The Most Common Soft Tissue Surgeries in Pets
Numerous surgeries are performed on pets, ranging from common elective treatments like spaying or neutering to operations that save their lives. General practice hospitals frequently carry out soft tissue surgery as well as some orthopedic treatments. However, some soft tissue surgeries are difficult operations that can only be done in specialized veterinary hospitals. These five procedures are the most often performed soft tissue surgeries in regular veterinary offices.
#1: Spay and neuter surgeries
The most frequent operations carried out at routine veterinary clinics—often daily—are spay and neuter procedures. These two procedures remove the reproductive organs in order to considerably reduce or completely eliminate the possibility of various behavioral and health problems in pets.
#2: Foreign body removal surgery
Many items have been recovered from pets’ gastrointestinal tracts because cats and dogs frequently eat items that become blocked. Some of the most common foreign bodies removed from pets include:
- Clothing, especially socks
- Bones
- Corn cobs
- Rubber and plastic toys
- Hair bands
- Thread
Dogs are more discriminating about items they put in their mouths, but cats are typically fascinated with string-like items that result in a linear foreign body that can be exceptionally hazardous because the intestines become bunched, and the string can saw through them.
#3: Mass removal surgery
Numerous benign or malignant tumors can occur in pets. A lump or bump may spread quickly, form an ulcer, or appear where it is difficult to move, breathe, or eat. Masses may be expelled from the skin or from the abdomen, mouth, or ears.
#4: Bladder stone removal surgery
Bladder stones in pets occur relatively commonly, largely because of urinary tract disease, improper diet, inadequate hydration, or genetics. Stones of a certain composition can be dissolved with a prescription diet, but others need surgical removal and thorough bladder flushing to prevent a urinary blockage.
#5: Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome repair surgery
A growing number of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) repair procedures are being performed on brachycephalic breeds such pugs, English bulldogs, and French bulldogs. To make breathing simpler for flat-faced animals, surgery may be required to open their nostrils, shorten their soft palate, or remove laryngeal saccules.