Rise Pet Health Veterinary Surgery in Laguna Hills, CA
How do you choose the best surgeon for your pet? Just like you would for yourself.
Meet Rise. We’re a newer privately owned Specialty and Emergency veterinary hospital setting a new standard in Veterinary Surgery.
Our board-certified surgeons, Dr. Simon and Dr. Nucci have been working together for over 9 years and employ some of the most advanced techniques and cutting-edge equipment.
We’ve modeled our hospital and practices after human medicine and assembled a stellar team including some of the brightest technicians in our region … All so that we can deliver the top-notch care your pet deserves.
Rise Surgery does everything the other veterinary surgery centers do… and more
Medicine is a team sport, and the Rise team is here for you & your pet.
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Our board-certified doctors in Oncology, Neurology, and Internal Medicine frequently collaborate, bringing the best minds together to heal your pet.
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Rise’s dedicated ICU (unique in our industry) is overseen by our board-certified Critical Care doctors, ensuring your pet’s access to the highest quality care for more complicated surgeries.
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Rise provides one of the most technologically advanced environments in Southern California, enabling our team to deliver exemplary care for your pet.
Leveraging 3D Printing to Deliver Superior Results
Dr. Nucci and his team create custom 3D prints made in-house, which can enhance surgical outcomes by:
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creating precise anatomical models that are used for preoperative planning in complex procedures
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building guides to ensure precise bone cuts for angulated limbs, reducing surgery time
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creating highly customized implants to perfectly fit reconstructed bones
Dr. Nucci is the only veterinary surgeon in Orange County with this expertise, and is proud to supply surgery teams across the world with 3D printed pieces for their patients.
Rise Veterinary Surgery Services in Laguna Hills, CA
VETERINARY SURGERY
Minimally Invasive Surgery
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Arthroscopy
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Laparoscopic
Adrenalectomy
Cholecystectomy
Gastropexy
OHE
Near Infrared imaging -
Thoracoscopy
Chylothorax
Pericardiectomy
Advanced Abdominal Surgery
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Adrenalectomies
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Portosystemic Shunt
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Abdominal Exploratory
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Liver lobectomy
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Nephrectomy
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Cholecystectomy
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Bladder surgery and reconstruction
Orthopedic Surgery & Management
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Extracapsular Stifle Stabilization
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Custom orthotic devices and supports
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Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO)
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Open Hip Luxation (Toggle Pin)
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Fracture Fixation
Internal and External Fixation
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Angular limb deformity correction
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Medial Patella Luxation
Soft Tissue Surgery
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Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome
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Salivary Mucocele
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Surgery of the Ear canal
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Nasopharyngeal and aural polyps
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Wounds and burns
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Skin reconstruction (flaps, grafts, Wound Vac)
Thoracic Surgery
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Lung lobectomies
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Chylothorax
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Esophageal surgery
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Foreign body removal
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PRAA
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PDA ligation
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Pericardiectomy
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Spontaneous Pneumothorax
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Rib resection
Oncologic Surgery
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Adrenal Tumors
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Limb Amputation
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Mammary Tumors
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Parathyroid Tumors
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Splenic Tumors
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Thyroid Tumors
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Lung Tumors
Emergency Surgery
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C-section
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Abdominal Exploratory
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Foreign Body Obstruction
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Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (Bloat)
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Hemoabdomen
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Polytrauma
Maxillofacial Surgery
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Mandibulectomy
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Maxillectomy
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Maxillofacial Fractures
ADVANCED TESTING & DIAGNOSTICS
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Arthrocentesis
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Soft tissue and bone biopsy
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Computed Tomography (CT)
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Digital X-ray
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
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Ultrasonography
REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
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PRP
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Stem cells
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Shock wave
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Cold laser
Veterinary Surgery FAQ
General Surgery & Safety
A board-certified veterinary surgeon (DACVS) has completed years of additional training beyond veterinary school, including a rigorous residency and certification process. At Rise Pet Health in Laguna Hills, our surgeons, Dr. Simon and Dr. Nucci, are experts in complex orthopedic, soft tissue, and oncologic procedures. This advanced expertise ensures your pet receives the highest standard of surgical care, similar to the specialization found in human medicine.
Anesthesia is a common concern for pet parents. We treat anesthesia with the same seriousness as human hospitals. Our veterinary surgery team includes dedicated anesthesia monitoring professionals who track your pet’s vitals—heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels—throughout the entire procedure. Before surgery, we perform comprehensive blood work to tailor an anesthetic plan specifically for your pet’s age and health profile, minimizing risks for senior pets or those with pre-existing conditions.
One of the most distinctive things about Rise is how our doctors work collaboratively to help your pet. Additionally, our facility features a dedicated ICU overseen by board-certified Critical Care specialists, ensuring your pet is never left alone during recovery. We also collaborate with our internal oncology, neurology, and internal medicine departments to provide comprehensive care that a standalone clinic often cannot offer.
Orthopedics & Advanced Technology
Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) is the gold-standard surgical treatment for cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tears in dogs. This procedure stabilizes the knee joint, significantly reducing pain and the development of arthritis. It is often the best option for active dogs or larger breeds. During your consultation, our surgeons will evaluate your dog’s specific injury to determine if TPLO is the most effective path to restoring their mobility.
Rise Pet Health is one of the few centers in Orange County to offer in-house 3D printing for veterinary surgery. Dr. Nucci utilizes this technology to create precise anatomical models of your pet’s bones before surgery. This allows for:
- Preoperative planning: We can "practice" the surgery on the model first.
- Custom implants: We can create guides and implants tailored perfectly to your pet’s unique anatomy.
- Reduced surgery time: More precision means less time under anesthesia and a faster recovery for your pet.
One of the most distinctive things about Rise is how our doctors work collaboratively to help your pet. Additionally, our facility features a dedicated ICU overseen by board-certified Critical Care specialists, ensuring your pet is never left alone during recovery. We also collaborate with our internal oncology, neurology, and internal medicine departments to provide comprehensive care that a standalone clinic often cannot offer.
Whenever possible, we utilize minimally invasive techniques such as arthroscopy (joints), laparoscopy (abdomen), and thoracoscopy (chest). These "keyhole" surgeries use tiny cameras and specialized instruments, resulting in:
- Smaller incisions and less scarring.
- Significantly less post-operative pain.
- Faster recovery times, getting your pet back to their normal life sooner.
Preparation & Recovery
Generally, you will need to withhold food from your pet starting at 10:00 PM the night before surgery, though water is usually permitted until the morning of the procedure. We will provide you with a specific pre-surgical packet detailing any medication adjustments. Please bring any current medications and special food your pet requires when you drop them off at our Laguna Hills animal hospital.
Recovery varies by procedure, but for major orthopedic surgeries like TPLO or fracture repair, you should expect restricted activity for 8–12 weeks. This means no running, jumping, or playing, and using a leash for all bathroom breaks. We will provide you with detailed discharge instructions, pain management protocols, and can refer you to rehabilitation specialists to help speed up healing.
Pain management is a top priority at Rise Pet Health. We use a multi-modal approach, combining local nerve blocks, injectable medications, and oral pain relievers to ensure your pet is comfortable before, during, and after their procedure. Our 24/7 emergency and critical care team constantly monitors recovering patients to adjust pain relief immediately if signs of discomfort arise.
While many of our patients are referred by local veterinarians across Southern California, you can also contact us directly to schedule a consultation. If you have recent X-rays or blood work from your primary vet, please have them emailed to us prior to your appointment so our surgeons can review your pet’s history.