When your pet needs surgery, experience, careful planning, and attentive follow-up matter. At Jog Lantana Animal Clinic, Dr. Miriam Delbene provides a broad range of soft-tissue surgical procedures for dogs and cats in a familiar, independently owned neighborhood practice.
Dr. Delbene brings 30 years of veterinary experience, including more than 20 years of experience in emergency and critical care, as well as extensive experience and a special interest in soft-tissue surgery. Every surgical recommendation is based on the individual patient’s condition, medical history, diagnostic findings, and expected quality-of-life benefit.
Soft-Tissue Procedures Available at JLAC
Depending on the patient, the complexity of the procedure, and the level of postoperative care required, surgeries performed at JLAC may include:
Abdominal, Gastrointestinal, and Urinary Surgery
- Gastrotomy or enterotomy for gastrointestinal foreign-body removal
- Intestinal resection and anastomosis
- Exploratory abdominal surgery and surgical biopsies
- Cystotomy for bladder stone removal
- Splenectomy
- Surgical liver, intestinal, or lymph-node biopsies
- Hernia repair, including umbilical, inguinal, and perineal hernias
- Prophylactic gastropexy
- Rectal prolapse repair
- Perineal urethrostomy in cats
Reproductive and Mammary Surgery
- Spay and neuter procedures
- Cryptorchid surgery
- Pyometra surgery
- Cesarean section (C-section), based on case assessment and availability
- Mammary mass removal and mastectomy
- Episioplasty/vulvoplasty
Mass Removal and Reconstructive Surgery
- Skin and subcutaneous mass or tumor removal
- Perianal mass removal
- Anal sacculectomy
- Oral reconstructive procedures and oral flaps
- Salivary mucocele repair and salivary gland removal
- Skin flaps and reconstructive wound surgery
Eye, Ear, Wound, and Other Procedures
- Cherry eye repair
- Eyelid surgery, including eyelid masses, entropion, and ectropion
- Medically indicated enucleation
- Ear hematoma repair
- Laceration, wound, and abscess repair
- Medically indicated limb amputation
- Medically indicated tail surgery
This list provides examples of procedures available at JLAC and does not determine whether surgery is appropriate for a particular patient. Some conditions require referral to a board-certified surgeon or specialty hospital. Dr. Delbene will discuss the safest and most appropriate option after evaluating your pet.
What to Expect from a Surgical Consultation
A physical examination is necessary before we can recommend a procedure or provide an appropriate estimate. During the consultation, we will review your pet’s condition and medical history, discuss the proposed surgery and available alternatives, and determine whether diagnostic testing or pre-anesthetic bloodwork is needed.
When surgery is performed within 30 days of the consultation and there has been no significant change in the patient’s condition, the consultation fee is applied toward the procedure. After 30 days, a surgical admission fee applies.
Careful Planning, Monitoring, and Pain Control
Before surgery, Dr. Delbene evaluates each patient’s overall health and determines which pre-anesthetic testing is appropriate. Depending on the patient’s age, medical history, physical examination, and proposed procedure, this may include bloodwork, an electrocardiogram, or additional diagnostic testing.
Each patient receives an individualized anesthetic and pain-management plan. We monitor patients throughout anesthesia and recovery and provide clear discharge instructions, medication guidance, and follow-up recommendations to support recovery at home.
When appropriate, therapy laser may be incorporated into the postoperative care plan to support pain management, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
Seeking a Second Opinion?
If surgery has already been recommended for your pet, we welcome the opportunity to provide a second opinion. Dr. Delbene will review your pet’s medical records, diagnostic results, imaging, and previous recommendations, perform an independent examination, and discuss whether the proposed procedure—or another approach—is medically appropriate.
Please send any available medical records, laboratory results, diagnostic images, and previous estimates before the appointment whenever possible. A physical examination is required before we can recommend treatment or provide an appropriate surgical estimate.