Whether routine or advanced, your pet’s procedure will be our top priority. From the moment you arrive, we’ll be there to set your mind at ease and help keep your pet calm and relaxed.
Once safely sedated, we will complete the surgery as efficiently as possible. As the doctor works, our dedicated support staff will remain present at all times, assisting with surgery and closely monitoring your pet’s wellbeing.
Bringing a loved one in for surgery is never easy. At Makawao Veterinary Clinic, we know exactly what you’re going through because we’re pet parents too. We assure you that we’ll do whatever it takes to make your pet’s procedure as safe and stress-free as possible.
Our surgical care begins with thorough preoperative screening, which helps reduce the risk of complications for your pet. We’ll also create a safe, effective plan to keep your pet comfortable and pain-free – before, during and following surgery.
After surgery, we’ll gently relocate your pet to our recovery area, where our staff will continue to offer comfort and reassurance. When you arrive to pick up your pet, we will go over our aftercare instructions, including a plan for post-surgical pain management.
Surgery doesn’t have to be a source of anxiety, especially if you’ve got the experienced, compassionate team at Makawao Veterinary Clinic in your corner. Contact us today and let’s discuss how we can help with all of your companion’s surgical care needs.
According to a recent report by the American Humane Society, animal shelters across the country euthanize 2.4 million healthy dogs and cats each year due to pet overpopulation. This equates to one healthy animal losing his or her life every 13 seconds in America alone.
Fortunately, while this is a sad and frustrating statistic, it’s also preventable with spay or neuter surgery. Neutering a male pet means he can’t impregnate a female while a spay surgery in females renders them infertile.
The first thing a veterinarian does when a pet undergoes a spay or neuter procedure is provide them with safe and effective anesthesia, which puts them into a deep sleep. The veterinarian then removes the reproductive organs.
Throughout the entire procedure, veterinary staff remains present to carefully monitor the patient’s heart and breathing rate. They also provide pet owners with home care instructions once the pet comes out of surgery.
An unaltered female cat may go through several heat cycles each year. Intact female dogs usually go into heat two times each year. A cat becomes fertile well before she reaches one year old, which means she could produce dozens of litters of kittens during her lifetime. Cats in heat exhibit loud vocalizations and can act aggressively to try to gain the attention of male cats.
Spaying a female dog reduces her desire to roam free. If an unneutered neighbor male dog encounters a spayed female dog, he won’t attempt to mate with her. In addition to preventing litters of puppies and kittens that may not find a home, spaying a female cat or dog decreases her risk of developing uterine, ovarian, and mammary gland cancer. This risk decreases even further for dogs and cats who have the surgery before they go into heat for the first time.
Intact male dogs and cats can engage in aggressive behavior and roaming when they have not yet undergone the neutering procedure. This aggression can surprise their human family. Unneutered pets also spray their urine to claim a territory as their own. The odor of this spray is not only extremely unpleasant, but it can be extremely difficult to eliminate as well. After neutering surgery, the risk of testicular or prostate cancer in male pets drops significantly.
Neutering or spaying a pet increases their lifespan by an average of three to five years. One last thing to consider is that people with altered pets make better neighbors and are less likely to encounter the dangers of roaming because their pets are much more likely to remain in their own homes or yards.
Have questions about spaying or neutering your pets? Call Makawao Veterinary Clinic at 808-572-9003. We’re here to help!
We perform many types of soft tissue surgeries at our clinic. Soft tissue surgeries are those that are not associated with bone. These surgeries can provide many benefits to pets.
Probably the most common soft tissue surgery performed on pets is the removal of masses, or lumps. Most of these masses, once removed and tested, are found to be benign (nonharmful); however, occasionally they are more serious. Early removal and accurate diagnosis of a lump is necessary to improve the outcome in your pet if the mass is cancerous.
When your furry loved one needs orthopedic surgery, you can rely on the experienced team at Makawao Veterinary Clinic to make things right. Dr. Matchett can take care of dogs, cats, and other pets with orthopedic surgery that treats injuries, as well as a variety of conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system.
Dr. Clayton Matchett uses advanced orthopedic surgery techniques to address most needs, including, but not limited to:
One of the most commonly diagnosed orthopedic conditions in small dog breeds is patella luxation. Although this condition primarily affects small breeds, it can also affect large and giant breeds. This dislocation can be medial or lateral, depending on which side the kneecap falls to.
Medial patella luxation (MPL) is a frequent cause of orthopedic lameness in both small and large breed dogs. This condition occurs when the patella, or “kneecap”, slips in and out of its natural position. Normally the patella sits in a groove in the femur and does not move side to side. However, sometimes the patella will be pulled out of this groove, or luxate.
Lateral luxation is most common in giant breeds, and more often both knees are affected, but it can also be unilateral. Mild cases might not have a symptom in the affected limb, while more severe cases can result in pain and loss of function. Lateral patella luxation refers to a dislocation away from the body, while medial is a displacement closer to the body. As the kneecap dislocates, it erodes cartilage and exposes the bone, leading to instability, pain, and arthritis.
Dr. Matchett is trained and certified in the CBLO (CORA Based Leveling Osteotomy) technique. CBLO is a state-of-the-art cruciate ligament repair based on the Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy, (TPLO).
The CBLO has many advantages, however, over the TPLO and other procedures. For instance, with a CBLO, the osteotomy site does not involve cutting into the joint, unlike the TPLO. Additional benefits of CBLO include:
May be performed on a young/juvenile patient because the procedure does not involve the growth plate
Our goal is to help your four-legged family member return to what he/she loves to do as soon as possible, and the CBLO is generally the best option in most cases.
The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is one of the main stabilizers in the canine or feline stifle (knee) joint. Its purpose is to help maintain a normal relationship between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) in all angles and ranges of motion. To be more specific, the CCL prevents the tibia from sliding forward. The cranial cruciate ligament also prevents excessive internal rotation of the tibia and helps in limiting hyper-extension of the stifle.
Rupture of the CCL in the knees (stifles) of dogs is common. It is the equivalent of a person tearing their ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), or “blowing out their knee,” which is often related to significant trauma in humans. In dogs it is thought to be a degenerative condition of the soft tissue with the slope of the tibial plateau exacerbating the problem. If the slope is excessive, the femur slides back off the tibia during extension, putting significant strain on the cranial cruciate ligament.
When the CCL ruptures, (or tears), the stifle becomes unstable and the relationship between the femur and tibia is changed, leading to inflammation (arthritis) and pain. If the instability is left untreated, lameness frequently persists and arthritis will progress. Due to the instability in the stifle caused by the ruptured CCL, the medial meniscus can be pinched between the femur and the tibia causing irreparable damage. Subjectively, it appears that patients with CCL ruptures and meniscal damage experience more pain and more lameness than patients without meniscal damage.
The TPLO procedure was developed over 30 years ago to correct the anatomic issue that predisposes to cruciate rupture by reducing the tibial plateau angle. TPLO is meant to work by rotating the slope of the joint surface at the top of the tibia. With this, the forces that are typically counteracted by the cranial cruciate ligament will be reduced or even eliminated.
The TPLO is an effective procedure, however, because it does not stabilize the back and forward motion of the femur on the tibial plateau, long-term follow-up studies have shown that the joint cartilage will often break down.
CBLO was created as a refinement of the concepts of TPLO, and it helps to address some of the issues that could cause future complications that often occur with TPLO. One of those issues is the load bearing axis of the tibia moving further away from the anatomical axis of the tibia in dogs.
CBLO remedies this by inverting the rotation which results in the weight bearing axis being brought into alignment with the anatomical axis. All sizes of dogs and cats can be candidates for CBLO.
Rehabilitation following a CBLO procedure can begin as soon as the pet goes home. The surgical area can be chilled with an ice pack for 10 minutes at a time, a few times daily. (Never attempt to make up for a skipped treatment by icing the area longer, as prolonged cold exposure can cause injury).
Passive range of motion exercise where the knee is gently flexed and extended can also help. It is important not to cause any pain when moving the limb. Let the pet guide you and always avoid twisting the leg. After the stitches or staples are out, increased leash walking can be helpful for strengthening the back legs. No running, jumping, or other excessive types of exercise should be performed for a full two months after surgery.
The meniscus is part of the knee joint. The bones of all joints are capped with cartilage and provide a slippery surface where the bones contact each other. If the bones contact each other without cartilage, they grind each other down. In addition to the cartilage caps, the stifle joint has two “blocks” of fibrocartilage in between the bones. These blocks are called the menisci and serve to distribute approximately 65% of the compressive load delivered to the knee. The only other joint with a meniscus is the jaw (tempero-mandibular joint).
When the cruciate ligament ruptures, the medial meniscus frequently tears and must either be partially or completely removed. Meniscule assessment is usually done at the time of cruciate ligament surgery. Pets with meniscal damage may have a clicking sound when they walk or when the knee is examined. To achieve a definitive diagnosis, the menisci must actually be inspected during surgery.
When your animal companion needs orthopedic care, consider contacting Makawao Veterinary Clinic to determine whether orthopedic surgery is a treatment option. We commonly repair the following:
If your animal companion suffers any kind of fracture from an accident or other injury, it’s essential to get them to your veterinarian as soon as possible. The sooner the orthopedic surgery can be performed, the better the possible outcome.
Rupture of ligaments can cause your furry loved one to become lame. When this type of injury occurs in both legs, the level of lameness can be devastating, impacting your pet’s emotional wellbeing and overall physical health. Fortunately, there are often surgical solutions or regenerative medicine techniques that can help heal the injury.
Not sure if your pet needs an orthopedic evaluation? Some of the red flags associated with joint, bone, and ligament problems include:
If you’ve noticed any of these things, it’s time to book a professional orthopedic evaluation. The sooner we can pinpoint the problem, the sooner we can get your pet back on the path to good health. Contact Makawao Veterinary Clinic today to make an appointment. We’re here to help.
Cryosurgery is a relatively painless surgical procedure that uses extremely cold temperatures to remove or destroy small growths on the skin. This same procedure is used on people.
If your pet has growths you are concerned about or would like to have removed, please contact us to set up an appointment.
Did you know that there’s a simple surgery that can allow your pet to breathe better, play better, and live better?
Dogs breeds, like French and English bulldogs, or any “Bully” dog breeds, like Boston terriers, Pugs, and Pekinese, all have a head shape that is shorter, therefore the structure of their throat and muzzle often causes breathing obstructions. These dogs are known as “brachycephalic” breeds, meaning “having a short head”.
Brachycephalic Syndrome is diagnosed if the dog has stenotic nostrils, an elongated soft palate, and they may also have laryngeal saccules which are everted. These characteristics are common in all the breeds listed above.
An elongated soft palate, by definition, is longer than normal and the tip extends into airway passages. This overly long soft palate restricts the air that is moved in and out of the lungs. Stenosis of the nostrils means the nasal airway is too narrow and restricts air flow when breathing through the nose. Laryngeal saccules that are everted impede air flow entering the trachea.
For dogs who suffer from Brachycephalic Syndrome, treatment to remove excess soft palate is strongly recommended. This procedure is called a staphylectomy and involves the safe and effective removal of excessive soft palate with minimal complications. Correcting stenotic nostrils and removing everted laryngeal saccules can also be performed at the same time, if necessary.
At Makawao Veterinary Clinic, we utilize state-of-the-art equipment which allows us to perform safe and cost-effective same-day surgery that could change your pet’s lives forever.
Noisy breathing is one of the first signs in dogs who display Brachycephaly. The sound is typically more prominent when the dog is inhaling. Certain dogs will also have a gag reflex when attempting to swallow and will often show an intolerance of exercise. Sometimes their gums and their tongue turn blue if they are over-exerted in any way. Collapsing may occur, particularly after strenuous exercise.
Becoming overly excited, or excessive heat and humidity may cause a dog with Brachycephalic Syndrome to overheat. The condition tends to worsen in dogs who are overweight. Dogs with laryngeal elongation also sometimes prefer sleeping on their back.
Signs of your pet gagging, coughing, being intolerant of exercise are common symptoms of the condition. ANY SIGNS OF STRUGGLING TO BREATHE OR HISTORY OF OVERHEATING SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ASAP.
Stenotic nostrils are usually evident during a physical examination and do not typically require imaging. Diagnosis of everted laryngeal saccules, or elongation of the soft palate, can only be achieved when the patient is safely sedated. Under anesthesia, a positive diagnosis is made if the elongated soft palate extends past the epiglottis/airway entrance. The veterinarian might also recommend that radiographic images of the chest be obtained so that your pet’s trachea, lungs, and lower air passage can be evaluated.
Young animals tend to have a better long-term prognosis; however, we regularly perform this procedure in older dogs with chronic breathing issues and can make amazing improvements in their quality of life. See the video below of a middle-aged bulldog that struggled with Brachycephalic Airway issues for its entire life until we resected his soft palate and surgically opened his nasal airway.
If you suspect your dog may have Brachycephalic Syndrome, the first step is scheduling an appointment with Makawao Veterinary Clinic. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and give your pet the gift of better breathing and a longer, happier, healthier life!
Laparoscopy is a cutting-edge, minimally invasive surgical technique that enables veterinarians to examine and treat internal organs using a specialized instrument called a laparoscope. This tool, equipped with a camera and light, provides a clear view of the internal structures on a monitor. Unlike traditional open surgery, laparoscopy involves smaller incisions, resulting in less pain, quicker recovery times, and reduced risk of infection and scarring for your pet.
At Makawao Veterinary Clinic, we offer a range of laparoscopic procedures, including spays and neuters, biopsies, exploratory surgeries, and gastropexy. These procedures are less invasive, allowing for precise diagnosis and treatment with minimal trauma. Laparoscopic spaying and neutering, for instance, offer a faster recovery compared to traditional methods, while laparoscopic biopsies enable accurate tissue sample collection with minimal disruption.
Choosing Makawao Veterinary Clinic for your pet’s laparoscopic needs means opting for advanced, compassionate care. Our skilled veterinarians use state-of-the-art equipment to ensure the best outcomes for your pet, minimizing discomfort and promoting faster healing. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact us at (808) 572-9003.
444 Makawao Ave. Suite A,
Makawao, HI 96768
Call/Text: (808) 572-9003
Large Animal: (808) 281-1087
Boarding: (808) 866-2109
Email: info@makawaovet.com
Monday – Sunday
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM