Surgery and Anesthesia

Surgical Services We Offer

• Spay Surgery for Dogs and Cats

  Spaying is a surgical procedure that removes the ovaries and uterus of female pets to prevent pregnancy. Beyond preventing unwanted litters, spaying offers several long-term health and behavioral benefits for both dogs and cats, including:

  • Reducing the risk of mammary cancer
  • Preventing life-threatening uterine infections (pyometra)
  • Eliminating heat cycles
  • Helping reduce hormone-driven behaviors
  • Preventing unexpected pregnancies

  For many pets, spaying also allows us to proactively address other concerns during the same anesthetic event, such as preventive gastropexy for large-breed dogs or stenotic nares surgery for brachycephalic breeds.

• Neuter Surgery for Dogs and Cats

  Neutering is the surgical removal of the testicles in male pets to prevent reproduction. Benefits of neutering may include:

  • Reducing the risk of certain prostate and testicular diseases
  • Helping reduce roaming behaviors
  • Decreasing some hormone-related marking behaviors
  • Preventing unwanted litters
  • Supporting population control efforts in the community

  Our veterinarians discuss the timing of spay and neuter procedures based on your pet’s breed, lifestyle, age, and long-term health considerations.

• Preventive Gastropexy (Stomach Tacking)

  Preventive gastropexy is a surgical procedure commonly recommended for large, deep-chested dog breeds that may be at risk for gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), also known as “bloat.” Bloat is a life-threatening emergency where the stomach twists, trapping gas and cutting off blood flow. During a gastropexy procedure, the stomach is gently secured to the body wall to significantly reduce the risk of twisting in the future. This procedure is often performed at the same time as a spay or neuter surgery in at-risk breeds, helping reduce the need for an additional anesthetic procedure later in life. Breeds commonly at higher risk may include:

  • Great Danes
  • Standard Poodles
  • German Shepherds
  • Weimaraners
  • Doberman Pinschers
  • Other deep-chested breeds

  Our veterinarians are happy to discuss whether preventive gastropexy may be appropriate for your dog.

• Soft Tissue Surgery

  Soft tissue surgery includes a wide variety of procedures involving the skin, abdomen, bladder, ears, and other internal structures. These surgeries may be performed to treat illness, injury, discomfort, or chronic medical conditions. Common soft tissue procedures we perform include:

  • Mass and tumor removals
  • Foreign body surgery
  • Bladder stone removal
  • Wound and laceration repair
  • Abdominal exploratory surgery
  • Growth removals

  Every surgical recommendation is tailored to your pet’s individual condition, comfort, and long-term quality of life.

• Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair Surgery

  Helping Dogs Return to Comfortable Movement

  Cruciate ligament injuries are one of the most common orthopedic injuries seen in dogs, especially active, large-breed, and senior dogs. The cranial cruciate ligament (similar to the ACL in humans) helps stabilize the knee joint. When it tears or ruptures, pets often experience:

  • Limping or lameness
  • Difficulty standing or sitting
  • Trouble jumping or using stairs
  • Reduced activity
  • Pain and joint instability

  Without treatment, ongoing instability can lead to worsening arthritis and chronic discomfort. Our team offers cruciate ligament repair surgery to help stabilize the knee, improve mobility, reduce pain, and support a better long-term quality of life. Recovery typically involves:

  • Activity restriction
  • Pain management
  • Gradual return to activity
  • Ongoing monitoring during healing

  Because every dog’s needs are different, we’ll discuss the most appropriate surgical and recovery plan for your pet individually.

• Advanced Dental & Oral Surgical Care for Dogs & Cats

  Dental and oral surgery procedures are often necessary to treat painful conditions that can affect your pet’s comfort, ability to eat, and overall quality of life. Because many dental problems develop below the gumline, pets may continue eating and behaving relatively normally even while experiencing significant discomfort. Our team performs a variety of dental and oral surgical procedures for dogs and cats, including:

  • Tooth extractions
  • Treatment of fractured or damaged teeth
  • Removal of infected teeth
  • Oral mass evaluation and removal
  • Treatment of advanced periodontal disease
  • Management of painful feline tooth resorption lesions

  Dental and oral surgery is always performed under anesthesia so we can safely evaluate the mouth thoroughly, take dental X-rays, and provide treatment without causing additional fear, stress, or discomfort. Throughout the procedure, your pet is closely monitored and supported with individualized pain management before, during, and after surgery. Our goal is not only to treat disease, but to help your cat and dog companions return to a more comfortable, pain-free quality of life.

• Stenotic Nares Surgery

  Helping Flat-Faced Dogs Breathe More Comfortably

  Certain short-nosed dog breeds, including French Bulldogs, Pugs, English Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers, are prone to breathing difficulties due to the structure of their airways. One common issue is stenotic nares, in which the nostrils are too narrow or partially collapsed, making it harder for pets to breathe comfortably through their noses. Signs may include:

  • Loud breathing or snoring
  • Exercise intolerance
  • Overheating easily
  • Increased respiratory effort
  • Noisy breathing during activity or sleep

  Corrective stenotic nares surgery widens the nostril openings to improve airflow and breathing comfort. In many cases, performing this surgery earlier in life, often during a spay or neuter procedure, may help reduce the progression of more severe airway complications later on. While surgery cannot completely change the anatomy associated with brachycephalic breeds, many pets experience noticeable improvement in comfort and breathing quality afterward.

• Additional Surgical Procedures We Offer

  • Amputations: Limb removal procedures that may be recommended to relieve pain, treat severe injuries, or manage certain diseases and cancers.
  • C-Sections: Surgical delivery of puppies or kittens when a natural birth becomes difficult or unsafe for the mother or babies.
  • Cystotomy: Surgery performed to open the bladder and remove bladder stones or address other urinary tract concerns.
  • Enucleation: Surgical removal of an eye due to severe pain, injury, infection, or disease, helping improve a pet’s long-term comfort and quality of life.
  • Entropion and Ectropion Repair: Corrective eyelid procedures performed to improve comfort and protect the eye when the eyelids roll inward or outward abnormally.
  • Gastrotomy / Enterotomy: Procedures performed to remove foreign material or address issues involving the stomach or intestines, often helping pets recover from blockages or other gastrointestinal concerns.
  • Liver Lobectomy: A procedure involving the removal of a portion of the liver due to masses, injury, or other liver-related conditions.
  • Resection and Anastomosis (R&A): A procedure where a damaged or unhealthy portion of the intestine is removed and the healthy sections are carefully reconnected.
  • Splenectomy: Surgical removal of the spleen, often recommended for splenic masses, trauma, or other conditions affecting the organ.