Steady Hands and Exceptional Skill: Cat and Dog Surgery in Mankato, MN
Surgery is one of those moments when you want every detail to matter. You want to know who will be caring for your pet, how they will be monitored, what pain control measures will be used, and what you should expect when they come home.
Mankato Veterinary Clinic offers cat and dog surgery with a calm, thoughtful approach from a privately owned animal hospital that takes the time to do things carefully. Dr. Candace Born brings years of surgical experience to each procedure, along with the kind of steady guidance that helps the day feel less uncertain for you and safer for your pet.
If your pet needs surgery, book online or call us at (507) 735-6446 to schedule a consultation.
Surgical Care with Experience, Planning, and Safety in Mind
Every pet has their own health history, comfort level, risk factors, and recovery needs. Before recommending or performing surgery, we take time to understand the full picture.
Dr. Born brings more than 25 years of veterinary experience to Mankato Veterinary Clinic, including a strong background in general surgery. That experience helps guide considerate decision-making before, during, and after your pet’s procedure.
Our surgical care includes:
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A pre-surgical exam
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Review of your pet’s medical history
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Pre-anesthetic bloodwork when recommended
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Individualized anesthetic planning
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Careful patient monitoring
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Pain management before, during, and after surgery
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A dedicated surgical space
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Clear updates and discharge instructions
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Follow-up guidance during recovery
We also want you to feel comfortable asking questions. If you are nervous, uncertain, or weighing your options, we will talk through the plan in plain language so you are not left guessing.
What Pet Conditions May Benefit from Surgery?
Surgery may be recommended when a medical condition, injury, growth, reproductive concern, or painful problem cannot be managed well with non-surgical care alone. For some pets, surgery helps prevent future health issues. For others, it can relieve pain, remove diseased tissue, repair an injury, or help your veterinarian better understand what is happening inside the body.
Your pet may benefit from a surgical consultation if they have:
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A lump or mass that is growing, changing, bleeding, or causing irritation
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A wound, bite injury, or torn skin that needs repair
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Reproductive health concerns or a need for spay or neuter surgery
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Bladder stones or repeated urinary issues
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A suspected foreign body or gastrointestinal obstruction
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Painful, loose, fractured, or infected teeth
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A soft tissue condition affecting the skin, ears, eyelids, abdomen, or other areas
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An orthopedic injury or mobility concern
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A condition that has not improved with non-surgical care
Cat and Dog Surgeries We Offer
Our relationship with a mobile board-certified veterinary surgeon allows pets to receive a broader range of surgical care in a familiar, privately owned clinic setting whenever possible. Some of the procedures we offer include:
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Mass and lump removals
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Wound repairs
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Bladder stone surgery
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Foreign body removal
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Advanced soft tissue surgery
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Orthopedic procedures
What to Expect Before, During, and After Surgery
Knowing what will happen can make surgery day feel less overwhelming. We will give you instructions specific to your pet’s procedure, but most surgical visits follow a general rhythm.
Before surgery, your pet will have an exam and a care plan tailored to their needs. We may recommend bloodwork or other diagnostics to help us assess their health before anesthesia.
We will also talk with you about:
- The reason surgery is being recommended
- What the procedure involves
- Potential risks and benefits
- Estimated cost when possible
- Food and water instructions before surgery
- Drop-off timing
- How we will communicate with you
- What recovery may look like at home
Please tell us if your pet takes medications, has had an anesthesia reaction before, or has any new symptoms before surgery day.
During the procedure, your pet will be cared for by a veterinary team focused on safety, comfort, and monitoring. Anesthesia and pain management will be planned around your pet’s health and the type of surgery being performed.
While your pet is in surgery, our team will monitor important signs and keep them as comfortable and stable as possible. Once the procedure is complete, we will continue watching them closely as they wake up.
When your pet is ready to go home, we will review discharge instructions with you. These instructions may include activity restriction, incision monitoring, medication guidance, feeding instructions, and when to return for a recheck.
Most pets need a quiet recovery period at home. Even if your pet seems energetic, jumping, running, rough play, and licking the incision can interfere with healing.
Call us if you notice:
- Swelling, redness, discharge, or bleeding at the incision
- An incision that opens
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhea
- Refusal to eat beyond the expected recovery window
- Extreme tiredness
- Trouble breathing
- Signs of pain
- Any behavior that worries you
You do not have to decide alone whether something is normal. If you are unsure, reach out and we will help you determine the next step.