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Fear Free Surgical, Dental, & Radiology Services

South Franklin Animal Hospital proudly covers the entire spectrum of your pet’s care. From pet surgery to dental and radiology services, we are here to ensure your pet is happy and healthy!

Black and white cat at South Franklin Animal Hospital

Whether you want to bring your pet in for a pressing issue or just a standard check-up, our vets are here to help!

Call 615-595-2337

Text 615-881-9924

Surgical Procedures

We routinely provide a wide array of Surgical Procedures in our office. Some of these procedures include: Spay, Neuter, Dental Cleaning, Teeth Extractions with high speed drill, Gingivectomies and Gingival Flaps. Mass/Tumor Removal, Cherry Eye tucking, and more. Our office is equipped with top of the line machinery to make sure that your pet is cared for as you would like them to be.

As of 2019 SFAH does not offer or promote feline declaws.

At SFAH, mobile, boarded veterinary surgeon Dr. Nunley is contracted to perform surgeries for our patients. All orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries can be performed by Dr. Nunley.

Any other surgeries are referred to NVS/Nashville Veterinary Specialists.

Give us a call at 615-595-2337 today to discuss surgical care for your pet. We are here for support before, during, and after surgery. We know how stressful surgery can be for your pet and you!

If your cat is having an issue, please schedule a behavior appointment.

Call 615-595-2337 Today

Surgical Monitoring/Support

At South Franklin Animal Hospital we have strived to have the best in animal monitoring with a Surgivet unit. This unit is able to monitor EKG, pulse oximetry, End Tidal C02, Blood pressure, and Core Temperature. This type of unit is used in the human field for state of the art monitoring for surgical/anesthetic procedures. Anesthesia is not without risk, but appropriate monitoring decreases complications.

Electrocardiogram {EKG}

Measures the electrical impulse of the heart. Changes in these electrical impulses can be caused by electrolyte imbalances, respiratory disease, cancer, trauma, and heart disease. With our EKG we can immediately determine if your pet’s heart is beating in the correct rhythm, and if not why.

Pulse Oximetry/SpO2

This monitors an animal’s heart rate and blood oxygen level. Animals with problems breathing or under gas anesthetics may not be breathing in enough oxygen. This measures the oxygen level in the blood and alarms us if there is a problem. Supplying an animal in respiratory distress with nasal oxygen or altering oxygen level for a patient under anesthesia can be life saving.

End Tidal CO2

This is the state of the art in anesthesia monitoring and is the standard of monitoring anesthesia in the human field. This monitor is able to take in samples of the patient’s breath to sample for levels of inspired and expired carbon dioxide. If levels are abnormal for inspiration and/or expiration, a serious problem can be detected and anesthesia can be corrected and/or adjusted accordingly.

Blood Pressure

This is using the same type of blood pressure cuff, except specific for animals {according to size}, that is used on us. Blood pressure monitoring is important to ensure a safe plane of anesthesia and for fluid therapy adjustments. Blood pressure measuring is also great for cats that are so prone to hypertension.

Core Temperature

This is a probe that is either put in the rectum to monitor the pet’s temperature. Hypothermia is a result of anesthesia and can allow recovery to be difficult and slow, and if not addressed can be deadly. We at SFAH feel this can be the biggest overall issue in a pet’s anesthesia recovery.

Warming Units (both air and water)

Since hypothermia is such a problem with animals under anesthesia, at SFAH we have invested in state of the art warming devices. At the hospital we use both warm water units and warm air units to keep patients warm during surgery and recovery. These units along with blankets and constant monitoring allows for a warm, comfortable recovery. This is another reason SFAH is set apart from the rest.

Intravenous Fluid Therapy

All general anesthetic patients will have an Intravenous catheter and Intravenous, warm fluids administered pre, peri , and post surgery/anesthesia. At SFAH we feel this is a critical step in keeping blood pressure normalized, organs diuresed, and body warmed. This also enables if and when complications occur.

Radiology

Radiology is a useful diagnostic tool which provides our veterinarians with a view of the internal organs and skeletal system. At South Franklin Animal Hospital we have upgraded our radiology suite to offer digital radiographs. Not only is the quality of the image superior, time for development of x-rays is minutes, and images can be sent to specialists for immediate consultations. SFAH has a close network with Veterinary Radiologist {s} and Veterinary Surgeon {s} for opinions and recommendations on radiographs. At South Franklin we feel that our patients deserve the best.

Radiographs are not only used or recommended for sick animals. Preventive medicine with radiographs of hips, stifles, and elbows of large, young breeds at 6 months and again at 24 months. Ask us!

Chest Radiographs are recommended as our pet gets older too. Ask us!

Learn About National Pet Dental Health Month

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Complete Dental Care

Dental Cleaning

Oral health may be one of the most important factors in your pet’s overall well being. We perform routine check-ups on your pet’s teeth and gums, and we also recommend full cleanings a minimum of once a year. This allows us to closely examine your pet’s mouth, check for lesions or abnormalities, remove tartar and plaque {above and below gum line} , polish teeth, and apply tooth sealants.

Periodontal disease is a breed and size predilection, so certain breeds and certain sizes are more at risk and require dental cleanings more often. Periodontal disease is also linked to heart disease and other internal organ health, so regular cleanings are key to overall pet health.

To perform the dental cleaning your pet will be put under anesthesia to prevent them from moving around and to allow the doctor to perform a full examination and cleaning. We make sure that your pet is on full electronic monitoring equipment and warm during the entire process. While your pet is under the doctor examines the mouth, gums, tongue, cheeks, and teeth. This can reveal any cases of lesions, gum disease, tooth decay, or other problems.

When these are discovered, they can usually be handled during the treatment. After examining the mouth the doctor will complete a thorough cleaning, polish, and fluoride treatment above the gum line, and ultrasonic waves under the gum line to address dental disease. It is believed that the “black” bacteria that causes mouth odor, lives under the gum line. So this is a critical and often missed part of every dental cleaning. A good Chlorhexidine Solution is flushed into the mouth and gums. Fluoride foam is applied to heal/treat teeth and gums.

Dental Sealants

Dental Sealants are now being widely used in veterinary medicine. Sanos is a product applied to all teeth at the gum line to demote plaque accumulation. Research shows approximately 50% reduction of dental calculus with Sanos. For small breeds with predilection of periodontal disease, Sanos is worth the cost.

Home Dental Hygiene

Home dental hygiene is a critical follow up to a full dental cleaning. Veterinary Dental Association is now giving the veterinary field with Tier treatment for pet dental health.

Tier I: Diet
Tier 2: Treats, Chews, bones
Tier 3: Supplements- on food, in mouth/gums. Topical sprays, gels, wipes

Best home care if possible is daily brushing of a pet’s teeth. If that is not possible we offer some proven supplies to decrease mouth odor, plaque formation, gum disease, and prolong the time in between dental cleanings. Dental diets are one of the best methods to care for your pet’s dental health. The Royal Canin line of veterinary diets are dental supportive. Royal Canin Dental Diet comes in a large biscuit and a smaller biscuit great for treats and/or post meal cleaning.

SFAH promotes safe, USA made dental chews, CET chews, knuckle bones. SFAH does not recommend due to tooth fractures any kind of antler. Veterinary Health Oral Council (VHOC) approval for dental products for feline and canine.

Digital Dental Radiology

Digital Dental Radiology is coming to SFAH. We know the importance of full mouth/teeth radiographs in the human field, and know how important this is with our animals, too. Considering most of the disease process in both species is below the gumline and not visible, digital radiographs are critical to address underlying disease and pain in our pets. At SFAH we believe in having the tools to practice and offer best medicine and care of our beloved animals.

Send Your Pet With Reminders of Home

Our first effort for FAS is to ensure pets have what they need. ENSURE TO BRING BEDDING WITH FAMILIAR SMELLS, FAVORITE TREATS/BONES/TOYS, REGULAR FOOD, AND ALL MEDICATIONS. We try to address all causes of FAS in a boarding setting. Sights Sounds Smells Touch. Kennels are covered to prevent visuals that may stress. Smells are addressed with cleaning efforts. RESCUE is a cleaning agent that is hydrogen peroxide based for less offensive, harsh chemicals. Strong odors can limit a dog/cat’s normal smell for 7 to 10 days.