Veterinary soft tissue surgery encompasses any procedure involving internal organs, the body wall, or mass or tumor removal. Many pets require soft tissue surgery during their lifetime to prevent pet pregnancies or address more serious issues. Our Sixes Animal Hospital at Bridgemill team wants to provide information about these procedures, so you are prepared if your pet needs surgical care.

What is involved in a pet spay?

A pet spay is a surgical procedure to remove a female pet’s ovaries and uterus. Spaying your pet can protect them from serious health conditions, such as uterine infections and mammary cancer, and prevent your pet from experiencing heat cycles, which can disrupt your household. A pet spay involves making an incision into the pet’s abdomen, and removing the ovaries and uterus through that incision. Our veterinarian examines your pet’s abdomen to ensure bleeding is controlled, and the incision is closed in two layers. A typical cat spay takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and a typical dog spay about 20 to 90 minutes. A spay takes longer if the female pet is in heat, when their reproductive tract is more fragile and more vascular. Pets usually recover quickly, but their activity should be restricted for several days following the spay.

What is involved in a pet neuter?

A pet neuter is a surgical procedure to remove a male pet’s testicles. Neutering your pet prevents testicular cancer, reduces their prostate problem risk, and can reduce unwanted behaviors such as urine marking and mounting. A dog neuter involves making an incision between the penis and the scrotum, removing the testicles, and closing the incision in two layers, while a cat neuter involves only an incision in the scrotum and testicles removal. A typical dog neuter takes about 5 to 20 minutes, and a typical cat neuter about two minutes. Neutered pets usually recover quickly.

What is involved in a pet cystotomy?

A pet cystotomy is a surgery that involves creating an incision in the urinary bladder wall, and is performed most commonly to remove bladder stones. Other cystostomy indications include tumor removal and biopsy sampling. During the procedure, an abdominal incision is made and the urinary bladder exteriorized for better visualization. The urine is removed from the bladder, and an incision is made in the bladder across the midline. Once the bladder is open, the veterinarian will remove the abnormality or take a biopsy, close the bladder wall, ensuring no leakage will occur, and then close the abdominal wall. Most pets must remain hospitalized for a few days post surgery, and their activity is restricted for at least two weeks to allow the incision to heal. We may prescribe antibiotics and pain medications for your pet, and if we removed urinary stones, we will likely suggest a dietary change to help prevent recurrence. 

What is involved in a pet splenectomy?

A splenectomy is a procedure to partially or entirely remove the spleen, an oblong organ positioned below the stomach, to treat conditions that include splenic trauma, splenic torsion, splenic cancer, and benign splenic masses. Numerous blood vessels supply the spleen and they must be closed before the spleen can be removed, since bleeding is the most common complication associated with a splenectomy. During surgery, the pet’s packed cell volume (PCV) is monitored to ensure their circulating red blood cells don’t fall dangerously low. If significant bleeding occurs, the pet may need a blood transfusion to replace the deficit, and some pets require a pre-surgery blood transfusion to ensure they have enough red blood cells should a bleed occur. Most pets can return home after one to two days, but their activity should be restricted for at least two weeks to allow the incision to heal. Your pet may need an iron supplement after a splenectomy to help their body recover from the blood loss, and they will also likely be sent home on antibiotics and pain medications.

What is involved in a pet exploratory surgery?

Exploratory surgery, also known as a laparotomy, is commonly performed to diagnose, treat, or determine a prognosis for conditions affecting the abdominal cavity. While diagnostics, such as blood work, X-ray, and ultrasound, can provide some information about underlying conditions, these tests aren’t always conclusive, and a thorough exploratory surgery is required. The veterinarian makes a long incision in the pet’s abdomen to visualize the entire cavity, and systematically examines each abdominal structure. The final outcome will depend on the abnormalities found. The pet should be activity-restricted for at least two weeks, and they may be sent home on pain medications and antibiotics. 

Pets undergoing soft tissue surgery must be kept from disturbing their incision, and you may need to place an Elizabethan collar if they lick or chew at the area. If your pet has a condition that requires soft tissue surgery, contact our Sixes Animal Hospital at Bridgemill team, so you can rest assured they are in good hands.