Surgery
Veterinary Surgery — West Hills Animal Hospital, Long Island
West Hills Animal Hospital & Emergency Center | 800 W. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington, NY 11743 | Diagnostics available 24/7 | (631) 351-6116
When your pet needs surgery, whether it is a planned procedure or a middle-of-the-night emergency, the outcome depends on the experience of the surgical team, the monitoring equipment, and the quality of post-operative care. At West Hills Animal Hospital, our surgical team performs advanced procedures beyond the scope of most general practices, supported by a fully equipped surgical suite staffed 24 hours a day and backed by the board-certified specialists across our hospital network.
We approach every surgical case with the same discipline: thorough pre-operative evaluation, a tailored anesthesia plan, continuous intraoperative monitoring, and structured recovery support. Surgery at West Hills is not a single event. It is a complete, carefully managed process from the initial consultation to the day the stitches come out.
We accept surgical referrals from primary care veterinarians across Long Island and collaborate with referring practices and our team of specialists to build the most comprehensive plan for each patient. When surgery is not the right first step, we also offer multimodal non-surgical treatment options for orthopedic cases.
Surgical Services We Provide
Procedures are performed at West Hills or, for select advanced cases, alongside the board-certified specialists at our Gold Coast Center for Veterinary Care campus, with shared records and a single care team.
Emergency Surgery
Foreign body removal, gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV/bloat), urethral obstruction relief, trauma repair, internal bleeding, emergency endoscopy, and other time-critical procedures, available 24/7.
Emergency Endoscopy
Minimally invasive retrieval of swallowed objects from the esophagus and stomach using a flexible camera scope, often avoiding open surgery entirely. Endoscopy is also used to evaluate gastrointestinal bleeding, obstruction, and unexplained vomiting. Most patients recover within hours, with no incision.
Orthopedic Surgery
Cruciate ligament repair, patella luxation repair, fracture repair, elbow dysplasia treatment, joint and ligament repair, and limb amputation when necessary. Multimodal non-surgical treatment options are also available for orthopedic cases when indicated.
Soft Tissue & Abdominal Surgery
Splenectomy, liver and gallbladder surgery, adrenalectomy, gastrointestinal surgery, pancreatic surgery, kidney and lower urinary tract procedures, hernia repair, and abdominal exploratory surgery.
Oncologic Surgery & Surgical Biopsy
Tumor and mass removal, including oral tumor surgery and rib tumor resection, plus surgical and endoscopic biopsy of suspicious masses and lesions for histopathological diagnosis, coordinated with our in-house lab.
Head, Neck & Thoracic Surgery
Brachycephalic airway syndrome repair, treatment for laryngeal paralysis, thyroid and parathyroid gland removal, salivary gland removal, ear, oral, and nasal surgery, plus thoracic procedures including lung lobectomy, chylothorax repair, and pericardectomy.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Laparoscopy and arthroscopy performed through very small incisions, using scopes to visualize internal structures. This approach minimizes post-operative pain, discomfort, and swelling, and often shortens recovery time.
Regenerative Medicine: Stem Cell Therapy & PRP
Stem cell therapy and platelet rich plasma (PRP) joint injections that aid in the repair and restoration of damaged and diseased tissue. PRP is derived from your pet’s own blood and is commonly injected into diseased joints; it can also support the healing of wounds and muscle or tendon injuries.
Spay & Neuter
Performed with individualized pre-operative bloodwork, a tailored anesthesia plan, and continuous monitoring throughout. Never treated as a routine assembly-line procedure.
Wound Management & Reconstructive Surgery
Debridement, reconstruction, and closure of complex wounds, including bite wounds, lacerations, and post-traumatic injuries.
Specialist Referral Surgery
For complex neurological cases and select advanced procedures, we coordinate directly with the board-certified specialists at our Gold Coast Center for Veterinary Care campus. Same records, same network, seamless handoff.
Anesthesia Safety — How We Protect Your Pet
Anesthesia concern is one of the most common things we hear from pet owners before a procedure. We take that concern seriously. Our anesthesia protocols are built around the individual patient — not a one-size-fits-all approach — and every surgical patient receives a level of monitoring that reflects current best practices in veterinary anesthesia.
Intraoperative Monitoring
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) — continuous heart rhythm tracking
- Pulse oximetry — oxygen saturation in real time
- Blood pressure monitoring — systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure
- Capnography — carbon dioxide levels to confirm proper respiratory function
- Body temperature monitoring and active temperature regulation
- Dedicated anesthesia monitoring by a trained veterinary technician, separate from the surgical team
Pre-Operative Protocol
- Complete physical examination on the day of procedure
- Pre-operative bloodwork — complete blood count, chemistry panel, and clotting assessment
- Individualized anesthesia plan based on age, weight, breed, and health status
- IV catheter placement before induction for immediate drug access and fluid support
- Discussion with you about risk factors and expected recovery
Pain Management — Before, During, and After
Effective pain management is not just about comfort — it is about healing. Pets that are well-managed for pain recover faster, eat sooner, move earlier, and experience fewer complications. At West Hills, we use a multi-modal pain management approach in every surgical case.
- Pre-emptive analgesia: pain medication given before the procedure begins — not after your pet is already in pain
- Intraoperative local blocks: regional anesthesia to minimize pain at the surgical site, reducing the amount of systemic anesthesia needed
- Post-operative medications: customized oral pain management sent home with clear instructions
- Follow-up assessment: pain reassessment at discharge and at follow-up visits to ensure your pet remains comfortable throughout recovery
- Veterinary acupuncture: available as part of our multimodal approach to help reduce pain and inflammation and promote healing during recovery.
Post-Operative Recovery & Aftercare
- Detailed written discharge instructions specific to your pet's procedure
- Activity restriction guidelines with clear timelines
- Wound care instructions and signs of concern to watch for
- Scheduled follow-up appointments for suture removal and healing assessment
- Rehabilitation recommendations when indicated — coordinated with Gold Coast's rehab team
- 24/7 emergency contact if post-operative concerns arise — We are always available
Your Pet Deserves the Best. We Are Ready Right Now.
800 W. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington, NY 11743 | Open 24/7, 365 days a year | (631) 351-6116