Soft Tissue Surgery
Soft Tissue
Surgery
Soft tissue surgery encompasses a wide range of surgical procedures that don’t fall under orthopaedic surgery. This means surgery involving internal organs, the skin, tumours, hernias, eyes, and the body wall are all classified as soft tissue surgery. In other words, all surgery not relating to bones, joints, muscles or the spinal cord/brain.
The most common types of soft tissue surgeries are:
- Gastrointestinal surgeries
- Urogenital surgeries
- Wound fights surgery
- Eye surgery
- Foreign body removal
- Lump/mass removal
Gastrointestinal surgeries are surgeries involving the abdomen of a pet. This includes the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, and even the gallbladder. One of the most common surgery that involves gastrointestinal surgery is to remove foreign objects and gastropexy (stomach is sutured to the abdominal body wall to prevent gastric torsion).
Urogenital surgery refers to any surgery performed on the urinary tract or the reproductive organs including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, penis and testicle. The most common urogenital surgery that pets usually require is cystotomy (removal of bladder stones/mass) and anal sacculectomy (removal of anal glands).
FAQ’s
Do I need an appointment before my furbaby’s soft tissue surgery?
Yes! It is very important to have an appointment with one of our experienced veterinarian to discuss the best surgery and treatment plan for your furbaby. During the appointment, you are also able to discuss any concerns that you may have, and our veterinarian will also discuss any preparation needed prior to the surgery, including cost, risks, and recovery.
How do I know if my furbaby needs the surgery? Eg urine stone removal or eye surgery?
Our friendly veterinarian will discuss with you during the initial consultation if surgery is the best course of action. Some issues such as bladder stone may be resolved by feeding a special urinary diet and surgery can be avoided completely. However, every case is different, and we aim to tailor the treatment for each furbaby to achieve the best outcome.
On the other hand, some surgeries such as violent dog fight wounds will need to be managed through surgical intervention.
My dog has eaten something that he shouldn’t, does he need surgery now?
If your dog has eaten something like a toy or your valuables eg Airpods, bring them to us immediately! If they have eaten something within the first 2 hours, chances are, we are able to induce vomiting, and there is a high probability that they will vomit it back up. In some cases, a scope will be needed to retrieve the foreign body that they have ingested. If the foreign body travels passed the stomach (usually post 4-6 hours ingestion) and into the small intestines, surgery is often indicated if the foreign body is too large to pass through their gastrointestinal system without causing any problem. An exploratory laparotomy will be recommended to remove the foreign body as soon as possible.
Can my pet go back to normal activities post surgery?
Upon discharge of your pet’s procedure, our surgical nurse will go through the activity recommendation for your furbaby because every pet is unique!
My dog was bitten by another dog but seems fine, does it need surgery?
This is every paw-parent’s nightmare for their furbaby to be attacked by another dog. A full thorough examination is required for every dog that has been attacked by another dog. Even the smallest laceration/bite can turn into something very serious and can be lethal. A full thickness puncture into the abdomen can often be missed because of their thick fur. Furthermore, a dog’s mouth is often filled with nasty bacteria which can easily turn the bite wounds into an abscess. Lastly, dog bites are painful!
Our friendly veterinarian will help you through this stressful time.
Does my pet need to wear a cone after their surgery?
Depending on the surgery but most soft tissue surgeries performed will require your furbaby to wear a recovery cone! It is very important for your pet to always wear their cone until the stitches are removed between 10-14 days. The aim of the cone is to prevent them from licking at the wound which can cause the wound to break down, get infected, and even worse, open the incision and cause organ damage in some cases. This will cause your pet needing another surgery!
Will my pet receive any pain relief during their surgery? Will they go home with any pain relief medication?
We strive to ensure all pets are given adequate and appropriate pain, and stress relieve medication before, during, and after surgery. Your veterinarian will tailor a pain relief medication plan best suited for your furbaby. Our aim is to create a positive and pain-free experience for them.
The main goal in having a sedation or general anaesthesia plan for your pet is to ensure that we provide appropriate pain and stress relieve medication, which in turn, will help create a positive and relaxing experience for them.
How much does the surgery cost?
Our friendly veterinarian will help you through this stressful time.
Will my pet go under a general anaesthetic for their procedure?
Your furbaby will most likely go under a general anaesthetic when a soft tissue surgery is performed. Your pet will be “put under” and will be unconscious while the drugs are being administered. An endotracheal tube is usually placed to help with their breathing and administering inhalation anaesthetic agent to keep them “under.” Pets will not remember what has happened while they are under general anaesthetic.
This will not only allow our surgeons to operate safely, but it also helps create a pain-free environment and experience for your furbaby.