Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful answers about specialty surgery, appointments, procedures, preparation, and recovery at Small Animal Surgical Services.
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General Questions
What does Small Animal Surgical Services provide?
Small Animal Surgical Services provides specialty surgical care for pets requiring advanced surgical evaluation and treatment across a range of orthopedic, soft tissue, neurologic, minimally invasive, and other surgical conditions.
What types of surgery does SASS perform?
SASS offers a broad range of specialty procedures, including orthopedic surgery, soft tissue surgery, neurologic surgery, minimally invasive procedures, PRP therapy, and other surgical procedures based on the individual patient's condition and diagnostic findings.
Does every condition require surgery?
Not every condition requires surgery. The surgical team evaluates the pet's condition, medical history, diagnostics, and available treatment options before making recommendations.
How do I know which procedure may be appropriate for my pet?
The appropriate procedure depends on your pet's diagnosis, physical examination, diagnostic findings, overall health, and individual circumstances. A surgical evaluation can help determine the appropriate next step.
Appointments
How do I schedule an appointment?
Please call or email Small Animal Surgical Services to schedule an appointment. Calling is preferred so our team can discuss your pet's needs and the appropriate next steps. Phone: 207-481-0191 Email: info@sassmaine.com Appointments are required. Walk-ins are not accepted.
Do you accept walk-ins?
No. Appointments are required and there are no walk-ins.
Do I need to contact my veterinarian first?
Your primary-care veterinarian can help evaluate your pet's condition and determine whether specialty surgical care may be appropriate. SASS also works directly with pet owners to coordinate appointments.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Have your pet's medical records, diagnostic information, current medications, previous treatment information, and any questions you have available.
Can I submit an appointment request online?
The SASS appointments page can provide an appointment request form for pet owners. Submitting a request does not confirm an appointment; the SASS team will contact you regarding scheduling options.
My pet gets anxious at veterinary visits. Should I let SASS know?
Yes. Please let us know when scheduling if your pet becomes scared or very stressed during veterinary visits. Your referring veterinarian or the SASS team can discuss whether appropriate pre-visit medication is needed. If medication is prescribed, follow the instructions provided by the veterinary team. This may include administering it the night before and the morning of the appointment, before arrival.
Surgery & Procedures
What happens during a surgical consultation?
The surgical team reviews your pet's history and available diagnostic information, evaluates the condition, and discusses appropriate surgical options and next steps.
What should I expect on the day of surgery?
The surgery-day process depends on the procedure. It may include patient check-in, review of the surgical plan, preoperative preparation, anesthesia and surgery, recovery monitoring, postoperative instructions, and discharge planning.
What kinds of orthopedic procedures does SASS perform?
Orthopedic procedures include TPLO surgery, ACL-related procedures, patella luxation procedures, femoral head ostectomy, fracture repair, arthrodesis procedures, amputation procedures, and other orthopedic surgeries based on the patient's needs.
What soft tissue procedures are offered?
SASS offers a range of soft tissue procedures involving abdominal and gastrointestinal conditions, urinary and reproductive conditions, biliary and endocrine conditions, airway and ear conditions, skin and reconstructive procedures, thoracic and cardiovascular procedures, colon and rectal procedures, and selected eye and eyelid procedures.
Does SASS perform minimally invasive surgery?
Yes. Minimally invasive procedures include rhinoscopy, tracheoscopy, otoscopy, laparoscopy, cystoscopy, arthroscopy, and Nanoscope stifle arthroscopy.
What other surgical procedures does SASS offer?
Other procedures include selected limb and amputation procedures, jaw and oral surgery, urinary and reproductive procedures, abdominal and internal organ procedures, endocrine surgery, ear and airway procedures, eye and eyelid procedures, cardiovascular procedures, and hepatic or vascular procedures.
Does my pet need to fast before surgery?
Yes. Patients should be fasted from midnight before their scheduled procedure. Failure to follow the fasting instructions may delay surgery or result in cancellation for safety reasons. Please follow any specific instructions provided by the SASS team.
TPLO Surgery
What is TPLO surgery?
TPLO, or Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy, is an orthopedic procedure used for dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease. The procedure changes the mechanics of the knee to provide stability during weight bearing.
How does SASS evaluate a pet for TPLO surgery?
The surgical team evaluates the pet's medical history, physical findings, diagnostic information, and overall health before determining whether TPLO is an appropriate treatment option.
What can recovery after TPLO involve?
Recovery generally involves controlled activity, medication as directed, incision monitoring, and follow-up care. Patient-specific instructions from the surgical team should always take priority.
PRP Therapy
What is PRP therapy?
Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy uses a pet's own blood to prepare a concentrated platelet-rich product that may be used to support healing and tissue recovery.
What conditions may PRP therapy be used for?
Potential applications include osteoarthritis, tendon and ligament injuries, muscle strains, joint inflammation, and selected post-surgical healing applications.
How is PRP therapy performed?
The process generally includes a blood draw, centrifugation, PRP preparation, treatment, and recovery. The exact treatment plan depends on the individual patient.
Recovery & Postoperative Care
How long will my pet take to recover?
Recovery depends on the procedure and the individual patient. Your surgical team will provide procedure-specific activity restrictions, medication instructions, recheck recommendations, and other recovery guidance.
What may be included in postoperative care?
Postoperative care may include controlled activity, medication administration, incision monitoring, preventing interference with the surgical site, feeding or dietary instructions, follow-up examinations, additional imaging or testing, and rehabilitation or recovery recommendations.
When should I contact the veterinary team?
Contact your veterinary team if you have concerns about the surgical incision, pain or discomfort, medications, appetite, activity or mobility, recovery progress, or other unexpected changes. For urgent or after-hours concerns, contact your regular veterinarian or a local emergency clinic.
Is there a Surgery Preparation App?
Yes. The current SASS materials reference a Surgery Preparation App to help clients keep preparation and recovery information organized.
Referring Veterinarians
Can my veterinarian communicate with SASS about my pet?
Yes. SASS works with referring veterinary professionals and can coordinate specialty surgical care with the primary-care veterinary team.
How can a veterinarian discuss a surgical case with SASS?
Veterinary professionals can contact SASS at 207-481-0191. Additional referral information is available on the Veterinary Referrals page.
What records should I send with a surgical referral?
Please send all records pertaining to the reason for surgery or surgical consultation. We also appreciate prior records that may help guide patient care, including known allergies, previous surgeries, and other significant medical issues.
What information should a referral include?
Please include the owner's name and contact information, pet's name and signalment, the primary reason for referral, recent testing related to the medical issue, current medications, and any other relevant concerns.
Pricing
How much do surgical procedures cost?
Orthopedic procedures may range from approximately $3,000 to $7,000, while soft tissue surgeries may range from approximately $2,500 to $6,000. Actual costs vary depending on the complexity of the case and the treatment required.
When will I receive an accurate price for my pet's treatment?
General pricing information may be provided after SASS receives information from your family veterinarian about the recommended treatment. A more accurate estimate is determined after reviewing referral records, consulting with the treating veterinarian, and completing a thorough physical examination. The estimate is provided before further patient treatment. Costs can vary, and SASS makes its best efforts to discuss changes with the owner before they occur.
When your pet needs specialty surgical care, start with a conversation.
Whether you're a pet owner looking for answers or a veterinarian considering a surgical referral, the SASS team can help determine the appropriate next step.
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.