There is a common fear among dog owners that their pets will suffer some adverse reaction to surgery. However, most dogs will require one or more surgical treatments at some time in their lives. It might be for tooth extraction, removal of a benign tumor or wart, or a spay or neuter.
Some procedures are considered optional, meaning their owners voluntarily decide to have their pets undergo them. On the other hand, other kinds of surgical procedures on pets are done either because the owners feel they have no choice but to improve their animal companion’s health and well-being or to forestall the onset of more complications.
Types of Pet Surgeries
It is crucial to understand the reason behind the suggestion of a surgical operation to make educated choices regarding your pet’s well-being. Surgical options for your dog fall into two categories: those that are elective and those that are necessary. These are the most often practiced ones.
1. Spay and Neuter
In most vet facilities like Ridgemont Animal Hospital, spaying and neutering pets are the top elective surgery. This common and ethical procedure prevents an animal from reproducing further and serves several other valuable purposes.
The female reproductive organs (uterus and ovaries) are surgically removed during a procedure known as “spaying.” However, “neutering” can refer to the male or female removal of the reproductive organs. Castration is the term used to describe the surgical removal of the testicles from a male animal.
2. Foreign Object Removal
Animals are inherently curious creatures, and the easiest way to explore the world around them is by sniffing, licking, and even eating the items and substances, they come across.
Unfortunately, occasionally this leads to them consuming something they shouldn’t, and in certain situations, these objects become caught in your pet’s digestive tract. If this occurs, surgical removal of the object might be required because it might not be able to pass through, causing significant harm to your pet.
You can click here and read more about veterinary surgery and its needed preparation for your pet.
3. Wound Repair
Wounds are a typical result of accidents and injuries; in extreme cases, they can require surgical intervention to restore the tissues. If an animal suffers from burns, for instance, it may require skin grafting as part of its treatment.
If your pet falls or gets hit by a car, it will likely suffer a skin laceration. You may need skin transplant surgery on your pet if the skin is severely injured. Wounds and skin abrasions can also be repaired with various alternative reconstructive methods.
Before surgery, it’s better to house your pet in a boarding facility. To read more about it, you can type in “dog boarding near me” on your search bar.
4. Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic surgery refers to operations that address conditions such as cracked or broken bones, torn ligaments and muscles, and other types of soft tissue damage.
When arthritis and joint degeneration strike an animal, it’s often the time for some orthopedic surgery. Dogs of specific breeds, for instance, are more likely to suffer from hip dysplasia and ACL tears than others.
5. Cancer Surgery
Sadly, cancer is just as common in animals as in humans. One of the most successful ways to treat cancer in a pet is to remove the tumors surgically. If this can be done, surgery will be needed to remove the tumor or cancerous tissue. In some cases, chemo or radiation therapy is required after surgery to eliminate all signs of cancer.