Surgical Care for Dogs, Cats, and Exotics in American Fork
When your pet needs surgery, experience, preparation, and clear communication matter. Utah Veterinary Hospital provides a broad range of soft-tissue and orthopedic procedures. Dr. Samuel Rivera has extensive veterinary experience along with postgraduate training in small animal surgery, allowing our hospital to manage cases that extend beyond routine procedures.
A Thoughtful Plan for Every Procedure
Learning that your pet may need surgery can feel overwhelming. Our job is to make the process easier to understand. Before moving forward, we’ll assess your pet’s condition, explain the recommended procedure, and discuss what you can expect before, during, and after surgery.
Every patient is different. Age, medical history, current health, and the type of procedure can all shape the surgical plan. When appropriate, we may recommend preoperative diagnostics to gather more information and help us make informed decisions about anesthesia and treatment.
Throughout the process, we’ll give you straightforward answers without adding unnecessary confusion. Your pet’s health is our priority, and we want you to feel confident about the care they receive.
Soft-Tissue Surgery
Utah Veterinary Hospital performs a range of soft-tissue surgeries in addition to routine spay and neuter procedures. Available services include surgeries involving the gastrointestinal, urinary, reproductive, and other body systems.
Examples include gastropexy, cystotomy, enterotomy, C-sections, cryptorchid surgery, diaphragmatic hernia repair, anal gland surgery, abscess procedures, and surgical biopsies.
The right surgical approach depends on your pet’s condition and individual needs. Dr. Rivera will explain the procedure being recommended and whether treatment at our hospital is appropriate for your pet. Because surgical needs vary widely, pet owners should call our team to discuss the procedure their pet may require. We can help determine whether an examination or consultation is the right first step.
Orthopedic Surgery & Cruciate Repair
Dr. Rivera has a strong professional interest in orthopedic surgery and additional training in fracture repair and canine cruciate procedures.
Utah Veterinary Hospital offers cranial cruciate ligament surgery using MMP and extracapsular lateral suture techniques. Other orthopedic procedures include selected limb, toe, tail, and dewclaw amputations. Fracture repair may also be available depending on the injury and patient.
Because orthopedic conditions vary considerably, an examination and appropriate imaging are important first steps in determining the best treatment plan.
Anesthesia, Monitoring, & Recovery
During anesthetic procedures, patients receive dedicated veterinary technician monitoring. The hospital uses multiple monitoring tools to track important measures such as heart rate, breathing, oxygenation, blood pressure, temperature, ECG, and carbon dioxide levels.
Pain control is also planned around the individual patient and procedure. Our pain management options may be used before, during, and after surgery to support a more comfortable recovery.
We’ll send you home with clear instructions for medications, activity restrictions, incision care, and follow-up so you know what to watch for as your pet heals.
Call Utah Veterinary Hospital at (801) 692-1563 to schedule an evaluation or discuss your pet’s surgical care.