Denver:
2481 N Reading Road, Denver PA 17517
Call (717) 484-0440 |
Text (717) 925-3867
Lititz:
788 Rothsville Road, Lititz, PA 17543
Call (717) 627-3411 |
Text (717) 621-3141
Our Philosophy of Surgical Care
At Adamstown Veterinary Hospital, surgery is never “just a procedure.” It is a deeply personal moment in your pet’s life—and in yours.
Our approach to surgery is built upon three core principles: safety, compassion, and individualized care. Every patient is unique, and every surgical plan is tailored to that individual pet’s age, breed, medical history, and specific needs.
Before any procedure, our veterinarians perform a thorough physical examination and recommend appropriate pre-anesthetic testing to help us develop the safest possible anesthetic and surgical plan. No two patients receive exactly the same protocol because no two patients are exactly alike.
From routine procedures to advanced surgical cases, our goal is to provide exceptional medical care while supporting both pets and their families through every step of the process.
We provide selected orthopedic procedures designed to restore comfort, mobility, and quality of life.
Routine reproductive surgeries are performed using modern surgical techniques, individualized anesthetic protocols, and comprehensive pain management.
Your pet’s safety is our highest priority.
Every surgical patient benefits from a carefully designed protocol focused on minimizing risk and maximizing comfort before, during, and after anesthesia.
On the morning of surgery, your pet receives a comprehensive physical examination by one of our veterinarians. This allows us to identify any changes in health status that may affect the planned procedure or anesthetic protocol.
If concerns arise, we will discuss them with you and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
Pre-anesthetic bloodwork helps us evaluate your pet’s internal health before anesthesia.
Laboratory testing can identify conditions that may not be visible during a physical examination, including:
This information allows us to tailor anesthesia and improve patient safety.
Some heart abnormalities cannot be detected during a routine examination.
To provide an additional level of safety, we perform pre-surgical electrocardiograms (ECGs) and submit them for evaluation by veterinary cardiologists. These findings are reviewed by our veterinarians and incorporated into your pet’s anesthetic plan when appropriate.
For some patients, reducing anxiety begins before they arrive at the hospital.
When appropriate, we may recommend pre-admission medications to help reduce stress and create a calmer, safer experience throughout the surgical process.
Prior to anesthesia, patients receive:
Anesthetic medications are selected specifically for each patient based on:
This individualized approach helps maximize safety while promoting a smooth recovery.
Throughout every procedure, patients are continuously monitored by a dedicated credentialed veterinary technician.
Monitoring includes:
Our surgical team remains focused on your pet from induction through recovery.
All surgical procedures are performed using strict sterile protocols designed to reduce infection risk and promote optimal healing.
Pain prevention and control are central to our philosophy of care.
We utilize multimodal pain management, meaning we combine multiple medications and techniques to maximize comfort while minimizing side effects.
Pain management begins before surgery and continues throughout recovery.
Depending on the procedure, your pet’s pain management plan may include:
We believe successful surgery includes both excellent medical outcomes and exceptional patient comfort.
Surgical care begins long before anesthesia.
Our team incorporates Fear Free® and low-stress handling techniques throughout the surgical experience. We pay close attention to body language, anxiety levels, and individual temperament to create a calmer experience for every patient.
Gentle handling, individualized sedation plans, and a quiet recovery environment all contribute to improved patient comfort and recovery.
Patients are typically admitted between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM.
One of our veterinary technicians will:
Unless otherwise directed, food should be withheld after 8:00 PM the evening before surgery.
Water may remain available until you leave for your appointment.
Consent forms are typically emailed approximately one week before surgery. Completed forms may be returned electronically or brought with you on the day of admission.
We will keep you informed throughout the surgical process.
A member of our team will contact you after the procedure to discuss findings, recovery status, discharge instructions, and pick-up arrangements.
Because treatment plans occasionally change based on intraoperative findings, it is important that we are able to reach you during the day.
Most surgical patients are discharged between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
At discharge, we will review:
When appropriate, we will schedule a recheck appointment or suture removal visit.
Many patients recover uneventfully and require only routine monitoring at home, but we remain available should questions or concerns arise during recovery.
Modern veterinary anesthesia is very safe, particularly when combined with appropriate pre-anesthetic testing, individualized drug selection, advanced monitoring, and experienced veterinary professionals.
At Adamstown Veterinary Hospital, every anesthetic procedure is carefully planned and continuously supervised. For most patients, the benefits of surgery or dental care significantly outweigh the risks of anesthesia.
Pre-anesthetic bloodwork allows us to identify underlying medical conditions that may not be visible during a physical examination. These findings help us make safer anesthetic decisions and reduce risk.
Pain management is a priority for every surgical patient. We use a combination of medications and techniques before, during, and after surgery to keep patients as comfortable as possible throughout recovery.
We encourage patients to resume eating as soon as it is medically appropriate.
You are welcome to bring a small amount of your pet’s regular food on the day of surgery, particularly if they have dietary restrictions or food sensitivities. Most pets may eat a small meal the evening of surgery and return to their normal feeding schedule the following day.
Your discharge instructions will include specific recommendations for activity restriction, incision monitoring, medication administration, and signs that require veterinary attention. If you ever have concerns about your pet’s recovery, our team is available to help.
| Monday | 8 AM to 6 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM to 6 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM to 6 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM to 6 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM to 6 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM to 2 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |