Surgery
Orthopedic and soft tissue surgery for dogs, cats, and exotic pets in Overland Park and the greater Kansas City area.
Why Trust College Boulevard Animal Hospital for Surgery?
Surgery can be stressful—for you and your pet. Our goal is to make the experience as smooth and safe as possible, from the pre-surgical consultation through recovery. Dr. Pippin has a particular interest in orthopedic and soft tissue surgery and performs a wide range of procedures in-house, so many cases that might otherwise require a referral to a specialist can be handled right here at College Boulevard Animal Hospital in Overland Park. That means less stress for your pet, lower costs, and continuity of care with a doctor who already knows their history.
Every surgical patient receives an individualized anesthetic protocol, continuous monitoring (heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, temperature, and CO2), and a tailored pain management plan. We'll walk you through exactly what to expect before, during, and after your pet's procedure so there are no surprises on surgery day or during recovery at home.
Our Surgical Services
Orthopedic Surgery
We perform many orthopedic procedures, including cruciate ligament (ACL) repairs and patellar luxation corrections. Dr. Pippin's interest in orthopedics means many of these cases can be managed in-house rather than referred out, saving you time and cost while keeping your pet in familiar hands.
Soft Tissue Surgery
Soft tissue surgery covers a broad range of procedures involving organs, skin, and other non-bone structures. This includes mass and tumor removals, bladder stone surgery, gastrointestinal foreign body removal, splenectomies, eye surgeries, stenotic nares correction, and wound repairs. We handle both routine and complex soft tissue cases.
Spay & Neuter
Spaying and neutering are among the most common surgical procedures we perform, and we take each one just as seriously as any major surgery. Every patient gets pre-anesthetic bloodwork, a customized anesthetic protocol, continuous monitoring, and multi-modal pain management. We'll discuss the right timing for your pet based on their breed, size, and health. We also recommend implanting a microchip and performing a prophylactic gastropexy on at-risk breeds for GDV at this same time.
Mass & Tumor Removal
If your pet has developed a lump, bump, or growth, we can evaluate it through in-house testing and determine whether surgical removal is appropriate. We often recommend sending removed tissue samples to the lab for histopathology so we know if the entirety of the cancerous cells were removed and how to plan any follow-up care. Early removal of suspicious masses often leads to the best outcomes.
What Should You Expect on Surgery Day?
Every surgical patient gets a same-day physical exam and pre-anesthetic bloodwork before anything else happens. Based on those results—along with your pet's age, breed, and health history—we build a customized anesthetic protocol tailored specifically to them. There is no one-size-fits-all anesthesia here.
Once your pet is under, a dedicated veterinary technician monitors them continuously from induction through full recovery. They're tracking five vital parameters in real time: heart rhythm via ECG, blood oxygen with pulse oximetry, blood pressure, CO2 levels through capnography, and body temperature. Every pet also receives an IV catheter with fluid support throughout the procedure to maintain blood pressure and allow immediate medication delivery if needed.
Pain management is built into every surgical plan from the start. We use a multi-modal approach—combining different types of pain relief so your pet stays comfortable during and after the procedure. You'll go home with clear discharge instructions, pain medications, and a direct line to us if you have questions during recovery.
What Happens After Your Pet's Surgery?
Your pet recovers in a monitored recovery area where our team watches them until they're fully awake and alert. We know you're trusting us with your family member, and we don't take that lightly.
Most surgical patients go home the same day. You'll leave with written discharge instructions, pain medications, and specific guidance on activity restrictions, incision care, and what to watch for during recovery. We'll tell you exactly when to recheck, when stitches come out (if applicable), and what's normal versus what warrants a call. If anything concerns you during recovery—changes in appetite, swelling at the incision site, lethargy beyond the first day—call us. We'd always rather hear from you early than have you wait it out and wonder.
For orthopedic procedures like cruciate repairs, recovery is a longer road and we'll give you a detailed rehabilitation plan. Controlled leash walks, range of motion exercises, and gradual return to activity make a real difference in the outcome. We schedule follow-up appointments to monitor healing, check range of motion, and adjust the plan as your pet progresses. Every orthopedic case is different, and we tailor recovery timelines to your pet's specific procedure, age, and overall condition.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Kris Pippin, DVM and Dr. Jill Baird, DVM—April 2026