5 Common Pet Soft Tissue Surgeries

General veterinary practices offer a range of surgeries for pets, including routine procedures like spaying and neutering, as well as life-saving operations. Soft tissue surgeries and some orthopedic surgeries can usually be done in these practices, but more complicated soft tissue surgeries may need to be done at specialty veterinary hospitals. Below are five examples of the most common soft tissue surgeries performed at general veterinary practices.

#1: Spay and neuter surgeries

The most common surgeries performed in general veterinary practices are spays and neuters. These surgeries are done on a daily basis and involve removing the reproductive organs of pets. This helps to significantly reduce or eliminate the potential for various health and behavior problems in pets.

#2: Mass removal surgery

Pets can develop both benign and cancerous masses. These can grow quickly, become ulcerated, or restrict movement, breathing, or eating. Masses can be removed from different parts of the body, including the skin, ears, mouth, or abdomen.

#3: Bladder stone removal surgery

Bladder stones are common in pets and are often caused by urinary tract disease, improper diet, inadequate hydration, or genetics. Certain types of stones can be dissolved with a prescription diet, while others require surgical removal and thorough bladder flushing to prevent urinary blockage.

#4: Foreign body removal surgery

Pets such as cats and dogs have been known to ingest items that can cause blockages in their gastrointestinal tracts. As a result, several items have been extracted from their bodies. Some of the commonly found foreign bodies removed from pets include:

• Clothing, especially socks
• Bones
• Corn cobs
• Rubber and plastic toys
• Hair bands
• Thread

Dogs are pickier about what they chew, whereas cats are often drawn to string-like objects. Eating strings can be very dangerous for cats, as they can bunch up in their intestines and cut through them.

#5: Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome repair surgery

Due to the increasing popularity of brachycephalic breeds such as pugs, English bulldogs, and French bulldogs, surgeries for treating brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) are becoming more frequent. These surgeries may include procedures to widen the nostrils, shorten the soft palate, or remove the laryngeal saccules to facilitate better breathing for flat-faced pets.

If you have any questions about your pet’s soft tissue surgery, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.