elective procedures

​Most common elective dog surgery procedures include:
  • Spay
  • Neuter
  • Dental extractions
  • Benign growths of the skin
Spay and Neuter

If you have owned an animal, or if you know anyone who has, chances are you have heard of the terms spay and neuter. Spaying is a term that describes the ovariohysterectomy, or the removal of portions of the reproductive system of a female dog. Neutering is a term that describes the castration, or the removal of the testicles of a male dog. Veterinarians perform these surgical procedures, which render dogs incapable of reproducing.
Dental Extractions

An RVT with specialized dental training will complete the cleaning portion of the procedure
  • Large deposits of calculus are removed using dental forceps
  • Ultrasonic scaling is performed to further remove any remaining calculus and plaque
  • Sub-gingival hand scaling is performed to remove any plaque or debris below the gum line
  • Each tooth is probed for irregularities and the gingiva are probed for pockets
  • Teeth are polished and rinsed and fluoride is applied
  • A veterinarian performs another oral examination once the teeth are free of calculus buildup
  • If extractions or additional oral surgery are necessary, it is likely to be completed at the time of treatment by the Veterinarian 
Benign growths of the skin

No matter what you call them, masses of all kinds, from harmless skin growths to malignant tumors, are actually fairly common in our furry friends.
While most are benign, we recommend examinations and fine needle aspirates for all new growths. This simple procedure allows the veterinarian to determine the nature of the growth by collecting a sample of cells and viewing them under a microscope. Occasionally, a biopsy may be also be needed. This involves collecting a small tissue sample and sending it to a laboratory for examination.

Common Urgent care procedures

  • Skin lacerations or abscess
  • Intestinal obstruction from a foreign body
  • Internal bleeding/Spleen injury
  • Torn cruciate or ACL ruptures
  • Fracture repair
  • Malignant skin tumors
  • Bladder stones/urethral blockages​
Skin Lacerations and abscess

Wound repair

Bite wounds from other animals are a common occurrence.

Wounds from objects that the animal may step on or run into are also common. Usually these wounds are simple lacerations that can be easily cleaned and sutured, sometimes using a local anesthetic.

Bite wounds, however, involve compressive and tensile forces in addition to shearing forces, and can cause separation of the skin from the underlying tissue and avulsion of underlying muscles.

Deep puncture wounds are especially prone to infection. Deeper wounds are assessed under anesthesia and explored, lavaged, and debrided. Primary wound closure is used if all remaining tissue is healthy and free of contamination. Small puncture wounds may be left open, bandaged, and allowed to heal without surgery.
Foreign body removal

A variety of non-edible objects are commonly swallowed by dogs and cats.

These foreign bodies can cause obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract causing severe vomiting and resulting electrolyte imbalances. The stomach (gastrotomy) or intestine (enterotomy) can be surgically opened to remove the foreign body.

Necrotic intestine can be removed (enterectomy) and repaired with intestinal anastomosis. Foreign bodies can also be removed by endoscopy, which although requires general anesthesia does not require surgery and significantly decreases recovery time. However, endoscopic foreign body retrieval is anatomically limited to objects lodged in the esophagus, the stomach or the colon.
Surgery for gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat)

Gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat) is a common condition in dogs in which the stomach fills with gas, and can become torsed.

​This requires immediate surgical intervention to prevent necrosis of the stomach wall and death of the dog. During surgery, the stomach is deflated and put back into its normal position. A gastropexy may be performed, whereby the stomach is attached to the body wall to prevent this condition from recurring. A splenectomy or partial gastrectomy may also be required.
Cystotomy

A cystotomy is a surgical opening of the urinary bladder. It is commonly performed in dogs and cats to remove bladder stones or tumors.
​Ophthalmic surgery

Common ophthalmic surgeries in animals include:

Enucleation of the eye to treat glaucoma or eye proptosis.
Cataract surgery
Entropion surgery
Ectropion surgery
Eyelid tumor removal
Cherry eye surgery
Exenteration (complete removal) of the orbit, especially for squamous cell carcinoma in cats.
Surgical oncology

In older dogs and cats tumors are a common occurrence, and may involve any or multiple body systems: skin, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal tract, urogentital tract, reproductive tract, cardiovascular system, spinal cord and peripheral nerves, the spleen and the lining of body cavities.

Common skin tumors include lipomas, mast cell tumors, melanomas, squamous cell carcinomas, basal cell carcinomas, fibrosarcomas, and histiocytomas. Skin tumors are removed through either simple excisions or through excisions needing reconstructive plastic surgery.

Common oral tumors include melanomas, fibrosarcomas, squamous cell carcinomas, which are removed with as much surrounding tissue as possible, including parts of the mandible and maxilla.

​Other types of cancer requiring surgery include osteosarcoma (bone), stomach and intestinal tumors, splenic masses, and urinary bladder tumors.