General Surgery

Spay and neuter (desexing)

Spay and neutering are surgical procedures used to prevent pets from reproducing. In females, spaying (ovariohysterectomy) involves removing the ovaries and uterus. For male animals, neutering (orchiectomy) involves the removal of the testicles.

In addition to preventing unwanted offspring, spaying or neutering has many health and behavioural benefits to the animal, such as:

• Reducing undesired behaviours like fighting, roaming, spraying, humping, and caterwauling. 
• In females, spaying prevents breast cancer and eliminates both uterine infections and cancer. 
• For males, neutering reduces the chance of testicular cancer and prostate enlargement.

The recommended timeline for spaying or neutering at our clinics is as follows:

Feline

• >6 months of age and >2kg body weight

Canine

• Toy/small breeds:  >6 months of age and >2kg body weight
• Medium/large breeds: >12-18 months of age
• Giant breeds: >18-24 months of age

Cystotomy

Cystotomy is a type of surgery to get into the bladder. It is typically performed on pets to remove bladder stones, but it can also be done to address a bladder tumour or to assist in clearing a blockage in the urethra. 

What are bladder stones in pets?

Bladder stones are hard, solid stones that form when minerals combine in the bladder. These stones can vary in size, ranging from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a small orange.

Why is a cystotomy performed?

The presence of bladder stones can cause discomfort for the pet, and if they pass into the urethra, they may become stuck and lead to an obstruction, which can be dangerous and life-threatening if not treated quickly.

This is why If a pet has bladder stones that cannot be removed using other methods, a cystotomy is usually recommended. Other methods may include dissolving the stones with a course of antibiotics and/or a prescription diet. However, if they do not work, a cystotomy is recommended.

Lump removal and biopsy

Lumpectomy is the removal of any abnormal lumps from your pet’s skin, muscle, or connective tissue layer. This is a surgical procedure, carried out under a general anaesthetic, usually with the intention of a full removal of the lump, and some of the healthy tissue surrounding it to ensure that the abnormal cells do not spread to surrounding tissues.

A biopsy is a procedure to remove a piece of tissue or a sample of cells from the body so that it can be tested in a laboratory. Skin biopsies can be performed when there is a superficial lump on the skin or on an area of skin that has failed to respond to treatment.

Biopsies may be performed with local anaesthetic (numbing of the skin), but in some cases, depending on the area involved or the nature of the patient, a sedative or general anaesthetic may be required. 

The sample of tissue or lump that was biopsied is subsequently sent to an external laboratory where the sample will be examined by a veterinary pathologist. 

Wound/laceration repair

A laceration is a wound resulting from breaking or tearing of the skin. It is usually caused by trauma to the body or skin (e.g., a bite wound or accidental trauma from sharp objects). A laceration often causes irregular or jagged skin edges, and can vary from superficial (only involving the skin) to significant skin loss with damage to underlying tissue (e.g., muscle or bone).

What can we do at home?

• If a wound is bleeding, firm pressure can be applied using a clean gauze or towel before bringing your pet to be accessed by a veterinarian. 5-10 minutes of applying pressure should stop minor bleeding. 
• If the wound is superficial, you may use sterile saline to flush and clean the wound.
• If the wound is extensive or if the bleeding does not stop, the wound may be lightly bandaged with a clean gauze or towel. You should also seek veterinary attention immediately. 

How are lacerations usually treated?

The veterinarian will examine the wound to ascertain whether the laceration needs to be surgically repaired.

Superficial lacerations often do not require stitches. However, they can potentially get infected, so wound cleaning may be recommended and antibiotics may be dispensed if infection is a concern. 

If the laceration is extensive, severe, or contaminated (e.g., with soil, hair, or dirt), your pet may require sedation or general anaesthetic for thorough wound cleaning, removing of dead tissue, and stitching up of the wound. Antibiotics, pain relief, and wound care or bandaging material, may be dispensed depending on the nature of the injury. 

General anaesthesia and sedation

Anaesthetics are drugs given by injection or as gas. During general anaesthesia, the animal is completely unconscious and does not move or experience mild pain. This allows the veterinarian to perform surgery and other procedures that would be too uncomfortable for an animal if they were conscious. General anaesthesia is also performed when the animal is required to stay still for extended periods, such as for a CT scan. 

Sedation, on the other hand, involves administering drugs to calm or relax your pet, and there is usually no loss of consciousness during this period. This allows us to perform non-painful procedures such as x-rays or ultrasounds and other minor procedures safely without the use of general anaesthesia. 

While all general anaesthetic procedures and sedatives carry some risks, we take the following steps to minimise them:

• Pre-anaesthetic health checks are performed to ensure that your pet is in good physical condition. An appropriate anaesthetic protocol is then selected to suit each patient to make the process as safe as possible.
• Pre-anaesthetic blood testing is offered to owners to screen for any unsuspected illness that may increase anaesthetic risk or affect the surgical outcome (e.g., kidney or liver disease and low blood count).
• An intravenous (IV) catheter is recommended in all patients, and fluid therapy is given via the IV catheter. This provides several benefits even in healthy animals:
  • The IV catheter is an important access point for administering antibiotics, pain relief, and emergency drugs should the need arise.
  • Fluids help to maintain hydration before, during, and after the procedure, when fasting is required (i.e., food or water cannot be given).
  • Fluid therapy helps to manage the potential negative effects associated with anaesthetic drugs (e.g., low blood pressure).
  • It helps to maintain hydration and replace fluids lost during surgery (e.g., through minor bleeding).