5 Common Pet Soft Tissue Surgeries
Veterinary practices commonly perform a wide range of surgeries on pets, including both elective procedures like spaying or neutering and more critical life-saving operations. While general practice hospitals can typically do soft tissue surgeries and some orthopedic procedures, specialized veterinary hospitals are necessary for particularly complicated soft tissue surgeries. Here are five examples of the most frequently performed soft tissue surgeries in general veterinary practices.
#1: Foreign body removal surgery
Pets often eat things that can cause blockages in their gastrointestinal tracts, resulting in the recovery of many foreign objects from cats and dogs. Some of the things frequently removed from pets include:
- Corn cobs
- Rubber and plastic toys
- Clothing, especially socks
- Bones
- Hair bands
- Thread
Dogs are pickier when it comes to what they chew, but cats are usually attracted to string-like objects that can be extremely dangerous because they can create a blockage in the intestines and cause them to twist and tear.
Pets can develop both benign and cancerous masses, which can cause problems such as restricted movement, breathing, or eating. These masses can appear anywhere on the body, including inside the ears, mouth, or abdomen, and may grow quickly or become ulcerated. Surgery can be done to remove masses located on the skin or inside the body.
#3: Spay and neuter surgeries
The most frequently performed surgeries in general veterinary practices are spays and neuters, which are carried out almost every day. These procedures involve removing the reproductive organs to reduce or eliminate the risk of various health and behavior problems in pets.
#4: Bladder stone removal surgery
Bladder stones are a common occurrence in pets. They can be caused by urinary tract disease, poor diet, lack of hydration, or genetics. Some types of stones can be dissolved with a prescription diet, but others require surgery and bladder flushing to prevent a blockage in the urinary tract.
#5: Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome repair surgery
The prevalence of brachycephalic breeds, such as pugs, English bulldogs, and French bulldogs, is increasing, leading to a rise in the number of surgeries to repair brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). To help these flat-faced animals breathe more easily, they may require surgery to widen their nostrils, trim their soft palate, or remove laryngeal saccules.
If you have any queries regarding your pet’s upcoming soft tissue surgery, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team for clarification.