717-599-6131 info@hrvss.com
  • Facebook
  • Facebook
Harrisburg Regional Veterinary Surgical Specialty
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • About Dr. Zeltzman
    • About Dr. Baia
    • Success Stories
    • Referring Vet Testimonials
    • Secret Vault
    • Careers
    • Payment Options
    • Pet Surgery Questions
    • FAQs
    • SAQs
    • LEAVE A REVIEW
  • Referral Form
  • Services
    • Surgical Services
    • TPLO
    • Orthopedics
    • Soft Tissue
    • Tumor/
      Cancer Surgery
    • Post-Op
    • Pain
    • Pharmacy
    • Emergency Surgery
  • Contact
  • Blog
Select Page
Why is my pet in pain?

Why is my pet in pain?

by Harrisburg Regional Veterinary Surgical Specialty | Mar 7, 2023 | Secret Vault

Pain management is a bit of an obsession at Harrisburg Regional (www.HRVSS.com). We use multiple drugs and techniques to decrease pain before, during and after surgery. Let’s go over 7 myths and misconceptions we hear all too often.   1. My pet doesn’t cry,...
10 Tips to Choose a Veterinary Surgeon

10 Tips to Choose a Veterinary Surgeon

by Harrisburg Regional Veterinary Surgical Specialty | Feb 1, 2023 | Secret Vault

Are you looking for a veterinary surgeon? If you are starving for tacos or tapas, how do you know who where to go? If you need a new a car with great features, where do you find information? If your pet needs surgery, who should you trust? You likely know exactly...
Cancer is a word, not a sentence

Cancer is a word, not a sentence

by Harrisburg Regional Veterinary Surgical Specialty | Jan 30, 2023 | Secret Vault

This brilliant expression is borrowed from John Diamond (1953-2001), a British broadcaster and journalist. “Cancer is a word, not a sentence”… what a witty statement. As pet owners provide better vaccinations, better dental care, better food, better medications,...

Follow Us!

  • Facebook

Subscribe to our Blog using the form below:

Loading

20 Questions to Ask Before Your Pet’s Surgery

Trusting your vet or a surgeon with doing surgery on your beloved pet is not as easy as it sounds. It requires a lot of trust.
To help you establish that trust, here are some questions I feel are reasonable to ask your vet or your surgeon.

  • Are you a board-certified surgeon, i.e. a true specialist?
  • What’s my pet’s exact diagnosis?
  • What are ALL of the treatment options?
  • What is the name of the specific surgery you recommend?
  • What is the purpose of the surgery?
  • Why do you think this surgery is a better option than the other ones?
  • Is my pet a good candidate for this surgery?
  • Who is the best person to do the surgery?
  • How many of these surgeries have you done in your career?
  • How many of them have you done in the last year?
  • What are the possible risks and complications?
  • How common are they in general? How about in your hands?
  • What is your success rate?
  • Are there additional tests required before surgery?
  • How will my pet be monitored during and especially after surgery?
  • How long will the surgery take, and how long will my pet need to stay at the clinic?
  • If there is an overnight stay, who will supervise my pet?
  • How will pain be assessed and addressed?
  • How long will it take for my pet to fully recover?
  • What are the postop care instructions and restrictions?
Even though this list looks long, and seems like it would take hours to answer, a good surgeon should answer many of these questions during the consultation anyway.

So check those questions off as they go, and ask the remaining questions after that.

It’s critical to have open and transparent communication with your surgeon to ensure you make an informed decision about your pet’s surgery.

If you would like to learn how we can help your pet with safe surgery and anesthesia, please contact us using the button below

Contact Us 
 
 
 
 
  EXCELLENT  
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5.0.7 
 Based on 63 reviews 
 
 
 Google 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google Google 
 
 Linda Cheskey profile picture 
 
 
 Linda Cheskey 
 
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
The whole staff was super. They talked to you what the whole procedure  was going to be . The dr. Came out and explained  everything and the nurse called me about the updates. I was really  happy  with everything.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google Google 
 
 Dana Broughton profile picture 
 
 
 Dana Broughton 
 
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
The staff was friendly. The doctor called the night before to go over surgery and answer any questions. They updated me on what was happening on surgery day. My dog wouldn't settle after surgery so they let her come home with me to get some sleep. When I picked her up, the staff wrote notes about my dog on the folder. Overall a great experience.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google Google 
 
 Nancy profile picture 
 
 
 Nancy 
 
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
From pre surgery for Annie to now, 8 weeks later, everyone was above and beyond with keeping me updated, answering my questions and making sure Annie was recovering as she should. 10 Stars!!!!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google Google 
 
 Susan Crossland profile picture 
 
 
 Susan Crossland 
 
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
So very caring staff, loved my girl and kept her comfortable after her Tplo Surgery, will be going back for her other leg. The doctor was very informative about what was to be performed. Cinnamon sporting her cone. Thank you for taking great care of my baby.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google Google 
 
 Kevin Rhoads profile picture 
 
 
 Kevin Rhoads 
 
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
When our large dog suffered an unusual fracture of his L hind leg, we reached out to HRVSS to repair the leg. Upon examination, Dr.Baia discovered osteosarcoma in the leg. He was very direct and to the point in delivering this news but did it as compassionately as he was able. He communicated the options well and reiterated them again just prior to surgery. The staff at HRVSS were caring and respectful, with special thanks from us going out to Michelle. I believe you would be hard pressed to find a more caring and dedicated person to work with. Anytime I had questions or concerns there was always timely communication which helped to ease a stressful situation. The leg has healed quite well and allows our dog to get around normally. If you follow the post-surgery directions provided by HRVSS, your dog's recovery will be successful.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google Google 
 
 Stacey Cassner profile picture 
 
 
 Stacey Cassner 
 
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Our experience with HRVSS has been truly amazing. They are so informative, respond to questions day and night and really look out for the best interest of your fur baby. Our Mazi girl (English Mastiff) had a torn ACL and needed surgery. They walked us through every step of the process, called, texted, checked in from the very beginning to the end of healing. They are an amazing team of professionals that made us feel like we were their only patient. You will not get better treatment anywhere else!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google Google 
 
 David Dill profile picture 
 
 
 David Dill 
 
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
This practice has the most dedicated & caring staff!  They treat you & your fur baby as a loved one.  Along with their surgical expertise, your pet could not be in better hands.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google Google 
 
 Bob R profile picture 
 
 
 Bob R 
 
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
In September 2024 my 6 year old yellow Lab Marcus was diagnosed with a torn ACL. After Researching approximately 30 area surgical vets and reading their reviews I happened to across Dr. Zeltsman page and I was impressed by his outstanding reviews.  So I contacted Dr. Zeltzman and spoke with him personally several times before setting up an appointment for Marcus‘s TPLO surgery In October.  Dr. Zaltzman and his associate Dr. Baia did an outstanding job with my boy’s surgery.  It’s now February 4, months after Marcus‘s surgery and he’s fully healed and acting like his old self again.  I can’t say enough about the doctors and their concern staff as they help me through the surgery and the months of recovery afterwards.  Since Marcus had his surgery, I’ve had two friends ask me who did his surgery and if I would recommend them. I didn’t hesitate and  recommended HRVSS.
  
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 Verified by Trustindex  
Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

We help your pet get back to feeling their best.

Privately owned Harrisburg Regional Veterinary Surgical Specialty is the first and only local veterinary surgery center in the Harrisburg area. We partner with your family vet to provide your pet with surgical expertise in orthopedic, “soft tissue” and cancer surgery. All we do is surgery!

We proudly serve pets in Pennsylvania (Dauphin County, York, Lancaster, Lebanon, State College, Reading, Wilkes-Barre & Scranton, Progress, Colonial Park, Hershey, Elizabethtown, Carlisle, Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Stroudsburg, Enola, Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg, Good Hope, Camp Hill, Dillsburg, Boiling Springs, York, Gettysburg, Lancaster, Lititz, Middletown), New Jersey (Phillipsburg, Blairstown, Morris Plains, Trenton), New York (Manhattan, Buffalo), Washington DC, Delaware, Maryland (Baltimore, Gaithersburg), West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, and even Florida!

Need a hotel? We have so many clients from out of town and out of state that we created a list of nearby pet-friendly hotels.
Simply ask for it, so you don't have to reinvent the wheel.



Location

989 East Park Drive, Suite A
Harrisburg, PA 17111



Contact Info

P: 717-599-6131
E: info@hrvss.com

}

Hours

By appointment only.

Sister Location



LRVSS

Visit Website
4473 Hanoverville Road
Bethlehem, PA 18020

We will be in touch with you!

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 15 files.

Have questions?

Click the button below or call us directly at 717-599-6131. We'll be here to answer any and all of your questions.

CALL US
©2026 Harrisburg Regional Veterinary Surgical Specialty | Powered by PetDesk
  • Follow