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Dr Elkins will be in Murray on:

August 31st

Call today for an appointment!

 
Office Procedures
 

     The first time we see your animal, we will give a thorough physical examination. We may ask you to bring a medical history form, any laboratory tests, and/or x-rays, if they have already been done. This will save time, money, and avoid repetition of tests.

After the examination, we will give you a treatment plan and an estimate of the cost. Please ask questions. It is very important that you understand the plan for treatment, aftercare, and any follow-up visits. It is our goal to provide your pet with the best care while in the hospital and to provide you with the information you need to continue that care after your pet goes home.

 

Important: Since many animals must be sedated to perform certain tests and x-rays, we request that you not feed your pet within 12 hours of the appointment. 

 

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View our Operation Room

 

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Dr. Elkins in action!

 

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Juli runs anesthesia

 

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Monitoring Equipment

What type of surgeries are available?

Dr. Elkins is certified to perform any surgical procedure needed for your pet for diagnosis, prevention, treatment, or relief of suffering.

Some of the common procedures performed by Dr. Elkins include:

  • Cruciate Ligament Repair
  • Patellar luxation repair
  • Hip Dysplasia  Procedures:   
    • Femoral Head Osteotomy
    • Triple Pelvic Osteotomy
    • Total Hip replacement
  • Fracture repair
  • Soft tissue surgery such as: Ear canal ablation 
  • Spinal surgery
  • Oncology  diagnosis and treatment 
  • Emergency procedures such as Diaphragmatic Hernia and GDV

Dr. Elkins is also certified to perform PennHIP testing for hip registration. 

These are just a few of the procedure available. To learn more about these conditions and others  Click Here

 

How safe is surgery for my pet?

 

Because all surgical procedures require anesthesia there is always a slight risk with surgery.  To minimize this risk we take several measures for safety:

 

  1. We run pre-anesthetic bloodwork before every surgery to rule out pre-existing conditions that may cause problems.

  2. We use the safest drug combinations available for the procedure being preformed.

  3. Your pet will be constantly monitored by an anesthetic technician during the procedure using Pulseoximetry and ECG

  4. Every patient is kept warm during the procedure with a hot-water circulating blanket

  5. Unless health problems dictate otherwise, all patients are supported with intravenous fluid therapy during the procedure.

 Will my pet be in pain?

Because the nature of surgical intervention involves some pain, we use aggressive measures to prevent and control pain:
  1. All patients are given pre-operative medications including a calming tranquilizer and a small amount of narcotic to desensitize and block pain reception.
  2. From induction until the procedure is over Isoflurane gas anesthesia is used to maintain your pet under a level of anesthesia that prevents the perception of pain.
  3. Before gas anesthesia is discontinued and your pet is allowed to wake up, another dose of narcotic is used to provide post-operative pain relief.
  4. Unless health problems dictate otherwise, your pet will be prescribed oral medications for the rehabilitation period to provide pain relief.

 

 

 

     

 Why can't my regular veterinarian do this for me?

Dr. Elkins offers his services as an extension of your regular veterinarian's care. We work by referral only and are here to supplement, not to replace, your veterinarian.

 

     Many of the surgeries that Dr. Elkins routinely performs your regular veterinarian may not have seen but a few times.  Dr. Elkins also has special equipment that your regular veterinarian may not have access to.

 

     Communication with the pet owner and the referring veterinarian is an essential part of our service. Your veterinarian will receive phone calls and written reports about the surgical procedure performed, prognosis, aftercare and medications recommended for your companion. We will return your pet to the care of your veterinarian as soon as possible after discharge from our hospital.

 

      By referring your pet to Dr. Elkins, your veterinarian is demonstrating the utmost concern for the health of your pet.

 

To read an article concerning referral click here

 
OK, how do I get referred to Dr. Elkins?
If you would like Dr. Elkins to examine your pet go to our Referral Information Page for instructions.