Surgical Suites

Scrubbing up for surgery

We are very proud of our Surgical Suites (operating theatres). The purpose-built surgical facilities at Alpine Animal Doctors are as good as any you will find in any veterinary practice anywhere in Australia, and better than most.

We have invested heavily in the most technologically advanced equipment to ensure that, even during the most arduous and complicated surgery your fur babies will have the best possible chance of a successful outcome and a rapid and full recovery.

Our philosophy is that your pets deserve the same level of facilities people expect when they go into hospital for surgery. A veterinary operating theatre needs to be properly equipped to do the job, and to do it with minimal trauma.

Hospital opening hours

  • Monday: 8.30 to 5.30
  • Tuesday 8.30 to 5.30
  • Wednesday: 9 to 1
  • Thursday: 8.30 to 5.30
  • Friday: 8.30 to 5.30
  • Saturday: 9 to 1
  • Sunday: Closed

7047 Great Alpine Road,
Porepunkah, VIC 3740

Current and prospective clients are always welcome to inspect the hospital facilities at Alpine Animal Doctors. Clinic tours are strictly by appointment and can only be conducted when sterile areas (e.g., operating theatres) are not in use.

To make an appointment please call…

5756 2444

Inside our operating theatres

Every veterinary practice undertakes some surgical procedures. In smaller clinics the surgery will often simply be a room out the back with a table and some anaesthetic equipment and used only for simple procedures. Here at Alpine Animal Doctors we undertake far more surgery than the average vet clinic, often performing complex operations, both soft tissue and orthopaedic and our theatre facilities need to be a big step above average.

The difference in our facilities begins before your pet even reaches the operating theatre. All surgical prep — where the patient will be sedated, clipped and shaved — is isolated from the sterile environment of the theatre for maximum hygiene. All surgical instruments are sterilised before and after use and everything to be used in the procedure, including swabs and sutures, is counted before and after surgery.

The operating theatre itself is a purpose built area designed for maximum efficiency and sterility. Our theatres are completely self-contained, with climate control and HEPA air filters that circulate only the air in the surgery, preventing cross-contamination to or from other areas of the hospital.

Our operating tables are custom-built and adjustable, allowing us to position an animal exactly where the surgeon needs it to be, and at the correct angle to present the relevant portion of the animal’s anatomy. We use only the highest quality medical grade stainless steel surgical tools — saws, chisels and drills etc.

All radiographs can be transmitted to high resolution computer monitors in theatre, allowing the surgeon to refer to any relevant x-rays during surgery.

At the heart of our facilities are the state-of-the-art machines we use to deliver anaesthesia to your pet and to monitor their vital signs during an operation.

The hospital is equipped with Drager Fabius GS machines, identical to anaesthesia equipment used in many public and private hospitals. Our philosophy is ‘safety first’ so we have a number of these machines, across two surgical facilities, for multiple redundancy in case of equipment failure. Each machine has a 6-hour battery backup to ensure they continue working in the event of a power failure. All other electronic equipment in the theatre is also covered by UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), guaranteeing that we can complete an operation should the power go out.

All anaesthetic machines and gas lines are fitted with individual anti-bacterial and viral filters to further minimise the possibility of cross-infection or contamination.

In addition to this crucial anaesthetic equipment our theatres are also equipped with an extensive array of machines that allow us to precisely monitor the vital signs of your pet during surgery.

All patients are attached to devices that record heart rate and rhythm, respiration and rhythm, oxygen levels, the amount of anaesthetic in their blood, blood pressure and ECG. We think this additional monitoring is critical to ensure the best outcome for your pet, particularly for senior animals. At least one qualified veterinary nurse is always in attendance to assist during all surgical procedures and to monitor the patient’s vital signs.

We also have our own blood bank at the hospital with small supplies of whole blood for the rare occasions when an animal may require a blood transfusion.

Wherever possible all procedures are carried out via ‘keyhole surgery’, using our endoscopy and arthroscopy facilities.

Veterinary surgery is about more than just neutering and minor operations for things like removing dew claws. Repairing a damaged cruciate ligament, excising a cancerous tumour, pinning a badly broken bone or undertaking gastrointestinal surgery can be very complex. While there will always be risks associated with any surgical procedure, when you choose your vet you want to be confident that they can tackle the hard jobs. At Alpine Animal Doctors we bring Dr. Bek’s years of experience and extensive surgical skills together with our superb hospital facilities to ensure the best possible outcomes for your pets.

Find all of our veterinary services here...

Dr. Bek performs delicate and complex surgery on Major, a British Bulldog suffering from Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome. This kind of surgery can only be carried out in fully equipped operating theatres.
One of the anaesthesia machines used in our operating theatres.
We maintain a supply of whole blood for transfusions.

TOUR OUR HOSPITAL FACILITIES

Use the links below to visit each of our hospital departments and discover the extensive range of clinical and surgical facilities you'll find at Alpine Animal Doctors.

Diagnostic Tools

Pathology Lab

Radiology Suite

Surgical Suite

Dentistry Suite

ICU & Recovery Wards

VETERINARY SERVICES

Our state-of-the-art hospital technology allows us to offer our clients an extensive range of services for all animals. Click here to discover our full range of veterinary services.

E&OE. The information provided in the articles on this site is intended as a guide to assist readers to become better informed about health issues that may affect their pets and livestock. They are not a substitute for appropriate veterinary advice and treatment. They should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any individual animal and no person should place reliance on information derived from them, where such reliance may result in loss, damage or injury. Always consult a qualified veterinarian to obtain advice.

Although Alpine Animal Doctors make every effort to ensure that the information contained in our articles is accurate and up-to-date we can accept no responsibility for errors or omissions that may occur.