At Big Lick Veterinary Services, we offer a wide range of surgical procedures with a focus on safety, comfort, and clear communication. From routine to more complex surgeries, our experienced Roanoke veterinarians use careful planning, modern monitoring, and thoughtful pain management to support your pet every step of the way. No matter where you’re coming from around Roanoke Valley, we’re here to make the surgical process as straightforward and stress-free as possible, for you and your pet.
From spay and neuter to mass removals, bladder stone extractions, and gastropexy, our team performs a wide range of soft tissue procedures with precision and compassion. Common procedures include abdominal exploratory, splenectomy, enucleation, amputation, anal gland removal, aural hematoma repair, and more.
When bones or joints need expert attention, we’ve got you covered. Dr. Nelson performs select orthopedic procedures in-house, and we also work with a trusted mobile veterinary surgeon for advanced surgeries such as ACL repairs. No matter who’s operating, your pet will be in experienced, caring hands from pre-op to post-op.
For small, benign growths and skin lesions, cryosurgery offers a safe, stress-free alternative to traditional surgical removal. Using a precision instrument called a CryoProbe, we can freeze away unwanted tissue in seconds, without anesthesia, cutting, or post-op care. It’s fast, effective, and ideal for warts, cysts, perianal adenomas, and even certain eyelid tumors.
In most cases, we’ll ask that your pet fasts after midnight the night before surgery. We’ll provide all pre-op instructions in advance and are happy to answer any questions you have.
Dr. Nelson performs select orthopedic procedures, and we partner with a skilled mobile surgeon for more complex cases conducted in-house. We’ll always walk you through the process and keep your pet’s care seamless and coordinated.
Anesthesia is never risk-free, but we take every precaution to ensure your pet’s safety. Each patient receives a customized anesthesia plan, and we monitor them closely before, during, and after surgery.
For most procedures, yes. Your pet will rest with us after surgery and go home later that day once they’re alert and stable. If your pet needs to stay longer, we’ll keep you fully informed.
That depends on the surgery. Simple procedures may require a week or two of downtime, while orthopedic surgeries can take longer. We’ll give you detailed aftercare instructions so you know exactly what to expect.
