Surgery
Gentle and safe anaesthesia, as well as clinical-level surgical treatment.
Which surgeries does filu offer?
At filu, we offer a variety of surgical procedures to ensure the health and well-being of your pet. Here is an overview of some of the most important surgeries we perform and why you can trust your animal in our hands.
Tumor removal
filu has specialists who are familiar with the removal of malignant and benign tumours. Through our precise diagnostics and modern surgical techniques, we ensure the best possible care for your animal.
Bone and joint surgery
At filu, we are focused on treating bone fractures, joint problems and other orthopedic conditions. Our experienced surgeons use gentle surgical methods to enable a quick recovery.
Soft tissue surgery
These include procedures such as removal of foreign bodies, treatment of abscesses, surgical wound treatment and treatment of injuries. Our veterinarians are able to perform such procedures safely and effectively.
Spay & Neuter
During spay & neuter, the testicles are removed from the male animal in a routine surgical procedure under anesthesia; in a female animal, the ovaries are removed, and in some cases also the uterus (e.g. if there is a disease of the latter). This procedure is also a routine surgical procedure under anesthesia. Find out more under Spay & Neuter.
Dental surgery
If necessary, we carry out tooth extractions and removal of tartar to maintain your pet's dental health and eliminate pain. Our digital dental X-ray device enables us to provide reliable diagnostics and targeted therapy. Find out more under Dentistry.
What is the procedure of surgeries at filu?
If your animal is not yet known to us or we have not seen it for a long time, we recommend a preliminary examination before the anesthetic day. By means of a clinical examination and, if necessary, further investigations such as blood levels, we can better assess the risk of anesthesia. On the day of anesthesia, an experienced vet receives your animal, examines it and checks the general condition. If the examination shows no evidence of an anesthetic risk, a venous catheter is inserted, anesthesia is initiated, and after falling asleep gently, the intubation is performed. The anesthesia is maintained using gentle gas anesthesia while vital signs are constantly monitored. For high-risk patients, an experienced colleague in the field of anaesthesia can also initiate and supervise anesthesia. After the operation, your animal will wake up under careful observation and you will be informed immediately. Pick-up is carried out individually to ensure that your pet is awake and able to walk. Until then, we stabilize the cycle through infusions and heat supply. When you return home, you will receive clear instructions and a detailed treatment plan for the optimal recovery of your pet. We are always available if you have any further questions.
Why are you in good hands for surgeries at filu?
- Experience: Our veterinarians have many years of clinical experience in carrying out various operations and are always up to date with the latest veterinary medicine.
- Modern technology: filu is equipped with the latest medical and technical equipment at hospital level. In this way, we provide effective treatments and safe anesthetic monitoring.
- Individual care: We take time for you and your pet to ensure individual and comprehensive advice and care.
- Gentle processes: At filu, we use gentle and safe anesthetic protocols and surgical methods to promote your animal's healing process and ensure its well-being.
- Aftercare: We offer comprehensive aftercare to ensure that your animal is optimally cared for after an operation and regains strength as quickly as possible.
With filu, you can be sure that your pet is in good hands. Our experienced veterinarians and dedicated specialists are committed to ensuring that your pet receives the best possible care.
Will my pet receive pain medication after the surgery?
Yes, of course, your pet will receive adequate pain medication during and after the surgery, adjusted to the procedure. At the latest when you pick up your pet, we will show you exactly how to administer the medications and explain what else you need to consider. Should you have trouble giving your pet the medication, we will find a solution together.
My pet needs surgery. What are the first steps?
Depending on whether your pet has already been examined at filu or referred from another practice, a preliminary examination is carried out before every surgery. At this appointment, your darling will be thoroughly checked: in addition to a general physical examination, a blood test will be initiated to rule out possible organ dysfunction or other accompanying diseases and infections. In this preliminary talk, we also discuss together the procedure and the approximate costs of the upcoming surgery, inform you individually about the anesthesia risk of your pet, and take time for your questions. Usually, we have the blood test results a few days after the blood draw, so we can inform you about the results promptly and ideally schedule a surgery date with you. In an emergency, we can also quickly perform all important pre-operative blood tests in our in-house laboratory and thus still respond to any particularities. If your animal shows an unusual blood finding or there is an increased risk of anesthesia for another reason, it may sometimes be necessary to postpone a planned surgery. If the planned procedure is urgent and needed soon, we naturally choose an anesthesia method that is gentle and adapted to the health condition of your animal.
My pet is very old (or very young) - is anesthesia still safe?
Similar to humans, very old or very young animals may have an increased risk of anesthesia. In a thorough preliminary examination, we individually assess which risk category applies to your furry friend and choose a gentle and safe anesthesia protocol accordingly - the technically competent care within the scope of our medical staff's intensive clinical experience is especially important in these cases. Regardless of whether there is an increased or only minor risk of anesthesia complications, all our patients are, of course, carefully monitored throughout the entire anesthesia and lovingly cared for by our team during the recovery phase.
What should I pay attention to at home after the surgery?
In the first few hours after anesthesia, your pet should not receive any water or food - we will discuss the specifics with you when you come for the pickup. Depending on the duration of the procedure and the length of the anesthesia, it may be that your pet is still very tired and a bit unsteady on their feet at home on the day of the surgery and sometimes the following day. Also, the body temperature may be slightly elevated the day after the surgery but should return to about 38-39°C (100.4-102.2°F for dogs and cats) by the evening. In most cases, after the surgery, your pet will be given a bodysuit or a neck collar - please take special care to ensure that the surgical wound is not licked or nibbled at. Additionally, your pet should rest during the first few days to weeks after the surgery - long walks and vigorous play and bathing should be avoided during this time to allow the wound to heal well and for your furry friend to recover from the procedure. About 10 days later, the stitches from the skin suture will be removed, and a precise wound check will be conducted (at the latest by then). If you notice any redness, swelling, or other problems beforehand, do not hesitate to contact us - we are here for that.
What should I consider on the day of the surgery?
Please ensure that your pet is fasting on the day of the surgery. Typically, all scheduled surgeries at filu take place in the morning, so your furry friend should not eat anything the evening before (12 hours before surgery for cats and dogs) - this includes no treats. Please also inform other family members so they do not feed your pet. Your pet is allowed to have water up to about two hours before the surgery. Ideally, your pet should have urinated and defecated before the procedure.
How is a surgery performed at your facility?
Before the surgery, we conduct a general examination of your pet to check its health status as well as its suitability for anesthesia and surgery. You will then have a detailed discussion with one of our veterinarians who will explain the procedure of the operation to you precisely. We use gentle anesthesia and continuously monitor your pet during anesthesia by a veterinary medical assistant and with monitors according to clinic standards.
How long must my pet stay at the clinic after the procedure?
Typically, you can pick up your beloved pet just a few hours after the surgery. While your four-legged friend is still in the recovery phase, they will be well-monitored by us - we will inform you in time about their condition and the exact time you can come to pick them up.