MINOR SURGERY

Minor surgeries for pets include spaying and neutering, which are recommended for all pets:

• Spaying
• A small incision under the belly button is made to remove the uterus and ovaries. This can reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, as well as urine infections.
• Neutering
• The testicles are removed from male dogs. This can help prevent testicular cancer and other health issues. 

Other minor surgeries for pets include:

• Dental extractions: A veterinarian may recommend this if a dog’s teeth are broken, loose, or chipped. 
• Hernia repairs: A common surgery for pets. 
• Bladder stone removal: A common surgery for pets. 
• Aural hematoma repair: A common surgery for pets. 
• Wound repairs: A common surgery for pets. 
• Foreign body removal: A common surgery for pets if they have swallowed something inedible. 
• Mass removals: A common surgery for pets, including tumors and other growths.

Major Surgery

Major surgery for a pet is a procedure that either exposes a body cavity or significantly impairs the pet’s physical or physiological functions. Some examples of major surgeries for pets include:

• Joint replacement: A surgical procedure to replace a joint, such as the hip, knee, or elbow
• Fracture repair: A surgical procedure to repair a broken bone
• Oncologic surgery: A surgical procedure to treat cancer
• Kidney transplant: A surgical procedure to transplant a kidney into a pet
• Complex gastrointestinal or urogenital procedures: A surgical procedure to treat complicated issues with the gastrointestinal or urogenital system 

Other common surgeries for pets include:

• Spaying and neutering
• Dental surgery
• Cataract surgery
• Skin mass removal
• Foreign object removal
• Bladder stone removal
• Ear surgery
• Emergency surgery