What Soft Tissue Procedures Are Most Frequently Performed on Pets?
Pets go through a wide range of operations, from common elective treatments like spaying or neutering to crucial life-saving procedures. In general practice hospitals, soft tissue surgeries and some orthopedic procedures are frequently carried out. But some soft tissue operations are complicated procedures that can only be carried out in specialized veterinary facilities. Here are the top five soft tissue operations carried out in routine veterinary clinics.
#1: Spaying and neutering procedures
The most frequent surgeries carried out in conventional veterinary practices—often daily—are spays and neuters. In order to significantly reduce or completely prevent the possibility of numerous pet health and behavioral concerns, these two operations remove reproductive organs.
#2: Surgery to remove foreign objects
Due to how frequently cats and dogs eat things that become stuck in their digestive processes, many items have been found there. Foreign objects that are frequently removed from pets include:
Clothes, particularly socks
Bones
Corn stalks
Plastic and rubber toys
Hair bands
Thread
Dogs are pickier about what they put in their mouths, but cats are frequently captivated by anything that resembles string, creating a linear foreign body that can be particularly dangerous since the intestines become tangled and the string can saw through them.
#3: Surgery for mass removal
Numerous benign or malignant tumors can occur in pets. A lump or bump may spread quickly, form an ulcer, or appear where it is difficult to move, breathe, or eat. Masses may be expelled from the skin or the abdomen, mouth, or ears.
#4: Surgery to remove bladder stones
Pets can get bladder stones relatively frequently due to heredity, poor food, dehydration, or urinary tract disease. For some types of stones, a prescription diet can dissolve them, but for others, surgery and extensive bladder flushing are required to avoid a urinary obstruction.
#5: Surgery to treat brachycephalic obstructive pulmonary syndrome
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) repair procedures are increasing in frequency as brachycephalic breeds like pugs, English bulldogs, and French bulldogs gain popularity. For easier breathing, flat-faced animals may require surgery to widen their nostrils, shorten their soft palate, or remove laryngeal saccules.