing of the ligament causes instability in the knee and pain when your dog walks. Various methods of treatment are available. We offer lateral suture stabilisation which can be used in any size of dog but is best suited to small dogs and cats. We provide comprehensive after-care and will guide your pets rehabilitation until they are back running around again.