For Pet Owners
Know what to expect before, during, and after surgery.
Specialty surgery can feel overwhelming. Our goal is to help you understand the process, prepare for your pet's appointment, and know what to expect as your pet recovers.
Meet Dr. House
A surgeon who understands that your pet is family.
Dr. Mark House, DVM, ACVS-SA, is a board-certified small animal surgeon committed to providing thoughtful specialty surgical care while working closely with you and your primary-care veterinarian.
He looks forward to meeting you and your pet and being part of the team caring for your family member.
To the Pet Parent
A message from Dr. House
You may have been referred to this site by your regular veterinarian or you may have stumbled upon it yourself while searching for an animal surgeon. I am happy to have your attention and would like to explain why you should select me to perform surgery on your pet- your family member!
Surgery can be stressful, and understanding the process can help you feel prepared.
For most people the thought of having surgery on your beloved family member is stressful. It is true that surgery has its risks, and these should not be ignored.
Preparing for surgery
Reducing risk starts before the procedure.
For most people the thought of having surgery on your beloved family member is stressful. It is true that surgery has its risks, and these should not be ignored. Surgical procedures usually require general anesthesia (your pet must go under) and any person or animal can have complications which could cause them to pass away. Overall, it is extremely rare that animals have anesthetic complications so myself, and your regular veterinarian will take all the precautions we can to reduce this risk.
You may be advised to have pre-operative bloodwork done prior to surgery, as this will help to determine if any underlying bleeding disorders or illnesses such as kidney or liver dysfunction exist, to make complications less likely. I strongly advise you have pre-operative bloodwork done as I want your pet to have the best chance for a successful outcome.
Along with bloodwork, a thorough examination is important. I will always perform a thorough examination of your pet and I will collect important history to assist me in understanding your pet’s illness. Additional tests such as radiographs (x-rays), urine testing, ultrasounds, etc. may be required on a case-by-case basis. These all help to provide the most information prior to performing a surgical procedure.
Being well informed is the best you can do prior to any surgery to reduce complications and provide the best chance for a successful recovery.
Pre-operative bloodwork
Bloodwork may help identify underlying bleeding disorders or kidney or liver dysfunction before surgery.
Thorough examination
Dr. House will perform a thorough examination and collect important history to understand your pet's illness.
Additional diagnostics
Radiographs (x-rays), urine testing, ultrasounds, and other tests may be required on a case-by-case basis.
Informed preparation
Understanding your pet's condition and the surgical plan helps you prepare for the procedure and recovery.
Before surgery
What happens before the procedure?
In most situations prior to surgery, you will have dropped your pet off with your veterinarian and I will arrive after you have departed. After thoroughly reviewing the records, discussing your pet’s situation with the clinic team, and performing a thorough examination, I will contact you to discuss the recommended surgery.
My priority is always your pet's wellbeing.
My goal is to provide the best animal welfare that I can, and as a veterinarian I will always prioritize the wellbeing of animals.
I WILL NOT PERFORM ANY SURGERY THAT I FEEL IS NOT INDICATED FOR YOUR PET!
I LOVE ANIMALS AND I LOVE HELPING THEM. I WILL ALWAYS DO MY BEST!
Understanding the surgery
You should feel comfortable asking questions.
If you have waited to speak with me in person, I will be happy to meet you. I will explain to you about the surgical procedure, the expectations, the risks and complications and the recovery process.
You are encouraged to ask me questions so that you have a good understanding of your pet’s surgery and recovery, as it is important for their optimal healing.
Once the surgery is completed I will contact you to inform you how the procedure went and what the findings were, as well as to answer any other questions you may have.
I will provide your veterinarian with discharge instructions which they will review with you at the discharge. In some instances your pet may be required to have overnight care. This will be determined by your veterinarian who will make arrangements with you accordingly.
Recovery
The recovery process is a very important part of healing.
The recovery process is a very important part contributing to the success of your pet’s healing. It is critical that you follow the discharge instructions carefully.
The E-collar matters
One important factor following surgery is the use of the Elizabethan collar (the cone of shame). The E-collar is needed to prevent your pet from licking at their incision. Unfortunately it only takes one lick to risk an incision infection or several to open the incision.
Restrict exercise
Within a few days of surgery most pets are feeling much better and forget they had surgery. It is critical that they are restricted to leash activity only and not playing with other pets, using stairs or exercising on the leash beyond being brought outside to relieve themselves.
Two-week healing period
In my experience the most common post-operative complication I see is incision infections from not using the E-collar for the 2 week healing period. Incision infections can delay healing and can be costly as antibiotics and sometimes additional surgical procedures may be required.
Too much activity can cause injury
Being too active too soon can cause incisions to open before they are healed, can cause implants to fail or can injure other parts of their body. Additional surgeries could be required to repair these injuries and in some cases injuries are irreparable.
Follow your veterinarian’s instructions.
Poor exercise restriction is another common mistake pet owners make leading to a delayed healing period for their pets. When you see your veterinarian, they will council you as to when the E-collar and when the exercise restrictions can be discontinued.
Overall, it is very important that you follow the discharge instructions and your veterinarian’s guidance for optimal healing of your pet.
If a complication occurs
Your veterinary team and surgeon work together.
Should complications occur, I encourage you to communicate with your veterinarian. They will contact me and I will work with them to ensure your pet can be treated in a team effort.
It is best for me to speak with them regarding any concerns to avoid miscommunications that could arise.
Why choose a board-certified surgeon?
Extensive training and continued surgical experience.
There are a few final thoughts I want you to be aware of. My goal as a Board Certified Small Animal Surgeon is to provide your pet with the best chance to have an optimal outcome from their surgical procedure.
I have had extensive training including completing a 4 year surgery program, in addition to a 4 year general veterinary program, and certification by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (www.acvs.org).
I have trained in all aspects of surgery including minimally-invasive, soft tissue, orthopedic and neurologic procedures which has allowed me to develop an extensive skill set for providing your pet the best outcome.
If you were to need surgery for yourself or a family member, wouldn’t you select the most qualified surgeon?
I will always strive to provide the best outcome for your pet by keeping my surgery skills sharp through performing procedures often and by attending continuing education to offer newer and better techniques for animals.
I look forward to meeting you and your pet and to being a part of the team in the treatment of your pet’s health!
Let’s Talk About Your Pet’s Surgical Care
Whether you’re a pet owner seeking guidance or a referring veterinarian discussing a surgical case, Small Animal Surgical Services (SASS) is here to help.
Appointments are scheduled by phone or email, giving our team an opportunity to learn about your pet’s needs, answer initial questions, and guide you toward the appropriate next steps for surgical care.
For questions about consultations, procedures, or your pet’s care, contact our team to discuss how we can assist.
Call or Email Us to Schedule
Appointments are required. There are no walk-ins.
Does Your Pet Get Anxious at the Vet?
If your pet becomes scared or very stressed during veterinary visits, please let us know when scheduling. Your referring veterinarian or the SASS team may be able to discuss appropriate pre-visit medication.
If medication is prescribed, follow the specific instructions provided by the veterinarian. This may include giving it the night before and the morning of the appointment, before you arrive.
Ready to discuss your pet's surgical care?
Appointments are scheduled by phone. Your regular veterinarian and the SASS team can help guide you through the next steps.
Proudly serving all of Maine
From Portland north to the Maine border, with particular focus on Mid-Coast and Southern Maine communities. Referring practices statewide are welcome.