Understanding Pet Surgery: Common Scenarios That Require Veterinary Procedures
Regardless of the level of care you provide for your pets, there will come a time in their life when they get ill. Most of the time, you can handle the usual health issues that pets face. However, there may be occasions when surgery is required for your pet.
Hearing about your pet’s surgery might scare you, but the procedure isn’t usually too complex. Understanding the health condition and surgery procedure can remove your worries and help you fulfill your pet’s post-operative needs better.
Below, we have listed some common pet health conditions that call for surgery.
Trauma or Injury
These injuries can happen in many ways. Your pet might fall from a high place, get hit by a vehicle on the road, or get attacked by another animal – mostly a dog. The bites or scratches from another dog can cause fatal injury if not treated immediately. Falling can also cause internal injuries not visible on the surface. But they need instant medical attention. In these cases, the vet might perform a simple surgery to stitch up any gaping wound or remove foreign particles from your pet’s body.
Orthopedic Issues
If your pet has been in an accident that broke or misplaced their bones, you need to see an orthopedic surgeon. Fixing a broken bone can be a delicate process. The vet will determine the severity of the injury and the type of surgery your pet needs. Leaving a broken bone untreated can affect your pet for life. So, contact the vet immediately.
But what about the cost? “The cost of pet orthopedic surgery depends on many factors, including the type of procedure your veterinarian is performing and the condition your pet is suffering from,” says Laveen Veterinary Center, a pet hospital specializing in veterinary orthopedic surgery. Contact your nearest vet to learn about the cost of such procedures.
Tumors
A tumor can turn fatal if left untreated. Tumors tend to grow very fast, so consider surgery as soon as your vet suggests it. The process can be heavy on your pocket and cause stress. But a little patience can ensure a safe and happy life for your furry friend.
While surgery can’t completely remove the tumor, it can reduce its size and bring it under control. Talk to your vet to understand what complementary treatment your pet needs to get rid of it.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Cats and dogs can chew and swallow foreign objects, such as toys or bones. They can get stuck in their intestines and cause obstruction. Cats can also have hairball problems. Pets can also form Peritonitis which causes the abdominal lining to inflame. Bloating can also become fatal if it twists the stomach. Common symptoms for these include lethargy, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Consult your vet to check if your pet needs surgery to become better.
Dental Problems
Your pet can have dental decay, infected gums, or fractured teeth. They can also form periodontal problems which cause inflammation to the structure supporting the teeth. Your pets can also have masses or tumors in the gums. Your pet will need surgery to cure all these conditions.
If your pet has gotten into an accident and has a broken or fractured jaw, the vet will have to perform surgery to fix it.
Reproductive Procedures
Spaying or neutering your pet has many benefits. It ensures that they don’t reproduce unnecessarily. Exposure to outdoor feral cats and dogs increases the chances of your pet getting infected with incurable diseases. Unwanted pregnancies also create litter and abandoned babies. Too many pregnancies can also put the health of your pet at risk. So, you should spay or neuter them before they reach sexual maturity. These surgeries are fairly simple and can ensure a happier and healthier life for your domestic pets, especially cats and dogs.
Eye and Ear Conditions
Eye and ear surgeries are more common than you think. If your pet has a chronic ear infection, has polyps or a tumor in the ear, or has some sort of ear deformity, it will need surgery.
Cataract is a common condition in pets – mostly in older dogs – and needs a simple procedure to be fixed. Another condition is the cherry eye, in which the gland in the third eyelid comes out and is visible on the surface. Surgery can help reposition the gland and eliminate discomfort.
If your pet has a tear duct drainage problem, it can lead to a fatal infection. It usually happens when the drainage path gets obstructed and the pet tears too much. The vet will perform surgery to remove the blockage or create a new drainage path. Your pet can also have tumors in the eyelid, and a simple surgery can get rid of it quickly.
Urinary Tract Issues
Urinary tract issues include bladder stones or crystals, blockages in urinary tracts due to tumors or mucus plugs, and urinary tract deformities. All these conditions prevent the normal flow of urine and can cause discomfort in your pet. Your pets can’t communicate it, but spotting urinary tract issues is very easy for you. Your pet will urinate in unusual places and will attempt to urinate more. They will drink more water. And in serious cases, their urine might contain blood. The urine will also have a strong odor, and you might have to put in extra effort to remove the odor from your house.
Your vet might need to perform surgery to remove large stones, remove any blockages or tumors, and even fix any deformities.
Our furry friends are a vital part of our lives, and their wellbeing is our responsibility. Often, negligence in their care might lead to severe health conditions that can become irreversible. Surgery might sound like a huge step, and in some cases, it can be life-threatening. But it’s a better option than prolonging their suffering.
