Surgery

Veterinary surgical team operating on a pet in the clinic
Finding out your pet needs surgery brings a wave of questions all at once. You want to know whether the procedure is truly necessary, what the risks look like, how long recovery will take, and whether your pet will be in capable hands while they are away from you. Those questions are completely reasonable, and getting honest, straightforward answers before any decision is made is exactly how it should go. At Great Plains Veterinary Clinic, part of our broader veterinary services is a commitment to walking every family through the full picture before a single procedure is scheduled. Dr. Jessica Johnson, a 2017 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, leads surgical care at the clinic with a focus on transparency, personalized planning, and close attention to your pet’s comfort throughout the entire process. Serving Vaughn, Cascade County, Sun River, Fort Shaw, and surrounding communities, we are here to make sure you and your pet are prepared and supported from the first conversation to recovery at home.

Soft Tissue Surgery in Vaughn

Dr. Johnson performs a range of soft tissue surgical procedures in-house, using modern equipment, strict safety protocols, and pain management tailored to each patient. Every surgical case begins with a review of your pet’s health history and pre-anesthetic bloodwork, so we have a clear, current picture of your animal before any procedure begins.

Soft tissue surgeries we routinely perform include:

Spay & Neuter
Routine sterilization procedures performed in-house with full anesthetic monitoring and post-operative pain management.
Mass & Tumor Removal
Excision of skin masses, lumps, and soft tissue growths, with careful pathology referral when indicated.
Bladder Stone Removal
Surgical removal of urinary stones causing obstruction or recurring infections that do not resolve with dietary management.
Gastrointestinal Surgery
Intestinal resection, foreign body removal, and bloat surgery for pets with acute or chronic GI conditions.
Wound & Injury Repair
Laceration closure, bite wound debridement, and traumatic injury repair with appropriate antibiotic and pain protocols.
Soft Palate Correction
Surgical correction for brachycephalic breeds experiencing airway obstruction due to an elongated soft palate.

Whether a procedure is routine or more involved, your pet is closely monitored from the moment anesthesia begins through full recovery. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, anesthesia is best understood as a continuum of care that extends from preparation at home through the return home after the procedure, and our team approaches every surgical case with that same standard of thorough, end-to-end monitoring. After surgery, we provide detailed discharge instructions and remain available to answer questions as your pet heals.

Orthopedic and Advanced Surgical Procedures

For orthopedic and more advanced surgical procedures, Great Plains Veterinary Clinic coordinates with a visiting surgeon. This arrangement allows pets in Cascade County to access TPLO surgery, ACL repair, fracture repair, reconstructive procedures, and other specialized surgeries without requiring a referral to Great Falls or Bozeman.

The benefit to your pet is continuity: Dr. Johnson and our team handle all pre-surgical preparation, anesthesia, and post-operative care, while the visiting surgeon performs the procedure itself. Your pet stays in familiar hands throughout, with a team that already knows their history and temperament. If you are wondering whether a complex procedure is an option closer to home, we can consult on your pet’s case and help you understand whether coordinating with our visiting surgeon makes sense.

Have Questions About an Upcoming Procedure?
We walk every family through the full plan before anything is scheduled. Great Plains Veterinary Clinic — Vaughn’s top-rated veterinary clinic.

What to Expect Before, During, and After Surgery

Every surgical case at Great Plains Veterinary Clinic follows the same three-phase approach, from your first conversation through your pet’s return home:

1
Before Surgery
Full health history review, pre-anesthetic bloodwork, and a complete walkthrough of the procedure so no question goes unanswered before your pet comes in.
2
During Surgery
Continuous anesthetic monitoring from induction through recovery. Dental health is assessed as part of pre-surgical evaluation when relevant. Pain protocols are individualized to each patient.
3
After Surgery
Specific discharge instructions for your pet’s procedure, not a generic handout. We walk you through what healing looks like, signs to watch for, and when to call us.

Choose Great Plains Veterinary Clinic for Pet Surgery in Vaughn, MT

Great Plains Veterinary Clinic holds a perfect 5.0-star rating from the Vaughn community, built on a reputation for clear communication, honest recommendations, and care that genuinely follows through. Dr. Johnson opened this clinic because she believed pets in rural Montana deserved the same quality of surgical care available in larger markets, delivered by a team that knows your pet by name. We accept CareCredit and ScratchPay to help make surgical care accessible, and you can review payment options on our website. Learn more about Dr. Johnson before your first appointment, or reach out through our contact page to schedule a consultation and talk through your pet’s surgical needs.

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Choose Great Plains Veterinary Clinic for Pet Surgery in Vaughn, MT

Great Plains Veterinary Clinic holds a perfect 5.0-star rating from the Vaughn community, built on a reputation for clear communication, honest recommendations, and care that genuinely follows through. Dr. Johnson opened this clinic because she believed pets in rural Montana deserved the same quality of surgical care available in larger markets, delivered by a team that knows your pet by name. We accept CareCredit and ScratchPay to help make surgical care accessible, and you can review payment options on our website. Learn more about Dr. Johnson before your first appointment, or reach out through our contact page to schedule a consultation and talk through your pet’s surgical needs.

Cat recovering after surgery at Great Plains Veterinary Clinic

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