What Is Soft Tissue Surgery?
Soft tissue surgery covers many procedures involving the skin, muscles, and internal organs. Unlike orthopedic surgery, which focuses on bones and joints, soft tissue surgery includes treatments for conditions affecting your pet’s digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems.
Soft tissue surgery is crucial in veterinary medicine if your furry friend needs a routine spay/neuter or a life-saving tumor removal.
When Does Your Pet Need Soft Tissue Surgery?
Soft tissue surgery can be planned or performed in emergencies. Some of the most common reasons pets undergo these procedures include:
1. Preventative & Routine Procedures
- Spaying & Neutering – Helps control pet overpopulation and prevents health risks like reproductive cancers.
- Hernia Repair – Corrects abdominal wall defects to prevent organs from shifting.
- Mass & Tumor Removal – Excises lumps that may be benign or cancerous.
2. Emergency Surgeries
- Gastrointestinal Blockages – Removes foreign objects causing intestinal obstruction.
- Internal Bleeding – Addresses ruptured organs or vessels from trauma.
- Wound Management – Repairs deep lacerations or bite wounds that won’t heal on their own.
3. Specialized Surgeries
- Bladder Stone Removal – Resolves painful urinary obstructions.
- Respiratory Surgery – Helps pets with breathing difficulties, like those with brachycephalic syndrome (common in flat-faced breeds).
- Reconstructive Procedures – Repairs severe injuries or congenital defects.
What to Expect Before, During, and After Surgery
Before Surgery: Preparing Your Pet
- Pre-Surgical Examination – Your vet will perform blood tests, X-rays, or ultrasounds to assess your pet’s overall health.
- Fasting Instructions – Most pets must avoid food for at least 8-12 hours before surgery to prevent complications under anesthesia.
- Medication Adjustments – If your pet is on medication, your vet will advise whether to continue or pause doses.
During Surgery: What Happens in the Operating Room?
- Anesthesia & Monitoring – Your pet will be placed under anesthesia while the veterinary team closely monitors their vital signs.
- Precision & Care – Using advanced surgical techniques, vets perform procedures with minimal trauma to surrounding tissues.
- Post-Operative Recovery – Once the surgery is complete, pets are moved to a recovery area where they are closely observed as they wake up.
After Surgery: Recovery & Home Care
- Pain Management – Your vet will prescribe pain relief to keep your pet comfortable.
- Restricted Activity – Pets may need to rest for days or weeks, depending on the complexity of the surgery.
- Incision Care – Monitor for swelling, redness, or discharge, and prevent your pet from licking the wound (using an e-collar if necessary).
- Follow-Up Appointments – These check-ups ensure proper healing and allow the vet to remove stitches if needed.
How to Help Your Pet Recover Faster
1. Create a Comfortable Recovery Space
Provide a quiet, cozy spot with soft bedding where your pet can rest undisturbed. Choose an area away from high-traffic parts of your home to minimize stress and distractions.
If possible, set up a small pen or confined space to prevent unnecessary movement that could strain the healing wound. Ensure your pet has easy access to water and their food bowl so they don’t have to move too much while recovering.
2. Follow Your Vet’s Post-Op Instructions
Stick to prescribed medications, dietary recommendations, and wound care guidelines. Even if your pet seems to be recovering well, do not stop medications early, as pain relievers and antibiotics play a crucial role in preventing discomfort and infections.
If your vet recommends a special diet, follow it strictly to support healing, especially after digestive surgeries. Never hesitate to call your vet if you’re unsure about a medication dose or if your pet refuses to take their prescribed treatment.
3. Watch for Signs of Complications
Call your vet immediately if you notice:
- Excessive swelling or redness at the incision site – Mild swelling is normal, but if the area becomes increasingly red, swollen, or emits an unusual odor, it could indicate an infection.
- Loss of appetite or vomiting – While some pets may have a reduced appetite for a day post-surgery, persistent refusal to eat or repeated vomiting could signal a problem.
- Difficulty breathing or extreme lethargy – If your pet is struggling to breathe, panting excessively, or unusually weak, these may be signs of a reaction to medication or a deeper post-op issue requiring urgent medical attention.
4. Keep Your Pet Calm & Restrict Activity
Limit jumping, running, or rough play to avoid stress on healing tissues. Sudden movements can reopen incisions, cause internal bleeding, or delay the healing process.
Use a pet crate or gated area if necessary, especially for high-energy pets who might not self-regulate their activity. Engaging them with low-energy distractions, like chew toys or gentle petting, can help keep them calm without physical exertion.
Choosing the Right Veterinary Surgeon
A skilled veterinary surgeon makes all the difference in your pet’s safety and recovery. When selecting a vet for soft tissue surgery, consider:
- Experience & Expertise – Look for a vet with a strong background in surgical procedures.
- Surgical Facilities – Ensure the clinic is equipped with modern anesthesia, monitoring, and post-op care capabilities.
- Emergency Support – Opt for a vet or hospital that offers 24/7 emergency services in case of complications.
When to Seek Emergency Veterinary Care?
If your pet experiences any of the following, immediate surgery may be necessary:
- Sudden bloating with distress (potentially life-threatening gastric torsion)
- Severe bleeding from an injury
- Difficulty breathing or collapsed state
- Inability to urinate or defecate for an extended period
Need Urgent Help? We’re Here for You!
If your pets are in an emergency or if you have general inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact Veterinary Emergency Centre.
📞 General Hotline: 2334-2334
🚨 24-Hour Emergency Hotline: 6828-6620
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