When it comes to our dog’s health, we only want the best. At times, certain complicated measures need to be taken to ensure the continued quality of our best friend’s health.

Dog surgeries fall into two main types: elective surgeries and emergency surgeries. Elective surgeries are typically planned in advance and aim to improve the dog’s overall health or quality of life, such as spaying or dental cleanings. 

Emergency surgeries, on the other hand, are performed when a dog’s life or health is at immediate risk, such as removing a swallowed foreign object.

Elective Dog Surgery

This type of dog surgery seeks to improve the quality of a dog’s health. While they are not urgently needed in terms of health and safety, they will drastically make your dog’s life better and more comfortable. Here are the common types of elective dog surgery:

Spaying and Neutering

Spaying and neutering involve the removal of a dog’s reproductive organs. For female dogs, it will involve their uterus and ovaries. For males, it will involve their testicles. By doing so, your dog will be able to avoid any unwanted pregnancies, reduce the risk of infections in the area, and lower the chances of ovarian or prostate cancer.

This type of dog surgery can also help curb unwanted behaviors like roaming, marking territory, and aggression, especially if performed at a younger age. 

Like spaying, neutering is usually recommended between 6 and 9 months of age, though this may vary based on the dog's breed and size. Recovery is typically quick, and most dogs return to their normal activities within a few days.

Dental Procedures

Plaque and tartar buildup are common enemies of a dog’s oral health. Without dental care, this can lead to gum disease, infections, and tooth loss. Routine dental cleanings, performed under general anesthesia, help remove this buildup and keep your dog’s mouth healthy.

Good dental health is an essential part of a dog’s overall well-being, and dental surgeries are among the most commonly performed elective procedures. 

In some cases, a dog may require extractions for broken or severely decayed teeth. Addressing these issues not only prevents pain but also reduces the risk of infections spreading to other parts of the body, such as the heart or kidneys. 

Benign Skin Growth Removals

Skin growths, such as lipomas or cysts, are common in dogs, especially as they age. While many of these growths are harmless, they can become a problem if they grow too large, hinder movement, or cause discomfort. Surgery of a dog’s benign skin growth is often recommended to improve comfort.

This type of dog surgery is typically straightforward, and recovery is quick, with most dogs resuming normal activities within a few days. If your dog has skin growth, it’s essential to have it evaluated by a veterinarian to rule out malignancy and determine the best course of action.

Emergency Dog Surgery

Emergency surgeries are procedures that are performed to address life-or-death situations. These surgeries are often the ones responsible for saving a dog’s life and preventing long-term complications.

Urgent Surgeries for Dogs

Urgent surgeries are those that would need the most immediate response.

Foreign Object Removal

Foreign objects can get lodged up in a dog’s throat, stomach, and intestines, especially because these creatures are super curious. Items like bones, toys, socks, or even rocks are common examples.

When this happens, your dog will experience a lot of pain and discomfort. Common symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and lethargy.

Foreign object removal ultimately removes the object that is causing problems in your dog. Additionally, it also prevents any infection or complications. Once the object has been located using diagnostic imaging techniques, we can proceed to remove it.

Recovery usually depends on the severity of the obstruction and the overall health of the dog. Because of the incisions made, your dog will need to rest safely at home. 

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus Surgery

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus, commonly known as bloat or GDV, is a life-threatening condition that mostly affects large and deep-chested breeds like Great Danes and Saint Bernards. In bloat, the dog’s stomach fills up with gas and twists, causing a swollen abdomen, excessive drooling, and discomfort.

This condition can escalate quickly and requires immediate surgical intervention. Emergency surgery involves untwisting the stomach and, in many cases, securing it to the abdominal wall to prevent recurrence. Gastropexy and pyloroplasty are two common techniques in this type of dog surgery. 

Fracture Repairs

Fractures in dogs can result from accidents, falls, or trauma, such as being hit by a car. Techniques for fracture repair include using pins, plates, screws, or external fixators to stabilize the bone.

Dog surgery for fractures ensures proper alignment and healing of the bone, minimizing the risk of complications such as improper healing or chronic pain. Whether the fix is internal or external, both procedures will gradually help a dog recover from fractures.

With this type of dog surgery, your dog will need a lot of time to rest and sit pretty at home. The recovery period will take a few weeks or months, which would require you to monitor your dog in case it chews on the fixtures.

Bladder Stone Removal

Bladder stones are hard mineral formations that develop in a dog’s bladder and can cause significant discomfort and urinary blockages. Symptoms of bladder stones include difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, frequent attempts to urinate, and pain. 

In severe cases, a complete blockage can happen, which will require surgery to clear the way. This type of dog surgery is called a cystotomy. During the surgery, we’ll make an incision on your dog’s bladder to remove the stones. Stitching will be done after preventing any bleeding. 

Orthopedic Surgeries for Dogs

Orthopedic surgeries for dogs address issues related to their bones, joints, ligaments, and overall musculoskeletal system. These types of dog surgery are commonly performed to treat injuries or degenerative conditions that impair mobility and cause pain.

Cruciate Ligament Repair

The cruciate ligament is a critical stabilizing structure in a dog’s knee joint. Injuries to the cranial cruciate ligament are among the most common orthopedic problems in dogs and often occur during activities like running or jumping. When the CCL is torn, it leads to pain, limping, and arthritis if left untreated.

Surgery for CCL is typically required for a full recovery. The most common techniques include:

• Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy: TPLO alters the angle of the tibia to stabilize the knee. 

• Tibial Tuberosity Advancement: TTA adjusts the position of the tibial bone to reduce strain on the joint.

The choice of procedure will depend on your dog’s size, age, and activity level. Recovery involves strict rest, rehabilitation exercises, and a gradual reintroduction to normal activity.

Hip Dysplasia Surgeries

Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition commonly experienced by large dog breeds. It’s when their hip joints develop abnormally, which will lead to pain and arthritis. 

When conservative treatments are insufficient, surgery may be necessary. Common options for this type of dog surgery include:

• Total Hip Replacement: THR replaces the damaged hip joint with an artificial one. This procedure provides excellent long-term outcomes, restoring near-normal function.

• Femoral Head Ostectomy: FHO removes the head of the femur, creating a false joint that alleviates pain. This is often used for smaller dogs or those for whom a full hip replacement isn’t feasible.

Postoperative care includes pain management, physical therapy, and weight control to reduce stress on the joints.

Soft Tissue Surgeries for Dogs

Soft tissue surgeries address conditions affecting the skin, organs, and other non-skeletal structures. These types of dog surgeries are often necessary to treat tumors, chronic infections, or structural abnormalities that affect a dog’s health and comfort.

Tumor Removals

Dogs can develop tumors as they age. Common benign tumors include lipomas and sebaceous cysts, which may be removed if they grow too large or cause discomfort. Malignant tumors, such as mast cell tumors, often require prompt surgical excision to prevent the spread of cancer.

The goal of tumor removal surgery is to excise the growth along with a margin of healthy tissue to make sure all the cancer cells are removed. Depending on the location and severity, some cases may require follow-up treatments like chemotherapy or radiation. 

Ear Surgeries

Chronic ear infections and hematomas are common issues in dogs, particularly in breeds with long or floppy ears. When infections become recurrent or unresponsive to medical treatment, surgery may be needed to address the underlying problem.

• Total Ear Canal Ablation: This procedure removes the ear canal in cases of severe, chronic infections or tumors. While it results in deafness in the affected ear, it eliminates pain and prevents further complications.

• Hematoma Repair: This type of dog surgery will involve draining the fluid and securing the ear flap to prevent recurrence. 

Eye Surgeries

Certain eye conditions can impair a dog’s vision or cause discomfort, requiring surgical intervention. When these happen, it’s important to have these procedures urgently before they become worse. Here are two common eye surgeries that help correct eye problems in dogs:

• Entropion Correction: Entropion occurs when the eyelid rolls inward, causing pain and discomfort. Surgery corrects the eyelid’s position by removing a small part of the affected eyelid.

• Cherry Eye Repair: The Cherry eye is the prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid, creating a visible red mass in the corner of the eye. Surgery repositions the gland to restore normal function and appearance.

Conclusion

Dogs may require surgery at different stages of their lives, whether to address injuries, treat health conditions, or improve their overall well-being. No matter the procedure, every process is made to help your dog live a better and happier life.