Surgery is never “routine” when it’s your pet.

At The inFURmary in Scripps Ranch, San Diego, every procedure—big or small—is handled with specialist-level oversight, advanced pain control, and a deep understanding of how it feels to be in your shoes.

What sets our surgical care apart

We know surgery can be nerve-wracking. You’re trusting us with someone who can’t tell you what hurts. Our job is to make that trust well placed with transparent communication, expert care, and a recovery plan that prioritizes your cat or dog’s comfort from start to finish.

Our surgery suite is equipped for both routine procedures and advanced operations, with the same focus: precision, safety, and comfort.

Every pet’s surgery benefits from Dr. Johnson’s extensive training in orthopedics, soft tissue repair, and pain management. She designed our protocols to match what you’d find at a specialty hospital at a more cost-effective price.

Routine surgery

Spay and neuter surgeries for dogs and cats

Mass care

Mass removals and reconstructive closures

Internal surgery

Bladder stone (cystotomy) and intestinal surgeries

Orthopedics

Orthopedic repairs and ligament stabilization (including TPLOs)

Soft-tissue

Complex soft-tissue procedures (abdominal, oncologic, or reconstructive)

When a case calls for it, we bring board-certified surgeons directly to our hospital so your pet receives referral-level care right here, without the stress of a new environment or another waiting list.

Your pet’s safety and comfort come first

Every surgical plan at The inFURmary starts long before the procedure. We perform pre-anesthetic bloodwork, imaging, and risk assessment for each pet, customizing anesthesia protocols to their age, breed, and health status.

During surgery, your pet’s heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen, and temperature are continuously monitored by trained technicians and advanced equipment. But our biggest differentiator is pain management.

Advanced pet pain management: our specialty

Dr. Johnson is one of the few veterinarians in San Diego with fellowship-level certification in pain management. Every surgery follows a multimodal plan built for comfort and safety so that your pet wakes up calm, comfortable, and cared for. That includes:

Balanced anesthesia

We use multiple drug types to keep doses low and safety high

Continuous rate infusions (CRIs)

Constant, precise IV pain relief throughout and after surgery

Targeted local blocks

From targeted nerve blocks to extended-release local anesthetics lasting up to three days

Post-op pain scoring

We talk through diet, weight, and lifestyle goals

After surgery: recovery with reassurance

We’ll send you home with clear instructions, realistic expectations, and an open line for questions. Dr. Johnson and her team personally follow up after every procedure to check progress and pain levels. Our goal is to ensure you never feel like you’re managing your cat or dog’s surgical recovery alone.

Common Questions We Get Asked About Pet Surgery

We’ll never recommend surgery unless it’s the best or only path to a better outcome. Before we schedule anything, we walk you through what’s going on, what we’re worried about, and what your options are. If there’s a non-surgical way to treat the problem, we’ll talk about it first.

It’s a big decision and you shouldn’t have to make it in the dark. We’ll talk through what success looks like, what recovery involves, and how it might impact your pet’s comfort and quality of life. Our goal isn’t to pressure you; it’s to give you the clarity to make the right call for your pet and your family.

Because it involves more than just the operation. Every surgery includes anesthesia, monitoring, sterile equipment, pain management, trained surgical staff, and follow-up care. We price transparently and work to keep specialty-level medicine accessible—without cutting corners on safety or comfort.

Your pet will go home with detailed instructions and our direct contact information. We check in regularly and adjust pain control as needed. Every recovery is different, but you’ll never have to guess what’s normal or what’s not because we’ll guide you every step of the way.

Complications are rare, but they can happen with any surgery. What matters most is how quickly they’re caught and addressed. We give you clear signs to watch for and stay available for questions or rechecks. You’ll never be left to figure it out alone.

We understand how hard that position is. Our job is to help you make informed, realistic decisions, not to make you feel guilty. We’ll explain what’s most urgent, what can wait, and what resources might help you move forward. Compassion is part of good medicine.

Mostly: rest, patience, and communication. We’ll show you how to keep incisions clean, limit movement, and recognize pain or swelling early. You’ll leave with written instructions, medications, and the reassurance that you can reach us anytime with questions.

Yes. The inFURmary performs orthopedic surgeries, including TPLO procedures, right here in Scripps Ranch, San Diego, in partnership with a board-certified surgeon. Your pet receives specialty-level expertise and Dr. Johnson’s advanced pain management, all under one roof.

You already have! The inFURmary provides advanced surgical care for dogs and cats across Scripps Ranch, Poway, Rancho Peñasquitos, Mira Mesa, and greater San Diego. Whether your pet needs a routine procedure or a complex repair, our team will help you navigate the process with clarity and compassion.

If your pet needs surgery, start with a conversation.

Surgery doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Schedule a consultation, ask your questions, and let us walk you through the process step by step. Book an appointment today to meet the surgical team that’s changing what “routine” looks like in San Diego veterinary care.