General Surgery

General Surgery services

We provide all types of soft tissue surgery for dogs and cats, specializing in minimally invasive surgery, including laparoscopy, thoracoscopy, and neurosurgery for certain conditions.

Abdominal surgery

We have expertise to perform surgery on each organ in the abdominal cavity, including the stomach, kidneys, liver, small and large intestines, gallbladder, spleen, and pancreas.

Abdominal procedures:

• Adrenalectomy
• Cholecystectomy for disease of the gall bladder
• Cystotomy
• Enterotomy
• Feeding tube
• Gastrectomy
• Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV or “bloat”)
• Gastropexy
• Gastrotomy
• Insulinoma
• Intestinal resection anastomosis or enterectomy
• Laparoscopic gastropexy
• Liver lobectomy for liver mass
• Nephrectomy
• Portosystemic shunt, extra hepatic or intra hepatic
• Surgery for megacolon
• Surgery of the biliary tract
• Surgery of the ureter
• Urethrotomy
• Urethrostomy
• Urinary obstruction
• Urinary stones

Head and neck surgery

In concert with the hospital’s dermatology and otology service, we perform surgeries to treat many different types of ear diseases and conditions of the mouth and nose.

Head and neck procedures:

• Palate defect
• Salivary mucocele
• Total ear canal ablation
• Thyroidectomy

Neurosurgery

Working hand-in-hand with the hospital’s neurology specialists, we perform procedures to treat disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and vertebrae. We offer minimally invasive neurosurgery for certain conditions.

Neurosurgery procedures:

• Hemilaminectomy
• Minimally invasive hemilaminectomy
• Vertebral fractures

Reproductive surgery

We collaborate with the hospital’s small animal reproduction service for cesarean sections, complicated spays or neuters, and surgical treatment of other reproductive disorders. We also commonly perform elective spays using minimally invasive techniques.

Reproductive procedures:

• Laparoscopic ovariectomy
• Ovariohysterectomy
• Prostatic cyst or abscess
• Prostatectomy

Surgical endoscopy

A group of minimally invasive surgical techniques; our team specializes in surgical laparoscopy and thoracoscopy.

Surgical oncology

Focuses on the surgical management of cancer, which can involve diagnostic biopsies and surgical removal of tumors. Two of our board-certified surgeons are also Fellows of Surgical Oncology, although all of our surgeons have extensive surgical oncology experience.

Thoracic surgery

Most commonly, we perform thoracic surgery to treat conditions of the heart, lungs, chest wall, and diaphragm due to congenital abnormalities, trauma, infection, or cancer.

Thoracic procedures:

• Chylothorax
• Lung lobectomy
• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
• Pericardectomy
• Persistent right aortic arch
• Pyothorax
• Thoracoscopic pericardectomy or window

Upper airway surgery

Some pets can be affected by conditions that diminish their ability to breathe. Upper airway surgery can often help alleviate some of these issues and give your pet a higher quality of life. Our team has extensive experience dealing with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome and canine laryngeal paralysis.

Upper airway procedures:

• Unilateral lateralization for laryngeal paralysis
• Permanent tracheostomy
• Soft palate resection for brachycephalic airway syndrome

Wound care and reconstruction

Bite wounds, punctures, and skin loss from trauma are commonly seen veterinary issues. We perform corrective and reconstructive surgery with the goal of quickly returning your pet to their best possible function with the best possible cosmetic results.

Wound care and reconstruction procedures:

• Hernia repair
  • Diaphragmatic hernia
  • Hiatal hernia
  • Inguinal hernia
  • Perineal hernia
  • Umbilical hernia
• Skin flaps
• Skin grafts
• Wound management

Specialized technology

A dedicated member of the Anesthesia and Pain Care service will be assigned exclusively to the task of closely monitoring your animal’s vitals and potential side effects during any procedure requiring pain management, sedation, or anesthesia.

Minimally invasive surgery

Performed through small ports rather than a large incision, minimally invasive procedures provide access for specialized surgical instruments and a magnified view of the body cavity with a telescopic lens and camera. Some of the minimally invasive procedures we perform include routine spaying, prevention of gastric bloat (gastropexy), organ biopsy, gallbladder removal, adrenal gland removal, and the removal of lung tumors or other masses in the thoracic cavity.

Minimally invasive procedures like surgical endoscopy are considered to be safe with few complications, making techniques like laparoscopy and thoracoscopy preferred over more invasive procedures. Advantages include improved patient recovery because of smaller surgical incision sites, lower postoperative morbidity, lower infection rate, and lower postoperative pain.

Our surgical services are available to clients without a referral, as well as through referral by your primary veterinarian or another service area within the hospital.

To request an appointment, complete the appointment request form.

Please also email veterinary records related to the current problem, including:

• Blood work
• X-rays
• Reports from any advanced imaging including ultrasound, CT scan, and/or MRI

If you do not already have this information, you can request it from your veterinarian.