Many pets will have to undergo surgery at some point in their lives. As a pet owner, you want your companion to receive the best possible surgical care in a state-of-the-art, safe, and comfortable environment. Our veterinarians and technicians understand these concerns, and we understand how stressful a major surgical procedure can be for both you and your dog or cat.

Our caring team of veterinarians and technicians treats every patient with the highest level of veterinary care standards on every surgical procedure. Our highly skilled veterinary doctors place the utmost emphasis on pain management before, after, and during surgery to ensure your dog or cat is comfortable and safe throughout the entire treatment process. Using advanced veterinary technology, your pet’s vital signs are monitored by our well-trained technicians and veterinarians throughout the entire recovery process.

Our veterinary hospital features a modern surgical suite, where our veterinarians perform surgeries with the safety and comfort of our canine and feline patients in mind. Our veterinarians have years of experience in advanced veterinary surgery procedures and offer their expertise with both precision and compassion.

At the Animal Surgery clinic of Billings, we pride ourselves on making every procedure as safe as possible, using our state of the art monitoring equipment and the combined years of experience of our doctors and technicians. The safety and comfort of your dog or cat is our first and foremost priority during anesthesia and surgery.

Pre-anesthetic blood tests and consultation prior to a surgical appointment are imperative for risk assessment. It also helps us in educating clients about the expected outcome from surgical procedures, recovery periods, and aftercare. Every surgical patient that is admitted to our hospital receives a complete physical exam by a veterinarian and has a complete blood panel evaluated to ensure that they are safe candidates for anesthesia.

Patients undergoing surgery also receive intravenous fluids with anesthesia to maintain adequate hydration and blood pressure. This individualized one-on-one care is what we would want for our own pets, so it’s what we want for yours too.

About Your Pet’s surgery

The Animal Clinic of Billings and Animal Surgery Clinic of Billings offers a variety of surgery types for dogs and cats. Soft tissue surgery procedures include surgery on skin and muscle or internal organs. Orthopedic procedures are those focused on bones and joints.

At the Animal Surgery Clinic of Billings, our veterinarians and veterinary surgeons are highly experienced in both routine and advanced surgical procedures, and we take every precaution for your pet’s health, safety, and comfort.

After performing a complete physical examination and reviewing your dog or cat’s medical state, one of our veterinarians will discuss treatment options that may include surgery if necessary. After which, we will work together with you to determine the best plan that meets the individualized needs for both you and your dog or cat.

If surgery is recommended by one of our veterinarians, you can rest assured that one of our doctors will provide the appropriate pain management needed so that pain is identified and properly relieved.

At the Animal Clinic of Billings and Animal Surgery Clinic, we believe that our patients’ safety and ability to remain comfortable before, during, and after any surgical procedure is of the utmost importance.

This is why we diligently perform a pre-anesthetic physical exam on our patients and recommend routine blood work before every surgical procedure. This allows us to identify any underlying health issues that could compromise your dog or cat’s safety before administering anesthesia.

Additionally, vital signs are continually monitored by one of our trained technicians during anesthesia and surgery, and a tech remains present with your pet throughout the entire surgery and post-op recovery process to ensure both the safety and comfort of your pet is maintained.

If you have any questions what-so-ever, one of our veterinarians will be happy to address any concerns you may have prior to your dog or cat’s surgery.

Once we have cleared your dog or cat for surgery, we proceed with the following preparations and surgery.

• An IV catheter is inserted to provide fluids, electrolytes, anti-pain medications, antibiotics, and anesthetic administration.
• Advanced monitoring equipment is connected and used to monitor your pet’s vital signs throughout the procedure, such as respiratory rate, blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and body temperature.
• Depending on the procedure, your dog or cat may be intubated to protect his/her airway and to administer an inhalant anesthetic.
• The incision site is sterilized and shaved
• Surgery is performed
• Anesthesia is reduced upon completion of the surgery
• Pet is moved to a recovery area

While your dog or cat is recovering from surgery, one of our veterinarians or receptionists will contact you to let you know when your dog or cat will be ready to go home and how the surgery went. Detailed discharge instructions will be provided for proper at-home care upon your arrival as well as any aftercare instructions, follow up recommendations, necessary medications to be administered at home, and we’ll answer any additional questions you may have.

One of our veterinarians will additionally address any typical post-surgical behaviors to look for so that you’re able to know what to expect or be aware of when your pet is recovering at home.

You may also call us any time during our regular business hours if you have any further questions about your pet’s post-surgery recovery.

COMMON SOFT TISSUE AND MINIMALLY INVASIVE PROCEDURES WE OFFER

SOFT TISSUE SURGERIES

• Anal Gland Removal Surgery
• Biopsies
• Cystotomy Surgery
• Ear Hematoma Surgery
• Ear Polyp Removal
• Foreign body removal
• Hernia repairs
• Laceration (wound) repair
• Mass/lump removal
• Nephrectomy (Kidney Removal)
• Neuter (Castration) in Dogs and Cats
• Organ Biopsy
• Oronasal fistula repair
• Ovariohysterectomies (spays) and neuters
• Parathyroid Gland Tumor Surgery
• Perineal Hernia
• Perineal Urethrostomy
• Reproductive Surgery
• Salivary Gland Problems
• Skin Grafting and Reconstructive Surgery
• Soft tissue tumors
• Spay in Dogs and Cats
• Thyroid Gland / Mass Removal
• Tracheal Collapse
• Tumor Removal and Histopathology
• Upper respiratory surgery

ORAL SURGERIES

• Brachycephalic Obstructed Airway Syndrome (BOAS)
• Cleft Palate Repair
• Dental extractions
• Fractured Tooth Extractions
• Jaw Fracture Repair Surgeries
• Laryngeal Paralysis
• Laryngeal Tie Back
• Oral Surgery – resection of oral tumors, repair of jaw fractures
• Retained (Deciduous) Teeth in Dogs and Cats
• Tooth Root Abscess in Dogs
• Salivary Mucocele

ABDOMINAL SURGERIES

• Abdominal Exploratory Laparotomy
• Adrenal Gland Tumor Removal
• Bladder Stone Removal (Cystic Calculi)
• Bloat Surgery / Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV)
• Cystotomy (bladder surgery) – for removal of bladder stones or polyps
• Emergency Abdominal Surgery
• Enterotomy (intestinal surgery) – for biopsies and removal of foreign objects
• Foreign Body Retrieval
• Gastrointestinal Surgery
• Gastropexy (to prevent bloat)
• Gastrotomy (stomach surgery) – biopsies & removal of foreign objects
• Intestinal Mass Removal
• Intestinal Resection/Anastomosis – Removal of part of the intestinal tract due to tumor or foreign object obstruction
• Liver Biopsy – Diagnosis of liver disease
• Liver lobectomy – for removal of liver tumors
• Liver Mass Removal
• Nephrectomy (Kidney Removal)
• Pancreatic Mass Removal and Biopsy
• Pyometra
• Spleenic (spleen) Mass Removal
• Subtotal Colectomy (Megacolon in Cats)

ONCOLOGIC SURGERIES

• Anal Gland Tumors
• Limb Amputations
• Lymphosarcoma in Dogs
• Tumor Biopsy / Removal
• Mast Cell Tumor
• Mammary Tumors
• Nephrectomy (Kidney Tumor)
• Lung Lobectomy / Lung lobe removal surgery

EMERGENCY SURGERIES

• Abscess Treatment and Surgery
• Corneal Ulcer in Dogs and Cats
• GIT Intestinal Resection and Anastomosis
• Bite Wound Treatment
• Bloat Surgery / Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV)
• C-Section and Dystocia in Dogs
• C-Section and Dystocia in Cats
• Bladder Stone Removal (Cystic Calculi)
• Exploratory Abdominal Surgeries
• Feeding tube placement and management
• Gastrointestinal foreign body removal
• Laceration repair
• Limb amputations
• Pyometra (Pus in Uterus)
• Rectal Polyp in Dogs and Cats
• Rectal Prolapse in Dogs and Cats
• Splenectomy
• Vaginal Prolapse and Vaginitis in Dogs

EAR SURGERIES

• Ear Hematoma Surgery
• Lateral Ear Canal Resection
• Total Ear Canal Ablation (TECA)
• Ventral Bulla Osteotomy
• Vertical Ear Canal Ablation

EYE (OPHTHAMOLOGICAL) SURGERIES

• Eye Enucleation – removal of the eye, in cases of trauma or painful/blind eye, as in end-stage glaucoma.
• Eyelid surgery – correction of inverted lids and lid tumors
• Entropion and Ectopion Eye Surgery
• Prolapsed gland of the third eyelid (“cherry eye”) repair

CORRECTIVE AND COSMETIC SURGERIES

• Cat declawing
• Dog dewclaws removal
• Ear cropping
• Entropion and Ectopion Eye Surgery
• Tail Docking and Amputation
• Stenotic Nares in Dogs (narrow nostrils)

If your dog or cat has a broken leg, a broken back or some other severely broken bone or fracture, our orthopedic surgeons at the Animal Clinic of Billings and Animal Surgery Clinic are here to help! Many of the surgical procedures performed by Dr. Brown, Dr. Flamme, and Dr. Albrecht at the Animal Clinic of Billings and Animal Surgery Clinic on any given day can be among the most advanced and cutting-edge veterinary surgical procedures. The ability to perform many of these operations requires years of training after veterinary school and specialized equipment.

Doctors Brown, Flamme, and Albrecht have more than 96 years combined veterinary practice experience and have successfully managed thousands of complex orthopedic injuries.

Drs. Brown, Flamme, and Albrecht provide arthroscopic joint surgery, advanced ACL and CrCL injury procedures in Billings, including TPLO and TTA, partial and complete joint fusions, elbow dysplasia surgeries including PAUL, and CUE, total hip replacements, advanced limb straightening procedures in addition to many other advanced forms of spine surgery, knee surgery, shoulder surgery, pelvic fracture surgery, bone grafting, and torn or ruptured ligament repair procedures on dogs and cats at the Animal Clinic of Billings and Animal Surgery Clinic in Billings Montana.

ADVANCED VETERINARY ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY PROCEDURES WE OFFER

FORELIMB SURGERY

• Biceps Tendon Injury and Rupture
• Biceps Ulnar Release (BURP)
• Canine Unicompartmental Elbow (CUE)
• Carpal Hyperextension / Arthrodesis Joint Fusion
• Elbow Dysplasia (PAUL, CUE, PUO, SCO, & BURP)
• Elbow Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)
• Fragmented Coronoid Process Removal and Surgery
• Lateral Humeral Condylar Fracture Repair
• PAUL Surgery for Elbow Dysplasia
• Proximal Abducting Ulnar Osteotomy (PAUL)
• Proximal Ulnar Osteotomy (PUO)
• Shoulder Instability (MSI)
• Shoulder Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)
• Subtotal Coronoid Osteotomy (SCO)

HIND LIMB AND PELVIC SURGERY

• Achilles Tendon – stretched, torn or ruptured
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament repair surgery (ACL, CrCL or CCL)
• ACL, CrCL or CCL Extra Capsular repair surgery
• Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease or Rupture (ALC, CrCL or CCL)
• Distal Tibial Growth Plate Fractures
• Double Pelvic Osteotomy (DPO)
• Femoral Head and Neck Excision (FHNE)
• Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO)
• Femoral Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) of the Knee
• FHO Rear Limb Surgery
• Hip Dysplasia Surgery
• Iliopsoas Muscle Injury Surgery
• Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS)
• Luxated hip toggle pin repair surgery
• Medial Patella Luxation correction (MPL)
• Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) of the Hock
• Patellar Luxation Surgery
• Pelvic fracture surgery
• Slocum TPLO Certification for ACL, CRCL injury
• Stifle (Knee) Surgery
• Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon Luxation
• Tarsal Arthrodesis Fusions (Complete and Partial)
• Tibia Bone Fracture Surgery
• Tibia Growth Plate Fracture Repair Surgery
• Tibial Fracture Repair Surgery
• Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)
• Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA)
• Tibial Tuberosity Avulsion Fracture
• Total Hip Replacement (THR)
• Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO)
• TTA-KYON-Swiss for Cranial Cruciate Deficient Stifle
• Zurich Cementless Total Hip Replacement (THR)

SPINE AND NECK SURGERY

• Advanced Spinal Surgery
• Hemilaminectomy Spine Surgery
• Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD)
• Laminectomy Spine Surgery
• Lumbosacral Stenosis & Spine Disease (LS, CLS & DLS)
• SOP for Bone Fractures and Spinal Stabilization
• Spinal Fractures
• Ventral Slot IVDD Spine and Neck Surgery

GROWTH DEFORMITIES AND CROOKED LIMBS

• Advanced Osteotomy for ALD Limb Straightening
• Angular Limb Deformities
• Masters Level Advanced Osteotomy for ALD limb straightening

REGENERATIVE THERAPY

• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection
• Regenerative cell therapy & IRAP

OTHER ORTHOPEDIC PROCEDURES INCLUDE:

• Advanced Bone Fracture Repair
• Amputations
• Arthrodesis Joint Fusion
• Arthroscopic Exams and Assisted Joint Surgery
• Arthroscopy of Elbow, Shoulder, Stifle Knee
• Arthroscopic Fragment Removal
• Bone and Spine Tumor Management and Surgery
• Bone Grafting and Joint Fusion
• Carpal and Tarsal Fracture surgeries
• Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
• Diagnostic and Surgical Arthroscopy
• External Fixation Surgery
• Fracture repair – intramedullary pinning (placement of pins inside the long bones)
• Fracture repair – external fixation (using external pinning and connecting rods)
• Fracture repair with ORIF, conventional and locking plate systems, external fixation
• Fracture Repair – All Types
• Interlocking Nail Bone Fracture Repair
• Internal Fixation Surgery
• Joint Fusion (Arthrodesis) Surgery
• KE – Complete and Hybrid External Fixation
• Legg Calve Perthes Disease
• Limb Amputation
• Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis (MIPO)
• Osteoarthritis
• Physical Rehabilitation Therapy (PRT) & Laser Therapy

ANESTHESIA, ANESTHETIC SAFETY AND MONITORING

Precision anesthesia and cardiovascular monitoring are essential, integral aspects of every surgery we perform. Anesthesia is individualized for your pet based on a number of factors, which includes the type of procedure, his or her preexisting conditions, blood test values, age, breed, and prior anesthetic experience. The more precise the anesthesia, the fewer side effects and the faster the recovery.

During anesthesia and surgery, your pet is constantly monitored by a trained veterinary technician, using our advanced monitoring system. This system continuously monitors your pet’s arterial oxygen level, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and core body temperature. The result of all our efforts is the best and safest outcome for your pet. Rest assured, we provide the highest and most compassionate surgical care.