Surgical Procedures For Dogs and Cats

When your pet needs surgery, it may feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, surgery in veterinary medicine has come a long way, and there are many modern options that make surgery easier for your furry friend. Our team at Crossroads Veterinary Clinic is experienced with performing veterinary surgery on cats and dogs and is here to guide you throughout the process!

Common Surgical Procedures

Our veterinarians routinely perform the following cat and dog surgery:

Mass Removals

Finding a lump on your pet can be scary, but not all bumps are bad! Mass removal surgery is all about getting rid of unwanted lumps, whether they’re on your pet's skin or deeper inside their body. After removing the mass, it gets tested to see if it’s benign (harmless) or malignant (cancerous).

In many cases, our highly-trained vets can handle mass removals. However, if the mass is in a tricky spot, our team may recommend a specialist to remove it safely and effectively.

Soft Tissue Surgery

Veterinary soft tissue surgery involves working with your pet’s organs, muscles, or other soft areas. This can include surgeries for things like bladder stones, hernias, or intestinal issues. These surgeries help fix internal problems your pet might have going on that can’t be solved with medication alone.

While our vets can take care of many of these surgeries, we may refer you to a specialist if the cat or dog soft tissue surgery involves more sensitive or complicated areas.

Gastropexy

Canine GDV, commonly referred to as “Bloat” or “stomach torsion” occurs when the Pylorus (the bottom of the stomach) rotates or flips from its normal position. This twists off the blood supply to the stomach and does not allow anything in or out of the stomach.

Gastropexy is the best preventative to protect your pet from GDV. This is a surgical procedure where the stomach is “tacked”, or sutured, into its natural position against the body wall- thus securing the stomach and preventing it from moving or twisting. Our laparoscopic technique is minimally invasive and accomplishes this through a tiny, 1 cm. incision, which has less post-operative pain and has a much quicker recovery time than previous surgical techniques commonly used.

The ideal time to have a laparoscopic gastropexy done is at the time of your dog’s spay or neuter, but it can be done at any age in combination with the spay or neuter or as a separate procedure.

Entropion Repair

Entropion repair is a surgical procedure that corrects an inward-rolling eyelid, preventing eyelashes from rubbing against the eye. A small strip of excess skin is removed from your pet’s eyelid. The procedure eliminates discomfort and protects against permanent vision damage.

Cherry Eye Repair

Cherry eye repair is a surgical procedure to correct a prolapsed tear gland in a pet’s third eyelid. The surgery repositions and secures the gland into a “pocket”. This preserves healthy tear production, which is vital to prevent chronic dry eye and vision problems.

Amputation

Amputation involves surgically removing a damaged or diseased bone, such as a limb, toe, or tail, to eliminate cancer or irreparable trauma.

Enucleation

Enucleation is the surgical removal of a pet’s eyeball and associated structures. This procedure is done to relieve chronic pain and disease. Common reasons include severe trauma, untreatable glaucoma, intraocular tumors, or painful infections.

Mastectomy

A mastectomy is the surgical removal of one or more mammary glands. This surgery is typically performed to remove cancerous or benign mammary tumors.

Splenectomy

A splenectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the spleen. This surgery is often required when a mass is detected on the spleen. If a splenic mass ruptures, this will cause severe internal bleeding and may require a transfer to an emergency veterinary center.

Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO)

FHO is a surgical procedure that removes the head and neck of the femur. This procedure is commonly performed to treat hip dysplasia, fractures, severe arthritis, and hip luxation.

Perineal Urethrostomy (PU)

Perineal urethrostomy is a surgery for male cats that permanently widens the urethra to prevent life-threatening urinary blockages. It is typically recommended if a cat experiences chronic, recurring blockages or has a urethra that is too damaged or narrow to pass stones, mucus plugs, or inflammation.

Laser Surgery

Veterinary laser surgery uses a focused beam of light to cut or remove tissue. It’s ideal for delicate work, like oral surgeries or removing small skin growths. Cat and dog laser surgery usually means less pain, less bleeding, and a faster recovery for your pet.

Pet Surgery in Three Rivers

Veterinary medicine has a ton of advanced tools to help your pet heal safely and quickly from surgery. Whether your pet needs a mass removed or a more specialized procedure like laser surgery, we’ve got you covered. And if your pet needs more advanced care, we’ll make sure you’re connected with the right specialist.

If you have questions or concerns about the surgical procedures we offer at Crossroads Veterinary Clinic, call us at (269) 278-1345 or book an appointment online below!