Elective and Urgent Dog Surgeries: Things You Need to Know

Pet owners may feel anxiety and fear when thinking about their dog getting surgery. When you understand why certain surgeries are necessary and the stages involved, you’ll be able to make better-informed decisions for your dog’s health and well-being. Elective and urgent/emergency procedures for dogs are the most common. Both have a few things in common in terms of qualifications. Medically, elective operations are essential for your dog’s health and quality of life. They are planned since there is no medical emergency.

Common Surgical Procedures for Dogs

Your dog’s surgical needs can be divided into two categories: elective procedures and those that are urgently necessary. You’ll learn about some of the most common surgeries performed on dogs, including elective and emergency procedures.

Common Elective Surgeries for Dogs

At the request of the pet owner, elective operations might be scheduled. A procedure or surgery is called “elective” if it has no proven benefit to the animal’s health. It should be avoided because it exposes the animal to unnecessary risk during the operation and recovery afterward. Here are the three most common elective procedures for dogs:

1. Spay or neuter surgery

To keep dogs from reproducing, spay and neuter operations are necessary. Spaying involves an incision just below the belly button into the abdomen, where the pet surgeon removes the ovaries and uterus. Only the uterus is removed in some cases. An incision is made in front of the scrotum for neuters, and both testicles will be surgically removed. After 12 to 14 days of rest and leash-walking, your dog should be able to resume regular activity.

2. Dental extractions

Other elective procedures worth considering include dental work. As long as a patient isn’t in pain or suffering from an infection, dental cleanings can usually be arranged as an elective procedure. Having healthy teeth is essential to a pain-free and enjoyable life. In fact, dogs and cats with well-maintained teeth can expect to live an additional two to four years.

The teeth are surgically removed if they are loose, damaged, shattered, or worn severely. After the surgery, dogs are typically given softened food to eat for a few days. In most cases, the oral incisions are completely healed in around 10 to 12 days.

3. Benign skin growths

Procedures such as this remove only a small portion of the skin or no skin tissue. If no skin has been removed, topical ointments can be applied. Beyond the time needed to recover from anesthesia, rest is rarely required. When skin is removed, sutures are placed. Dogs may not require activity restrictions depending on their area. Healing time with either process is usually 10 to 14 days.

Common Emergency Dog Surgeries

Urgent or emergency procedures are medically crucial for your dog’s health and are often lifesaving. Unlike with elective surgery, you might not need to make extensive preparations in urgent cases. Your veterinarian will conduct surgery if your pet is stable, their discomfort is under control, and their blood tests indicate that it is safe to proceed. Find out more about the cat & dog routine exam here.

Before the surgery, the patient will be given medications to help them relax and alleviate any discomfort they may feel. Once the last pre-op procedures have been completed, the veterinary team will proceed with the surgery.

1. Orthopedic surgeries

Your veterinarian or a specialist can conduct orthopedic surgeries on your pet and you can contact them after hours. There are a variety of surgical tools that can be used depending on the severity, kind, and location of the fracture.

2. Skin lacerations, abscesses, or wounds

In these circumstances, the area will be carefully cleaned and the damaged tissue removed. Surgical closure, either with or without a drain, is attempted when at all feasible (the drain prevents fluid build-up under the skin).

3. Open abdominal exploratory surgeries

An open abdominal exploratory surgery is performed when the gastrointestinal tract is blocked by a foreign object. Foreign items can be found in the stomach, small intestines, large intestines, or multiple locations along the digestive tract.

4. Bladder stone removal

This procedure removes stones and crystals from the bladder and urethra. To prevent stones from entering the urethra, a urinary catheter is inserted.

Bottom Line

As you can see, there are numerous reasons a pet can require surgery, which is not unusual. Specialists know what to do; therefore, seeing a trained veterinarian or surgeon is essential. Never be afraid to ask your potential service provider any questions you may have; your pet will appreciate it. Good service providers will gladly answer your questions.