5 Common Pet Soft Tissue Surgeries
Many pets require various surgeries, including both routine elective procedures like spaying or neutering and essential operations to save their lives. Soft tissue and some orthopedic surgeries are typically done in general veterinary hospitals. However, there are some complex soft-tissue surgeries that require specialized veterinary hospitals. Here are five commonly performed soft-tissue surgeries in general veterinary practices.
#1: Foreign body removal surgery
Pets often ingest items that can cause blockages in their gastrointestinal tracts, leading to the recovery of various foreign bodies. Some of the commonly removed items from cats and dogs include:
- Corn cobs
- Clothing, especially socks
- Bones
- Rubber and plastic toys
- Hair bands
- Thread
Dogs are more careful about what they chew on, but cats are often interested in string-like objects that can cause serious harm by getting tangled in their intestines and cutting through them.
#2: Mass removal surgery
Pets can develop a variety of masses that can be benign or cancerous. These lumps and bumps can grow rapidly, become ulcerated, or form in a spot that restricts movement, breathing, or eating. Masses can be surgically removed from the skin or inside the ears, mouth, or abdomen.
#3: Spay and neuter surgeries
The surgeries that are most frequently performed in regular veterinary practices are spaying and neutering. These surgeries involve the removal of reproductive organs and are done on a daily basis. The main purpose of these surgeries is to prevent various health and behavioral problems in pets.
#4: Bladder stone removal surgery
Bladder stones in pets are a common occurrence and are caused by urinary tract disease, improper diet, inadequate hydration, or genetics. Prescription diets can dissolve stones of a certain composition, but other types of stones require surgical removal and thorough bladder flushing to prevent urinary blockage.
#5: Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome repair surgery
Surgeries to repair brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) are becoming more frequent as the popularity of breeds such as pugs, English bulldogs, and French bulldogs grow. These breeds may require surgeries like nostril opening, soft palate shortening, or laryngeal sac removal to improve their breathing due to their flat faces.
If you have any questions about the soft tissue surgery that your pet will undergo soon, feel free to contact our team for answers.