Veterinary surgery in Los Angeles
Thoughtful Surgical Care for Cats and Dogs
When your pet needs surgery, you deserve clear answers, experienced hands, and a team focused on their comfort from consultation through recovery. Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center provides veterinary surgical care for pets in Los Angeles, including Venice, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, and nearby communities.
Our fully equipped surgical suites and advanced imaging diagnostics help our team evaluate surgical conditions, plan procedures, and provide coordinated care based on each pet's individual needs.
Advanced surgical care
Advanced Surgery With a Board-Certified Veterinary Surgeon
Kelsey Arrufat, DVM, DACVS (SA)
Green Dog provides advanced orthopedic and soft-tissue surgery with Kelsey Arrufat, DVM, DACVS (SA), a board-certified veterinary surgeon.
Dr. Arrufat is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in Small Animal Surgery and provides advanced surgical care for orthopedic, abdominal, airway, urinary, oncologic, and other complex conditions.
Advanced procedures
Orthopedic and Advanced Soft-Tissue Surgery
Every surgery begins with your pet, not just the procedure. Our veterinary team reviews their medical history, evaluates available diagnostics, and develops a surgical and recovery plan based on their condition.
Orthopedic Surgery
- TPLO surgery
- Lateral suture stabilization
- Medial patellar luxation repair
- Fracture repair
- FHO hip surgery
- Achilles tendon repair
- Joint dislocation repair
- Orthopedic implant removal
- Specialized splints, slings, and bandaging
Advanced Soft-Tissue Surgery
- Mass removal and biopsy
- Mastectomy and cancer surgery
- Gastrointestinal foreign-body removal
- Intestinal and abdominal surgery
- Gastropexy and GDV surgery
- Gallbladder, liver, pancreatic, and spleen surgery
- Bladder-stone and urinary surgery
- Kidney removal
- Pyometra surgery
- Hernia repair
- Skin reconstruction
- Limb, digit, and tail amputation
Airway, Ear, Eye, and Thoracic Surgery
- BOAS surgery for flat-faced breeds
- Laryngeal paralysis surgery
- Total ear canal ablation
- Middle-ear surgery
- Eye removal
- Salivary mucocele repair
- Lung lobe removal
- Diaphragmatic hernia repair
Looking for oral or maxillofacial surgery? Visit our veterinary dental surgery page to learn about Green Dog's specialized dental care.
What to expect
Support Before, During, and After Surgery
Consultation & Planning
We evaluate your pet, review available diagnostics, and talk through the recommended procedure, benefits, risks, cost estimate, and recovery plan.
Anesthesia & Monitoring
Your pet receives an individualized anesthetic and pain-management plan, with trained veterinary professionals monitoring them throughout the procedure and recovery.
Recovery & Follow-Up
We provide written home-care instructions, medication guidance, activity restrictions, and follow-up recommendations tailored to your pet's surgery.
Veterinary surgery FAQs
Questions Pet Owners Ask About Surgery
Your pet's specific instructions may differ based on their health and procedure. Our team will review a personalized plan with you.
What types of veterinary surgery does Green Dog provide?
Green Dog provides advanced orthopedic and soft-tissue surgery for cats and dogs, including TPLO surgery, fracture repair, mass removal, abdominal and urinary surgery, BOAS surgery, ear surgery, and selected thoracic procedures. Surgical availability may vary by procedure, patient, surgeon schedule, and location.
What is a board-certified veterinary surgeon?
A board-certified veterinary surgeon has completed veterinary school, additional internship and residency training, and certification requirements established by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Dr. Kelsey Arrufat is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in Small Animal Surgery.
How do I know whether my pet needs surgery?
A veterinarian will examine your pet and may recommend bloodwork, X-rays, ultrasound, CT imaging, or other testing before determining whether surgery is the best option. We will explain the diagnosis, alternatives, expected outcome, and next steps so you can make an informed decision.
Why is pre-anesthetic bloodwork recommended?
Pre-anesthetic testing helps us assess organ function, blood-cell counts, hydration, and other factors that may affect anesthesia or healing. Results allow the veterinary team to adjust your pet's anesthetic and treatment plan when needed.
How will my pet be monitored under anesthesia?
Our trained veterinary professionals monitor each surgical patient throughout anesthesia and recovery. Monitoring and supportive care are selected for the individual patient and procedure, with attention to comfort, vital signs, and pain control.
How long does recovery take after pet surgery?
Recovery time depends on the procedure, your pet's age and health, and how well the incision heals. More complex procedures and orthopedic surgeries may require longer recovery periods and additional activity restrictions. Follow the discharge instructions provided for your pet.
What should I do to prepare my pet for surgery?
Follow the fasting and medication instructions given by our team, since recommendations can vary by age, health, and procedure. Arrange a quiet recovery area at home and ask us before surgery if you have questions about medications, feeding, transportation, or aftercare.
Which Green Dog location provides veterinary surgery?
Surgical availability may vary by procedure, patient, surgeon schedule, and location. Call (310) 606-2407 so our team can review your pet's needs and help arrange the appropriate consultation and Green Dog location.
Speak with our team
Call to Discuss Your Pet’s Surgical Needs
If your pet has been diagnosed with a surgical condition or your veterinarian has recommended surgery, call Green Dog at (310) 606-2407. Our team will review your pet’s needs, explain the next steps, and help arrange the appropriate consultation and Green Dog location.
Please have any available medical records, laboratory results, X-rays, ultrasound reports, CT images, and medication information ready for our team.
Surgical availability may vary by procedure, patient, surgeon schedule, and location.