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Veterinary Surgical Care at Thrive

Exceptional Training. Focused Expertise. Closer to Home.

Dedicated Exclusively to Advanced Veterinary Surgery

When your dog or cat requires surgical care, you can trust Thrive Veterinary Surgical Services to deliver elite-level expertise, precision, and compassion.

While many veterinary clinics offer surgery as just one of many general services, our practice is focused exclusively on surgery. Dr. Vanessa Serratore is a residency-trained veterinarian who has dedicated her career entirely to mastering complex surgical procedures. Because of this singular focus, we possess the deep experience and advanced technical skill required for today’s most demanding operations.

For pet parents and primary care veterinarians across Alaska, Thrive offers an invaluable local resource: a dedicated surgical practice with a proven track record of successful outcomes, right here in Palmer.

The Surgical Procedures We Perform

At Thrive, our facility is equipped to perform a comprehensive range of complex and specialized procedures, frequently utilizing modern surgical techniques to minimize recovery times and maximize comfort. Our core areas of surgical expertise include:

Orthopedic Surgery

Focused on restoring mobility, relieving pain, and improving quality of life, orthopedic care at Thrive addresses a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. Our capabilities include:

  • Cruciate Ligament Repair (CCL): Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) and extracapsular lateral suture stabilization for ruptured ligaments.
  • Fracture & Dislocation Repair: Advanced stabilization of all fracture types using modern implant techniques, as well as the repair of traumatic and congenital joint dislocations.
  • Patella Luxation Correction: Surgical alignment for both medial and lateral slipping kneecaps.
  • Hip Dysplasia Treatments: Advanced joint procedures including Double Pelvic Osteotomy (DPO) and Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO).
  • Joint Fusion & Debridement: Carpal and tarsal arthrodesis (joint fusion) for severe osteoarthritis or hyperextension injuries, as well as open joint debridement for developmental conditions like OCD and fragmented medial coronoid process.
  • Limb Deformity & Tendon Repair: Ulnar ostectomy for angular limb deformities, full limb or digit amputations, and correction of complex muscle/tendon disorders (such as Achilles tendon ruptures).

Soft Tissue Surgery

We perform highly intricate procedures addressing internal organs, oncology, major airways, and complex reconstructions. Our advanced capabilities include:

  • Surgical Oncology & Reconstruction: Advanced skin and soft tissue mass excisions, complex skin flap reconstructions or skin graft placements, and lymphadenectomy to minimize tumor spread.
  • Head, Neck & Oral Procedures: Mandibulectomy or maxillectomy for oral tumors or jaw fractures; nasal planectomy or rhinotomy; and excision of salivary gland mucoceles or parathyroid/thyroid tumors.
  • Advanced Airway & Upper GI Support: Comprehensive correction of brachycephalic syndrome; repair of hard and soft palate clefts; and unilateral arytenoid lateralization (tie-back procedure) for laryngeal paralysis.
  • Ear Disease Management: Treatment of end-stage ear disease or mass removal via pinnectomy, total ear canal ablation (TECA), or ventral bulla osteotomy (VBO).
  • Cardiothoracic Surgery: High-level chest procedures including rib mass removal with chest wall reconstruction, lung lobectomy, mediastinal mass resection (thymoma), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) correction, and thoracic duct ligation/pericardectomy for chylothorax.
  • Abdominal & Hepatobiliary Surgery: Liver lobectomy, cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), biliary catheter placement, splenectomy, and the removal of complex pancreatic and adrenal masses.
  • Gastrointestinal & Hernia Repair: Foreign body and mass removals, colorectal surgery, anal sacculectomy, and gastropexy. We also perform all types of hernia repairs (perineal, diaphragmatic, scrotal, peritoneal-pericardial, abdominal, and inguinal).
  • Urinary & Reproductive Tract Procedures: Advanced urinary stone removal, cystectomy (bladder mass excision), ectopic ureter correction, nephrectomy (kidney removal), and prostatic tumor/cyst management. We also provide specialized lifesaving procedures like feline perineal urethrostomy (PU) or canine scrotal urethrostomy (SU), external genitalia corrections, complex ovariohysterectomies, and cesarean sections.

Neurologic Procedures

We provide precise surgical interventions to protect, repair, and restore nervous system function. Our advanced spinal and neurological capabilities include:

  • Spinal Cord Decompression (IVDD Treatment): High-level surgical relief for intervertebral disc disease using advanced techniques tailored to the location of the injury:
  • Cervical Ventral Slot (for neck disc herniations)
  • Hemilaminectomy (for mid-back disc herniations)
  • Lumbosacral Dorsal Laminectomy (for lower-back nerve compression)
  • Spinal Oncology & Diagnostics: Precision spinal tumor biopsy and mass removal to guide ongoing oncology care.
  • Vertebral Stabilization: Surgical repair and stabilization for select vertebral body fractures and spinal luxations (dislocations) caused by trauma.

Uncompromising Safety & Comfort

For your pet’s safety and your peace of mind, our modern surgery suite is equipped with the same sophisticated anesthesia and continuous patient-monitoring technology found in human hospitals.

Because a successful surgery relies heavily on a smooth recovery, we utilize advanced, multi-modal pain management techniques. We ensure your pet remains completely comfortable and supported before, during, and well after their procedure.

Looking for advanced care?

We partner closely with your family veterinarian to ensure seamless, collaborative treatment.

Meet Our Surgery Team