Veterinary Surgical Procedures: What You Need To Know
As a pet owner, you know exactly how crucial it is to keep your pet healthy and happy. But sometimes, that indicates undergoing surgeries. Veterinary surgical operations can be frightening for any pet parent, but learning what and the types of available procedures can help make the process much less stressful. Here are some of the frequently performed veterinary surgical procedures.
Soft Tissue Surgery
Soft tissue surgical treatment includes any procedure that involves organs or tissues within the body cavity. This surgical operation is typically utilized to diagnose and treat cancer cells, lumps, hernias, cysts, and abscesses. It can also fix damaged organs or tissues due to trauma or infection.
C-Sections
C-sections are commonly performed to deliver puppies or kittens into the world safely. C-sections are also performed if there are complications during delivery or if a pet requires specialized care after birth. During a C-section, a veterinarian will make an incision in the mother’s abdomen and uterus to safely deliver the puppies or kitties.
Mass Removal
Mass removal is typically utilized for lumps or tumors on pets’ skin, although internal masses can also be removed if needed. Throughout mass removal surgery, a veterinarian will make an incision around the mass to remove it from the body. The mass is then sent off for biopsy so it can be examined more carefully by pathologists and examined for malignancy or other concerns.
Wounds
Wounds on pets may require surgical intervention if they are too deep or too big for topical medications to heal them properly. The veterinary surgeon might need to perform stitches or sutures, depending on the location and size of the wound, to promote healing.
Orthopedic Surgery
When a pet has been hurt because of trauma or degenerative joint disease (such as arthritis), the pet may require orthopedic surgery to reduce discomfort and restore mobility in that area of the body again. Typical orthopedic surgical procedures consist of the following:
- Hip dysplasia repair
- Fracture repair
- Cruciate ligament repair (ACL)
- Patellar luxation repair (knee cap)
- Elbow dysplasia repair
- Tendon repair/ligament reconstruction (tendonitis)
- Meniscal tear fixing (cartilage)
- Spinal decompression/fusion (intervertebral disk disease)
Spaying & Neutering
Neutering and spaying are two of the most general veterinary operations performed regularly throughout North America. These procedures involve removing reproductive organs from male and female animals so they can no more reproduce. This helps reduce overpopulation and certain reproductive health risks, such as uterine infections in female dogs/cats and testicular cancer in male dogs/cats. On the other hand, if you wish to know when it is best to get your dog or cat vaccinations before neutering or spaying, you can ask your veterinarian for recommendations.
Dental Surgery
Oral surgery is becoming increasingly well-known among vets; this type of surgery involves addressing dental issues such as periodontal disease (gum disease), which can cause serious health problems if left without treatment from a veterinary dentist.
Common oral surgeries consist of tooth extractions (removing teeth that have sustained intense damage because of decay or injury) and root canal therapy (wherein dead tissue inside teeth is extracted prior to being sealed off with filling material).
Conclusion
Veterinary surgical procedures come with inherent risks; nonetheless, these problems are frequently surpassed by potential advantages for your pet’s health when dealt with appropriately with expert guidance from your veterinarian team members.
It is essential to discuss any concerns you might have with your vet prior to making decisions about vet surgical procedures. Therefore, you understand all possible consequences of these treatments before agreeing to them.
Veterinarians offer countless services created especially for pets’ overall health, including various surgical services, which should always be considered when providing optimal care.
