The Veterinary Outpatient Surgical Center provides a full spectrum of outpatient surgical care in a state-of-the-art facility serving the Washington, D.C. metro area. We proudly care for patients from Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland, and the greater DMV, earning the trust of our community through exceptional outcomes and high client satisfaction.
At VOSC, we deliver a true trifecta of care: quality, value, and convenience. Our center consistently outperforms traditional hospitals in both quality of care and patient satisfaction, while often reducing surgical costs by up to 50% compared to specialty hospitals. By combining excellence in surgical training, advanced diagnostics, and extensive veterinary experience, we are able to offer outstanding surgical care at an affordable price - all within a calm, attentive, and patient-centered outpatient setting.
Our commitment to safety, comfort, and convenience sets us apart. Our Board-Certified Surgeons, veterinarians, and skilled technicians are leaders in their fields and are dedicated to minimizing postoperative pain while maximizing patient comfort before, during, and after surgery. To ensure the best possible outcomes, we also provide complimentary follow-up appointments at our center for all surgical patients, allowing us to closely monitor recovery and support your pet every step of the way.
As an outpatient veterinary facility (no overnight care), we can be much more cost effective (affordable) than a typical 24hr referral clinic!
We provide a broad spectrum of diagnostic procedures through in-house testing and the use of external laboratories. We also work closely with local practices and veterinarians when special diagnostic procedures are required. The facility includes a well-stocked pharmacy, in-hospital surgery suite, in-house x-ray capabilities, a closely supervised hospitalization area, recovery area, and outdoor walking areas.
At Veterinary Outpatient Surgical Center, we strive to offer not only sound advice, but also optimal veterinary care, thus allowing you the enjoyment of your companion for a maximum number of years. Our job is not only to treat your pet when he or she isn't feeling well, but also to help you learn how to keep your best friend happy and healthy.
Surgical Services
Overview
Sully Veterinary Group is one of the top five veterinary surgical hospitals in the D.C. area. Our focus is on providing quality, affordable care. Your pet is in good hands with our highly skilled surgical and nursing staff. Whether it’s emergency surgery, a planned procedure, or addressing complex health problems, we have you covered. All of our veterinarians and specialists are skilled general surgeons. Dr. Brenda Taddeo, our general surgeon — along with our two board-certified veterinary surgeons, Dr. Lazar and Dr. Gordon — lead the surgical team during all of our complicated and delicate operations.
Preanesthetic Bloodwork
All of our patients get blood work done and receive a catheter before going under anesthesia. This is critical to your pets health and safety. With the blood test we can see if there is an underlying infection before surgery and check for kidney and liver functions. The catheter is also critical to best practices as we can administer medications and fluids pre and post op quickly and effectively, ensuring the safety of your pet.
Anesthesia & Monitoring
The health and safety of your pet during surgery is our top concern. Our surgical suite has the most sophisticated anesthesia and cardiovascular equipment available. Every patient’s blood pressure is continually monitored as well as their heart and respiratory rates, core body temperature and oxygen levels. A surgical assistant is with your pet from the beginning of the procedure, throughout surgery, and up until transfer to the recovery area. Your pet is then closely supervised by technicians before being released from the hospital.
Pain Management
Identifying and relieving pain is crucial to your pet’s recovery and overall health. Our practice takes a proactive and comprehensive approach to pain before, during, and after surgery. We follow the strict AAHA pain management protocols to ensure each pet’s individual pain is managed appropriately. Our team strives to keep your pet as comfortable as possible using the minimum amount of drugs.
Post-Operative Care
When your pet is discharged, you will receive detailed care and medication instructions to facilitate a smooth recovery at home. We are always available to answer any questions or address any concerns before you leave and once you take your pet home. The day following discharge, a team member will call to ensure your pet is improving.
Surgical FAQs
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE SURGERY
Many people have questions about various aspects of their pet’s surgery, and we hope this information will help. It also explains the decisions you will need to make before your pet’s upcoming surgery.
Today’s modern anesthetic monitors have made surgery much safer than in the past. Here at Sully Animal Hospital, we do a thorough physical exam on your pet before administering anesthetics to ensure that a fever or other illness won’t be a problem. We also adjust the amount and type of anesthetic used depending on the health of your pet.
Preanesthetic blood testing is important in reducing the risk of anesthesia. Every pet needs blood testing before surgery to ensure that the liver and kidneys can handle the anesthetic. Even apparently healthy animals can have serious organ system problems that cannot be detected without blood testing. If there is a problem, it is much better to find it before it causes anesthetic or surgical complications. Animals that have minor dysfunction will handle the anesthetic better if they receive IV fluids during surgery. If serious problems are detected, surgery can be postponed until the problem is corrected.
We offer three levels of in-house blood testing before surgery, which we will go over with you when you bring your pet in. Our doctors prefer the more comprehensive screen because it gives them the most information to ensure your pet’s safety. For geriatric or ill pets, additional blood tests, electrocardiograms, or X-rays may be required before surgery as well.
Surgery must be done on an empty stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia. You will need to withhold food for at least 8 to 10 hours before surgery. Water can be left down for the pet until the morning of surgery.
For many surgeries, we use absorbable sutures underneath the skin. These will dissolve on their own and do not need to be removed later. Some surgeries, especially tumor removals, do require skin stitches. With either type of suture, you will need to keep an eye on the incision for swelling or discharge. Most dogs and cats do not lick excessively or chew at the incision, but this is an occasional problem you will also need to watch for. If there are skin sutures, these will usually be removed 10 to 14 days after surgery. You will also need to limit your pet’s activity level for a time, and no baths are allowed for the first 10 days after surgery.
Anything that causes pain in people can be expected to cause pain in animals. Pets may not show the same symptoms of pain as people do. They usually don’t whine or cry, but you can be sure they feel it. Pain medications needed will depend on the surgery performed. Major surgeries require strong pain medications compared to other minor types of surgeries. Each pet has a pain protocol treatment plan they will have for surgery and to go home with. We follow the AAHA guidelines for pain management.
While your pet is under anesthesia, it is ideal for performing other minor procedures, such as dentistry, ear cleaning, or implanting an identification microchip. If you would like an estimate for these extra services, please call ahead of time. This is especially important if the person dropping the pet off for surgery is not the primary decision maker for the pet’s care.
When you bring your pet in for surgery, we will need 5 to 10 minutes of time to fill out paperwork and make decisions on the blood testing and other options available. When you pick up your pet after surgery, you can also plan to spend about 10 minutes going over your pet’s home care needs.
We will call you the night before your scheduled surgery appointment to confirm the time you will be dropping your pet off and to answer any questions you might have. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to call us with any questions about your pet’s health or surgery.
Canine: Basic cleaning starts at $625 - but can go up to $2800 with extractions. (Must be seen) Extractions, Dental Grade and lbs will determine pricing. Feline: $800 - 2800 (base price for cleaning/xrays - all way to full mouth extractions - Must be seen for grading, and extractions due to resorption lesions).
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