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Surgical Procedures
Canine Neuter
Neutering a dog will help prevent or curtail a number of unpleasant behavioral problems and can also prevent disease. This simple surgery is an important part of responsible pet ownership.
Neutering doesnt cause a change in personality, guarding instincts, intelligence, playfulness and affection. However it will reduce the risk of prostate cancer, prostatitis and hormone-related diseases such as perianal adenoma. It eliminates the rixk of testicular cancer the second most common cancer in intact dogs.
Neutering the Male Cat
Neutering is very beneficial to the health of the cat, especially if performed at an early age. Following puberty, which occurs at approximately eight to nime months of age, the male cat often develops a number of undesirable behavioral changes. He will become territorial and start to mark areas, even inside the house by spraying urine. This urine has a particularly offensive odor and is difficult to remove.
Canine Spay
Spaying your pet dog is very important, not only to keep down pet overpopulation, but for the health of your pet, as well.
We recommend spaying all female pets. The benefits to your pet's health and to help reduce the pet overpopulation crisis make this decision easier. It should be remembered that owners of Guide Dogs for the Blind, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and Dogs for the Disabled routinely have their dogs spayed.
· Prevention of heat or estrus.
· When in heat, the female experiences an urge to escape in order to find a mate. This unwanted and dangerous behavior is eliminated.
· It eliminates the possibility of false pregnancy following the heat cycle.
· Prevention of uterine infection known as pyometra.
· The prevention of breast cancer. Dogs spayed before the first heat have less than 0.5% chance of developing breast cancer.
· Elimination of the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer.
Feline Spay
Spaying is the common term used to describe the surgical procedure known scientifically as an ovariohysterectomy. In this procedure, the ovaries and uterus are completely removed in order to sterilize a female cat. We recommend that all non-breeding cats be sterilized. Here are several health benefits associated with spaying your cat. The most obvious benefit is the prevention of unplanned pregnancies. There is no medical or scientific reason for letting your cat have a litter before she is spayed.
Declawing
Declawing (onychectomy) consists of surgical removal of the entire nail and nail bed of the front claws under general anesthesia. The incision sites are closed using surgical skin adhesive or absorbable sutures. Often, the patient will be hospitalized for one or two nights. Oral antibiotics and/or pain medication may be prescribed for five to seven days after surgery. Most cats are back to normal within seven to fourteen days.
Pyometra
"Pyometra" is the life-threatening infection of the uterus which generally occurs in middle-aged to older female dogs in the six weeks following heat. The uterus with pyometra swells dramatically and is filled with pus, bacteria, dying tissue, and toxins. Without treatment, the pet is expected to die.
Splenic Masses
The spleen is an organ that helps store red blood cells and helps with immune function by acting like a lymph node, but when it grows even a benign growth a life-threatening spleen rupture can occur. Fortunately, we can live quite happily without a spleen. Sometimes, though, removing the spleen is only the beginning.
Mammary Tumors in Dogs
We all know the importance of breast cancer and its prevention in our own species but it may be a surprise to find that breast (mammary) cancer is important for our pets, too. We will begin with information pertinent to the dog.
Hemangiopericytoma
The hemangiopericytoma is a common tumor in the dog generally arising on the limbs and appearing as a round nodule. It derives from pericytes associated with blood vessels and, at least in some cases, involves a chromosome abnormality (usually an extra or an absent chromosome).
Sebaceous Gland Tumors
This is not a Viral Papilloma! If you have an older dog and the 'warts' are not confined to the face or mouth, then these may be sebaceous gland tumors.
Histiocytoma
The histiocytoma is a common benign tumor of younger dogs (and the occasional cat). While it eventually goes away by itself, it can be itchy while it lasts and usually has a moist or even slightly bloody surface. It must be distinguished from some of its more malignant cousins so some kind of diagnostic testing is generally recommended.
Aural Hematoma
'Aural' (not 'oral') means 'pertaining to the ear.' The aural hematoma results when an animal breaks a blood vessel in the flap of the ear. The ear flap fills with blood and becomes like a heavy water balloon hanging from the pet's head.
Ectopic Ureters
Sometimes the difficult to house-train puppy has a bigger problem: an anatomical defect that alters the basic plumbing of her urinary tract. This condition is rare but if you are reading this, we can guess you may have a suspect case at home. Here are more details on this condtion.
Enucleation
Enucleation means 'removal of the eye.' If this is an option that may benefit your pet, this site will answer some questions concerning common reasons this procedure may be necessary, what to expect after surgery and what complications to be wary of.
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