Veterinary Surgery

Surgical Procedures

At Kittrell Animal Hospital, we perform medical and emergency surgeries to help treat diseases and conditions in pets or to repair injuries sustained through trauma.

Our Kittrell vets routinely perform the following elective and non-elective surgeries:

• Soft Tissue Surgery

  For pets suffering from ear, nose, and throat disorders, we offer soft tissue surgical procedures.

  These procedures are also available for hepatic, urogenital, oncological, cardiothoracic, gastrointestinal, and skin disorders. 

• Spaying & Neutering

  Standard Spay & Neuter

  When spaying or neutering a cat or dog, we surgically sterilize them to prevent disease and provide them with an extended life expectancy. Bringing your pet to a spay and neuter clinic near Kittrell when they are young will help prevent issues from arising later.

  Pyometra Spay

  Pyometra is a medical emergency when the uterus is filled with pus. When it goes untreated, it's usually fatal, therefore it needs to be removed. Most dogs and cats that are spayed early in life will not develop pyometra. 

  Cryptorchid Neuter

  Cryptorchidism is a condition in which one or both of the testicles of a dog fail to properly descend from the abdomen into the scrotum. The risk of cancer or cord torsion is greatly reduced by this surgery.

• C-Sections

  During Caesarean sections, we surgically remove puppies or kittens from their mother's uterus.

  C-sections are typically performed when the mother is unable to give birth naturally. 

• Aural Hematoma

  An aural hematoma is a collection of blood within the cartilage of the ear and the skin. It usually comes about as a self-inflicted injury from your pet’s scratching or shaking their head.

  Surgery typically includes making an incision on the underside of the ear flap to drain the fluid and followed by placing several sutures to prevent fluid from building back up.

• Hernia Repair

  A hernia happens when the contents of a dog’s abdomen push through a hole or weak area in the muscle wall. Hernias can be congenital (born with it), they can be caused by a traumatic injury, such as getting hit by a car or being bitten by another dog. Pregnant dogs can also experience hernias.

  Most hernias will require surgery to put the organs back into place and repair the hole or tear, and ensure that the condition won't happen again.

• Foreign Body Removal

  Sometimes, foreign objects are ingested or can get stuck inside a cat's or dog's body.

  Whether your pet has eaten an object they shouldn't have or an accident has left them injured, we can perform foreign body surgery to remove it.

  In some cases, specialized skills or equipment are needed to perform pet surgery. If that is the case for your animal, your vet will refer you to a cat or dog surgeon near Kittrell and work closely with your veterinary surgeon to ensure that your dog or cat receives the very best care.

• Wounds

  Wounds occur when living tissue has been cut, broken, burnt, torn, or otherwise damaged.

  It's imperative that these wounds be cleaned, disinfected, and appropriately cared for by a qualified veterinarian as soon as possible. 

• Orthopedic Surgery

  Orthopedic surgeries correct injuries and diseases of the bones, ligaments, joints, tendons, and other skeletal structures in your pet. If your dog or cat is suffering from a condition or injury that requires advanced specialized care your vet will refer your dog or cat to a vet surgeon near Kittrell.

  If your cat or dog requires orthopedic care that goes beyond the services we offer, we will refer you to a trusted veterinary orthopedic surgeon near Kittrell.

• Dental Surgery

  Our veterinarians provide dental surgeries for dogs and cats. These surgeries can range from tooth extractions to gum disease treatment and jaw fracture repairs.

The Veterinary Surgery Process

We understand that the prospect of bringing your pet in for surgery can be frightening. Please be assured that we recommend surgery only when it is in the best interests of your furry companion. 

We will ensure that you fully understand why we are recommending veterinary surgery and that you are comfortable making the decision to move ahead.

If your cat or dog requires advanced care, our vets will refer you to a veterinary surgeon or surgical specialists near Kittrell, and work closely with your vet surgeon to ensure that your pet receives the best possible care. 

Surgical protocols at our clinic include:

Pre-surgical assessments. We will confirm the specifics of the procedure, complete a physical examination of the patient, and make sure blood tests have been completed and reviewed by the vet in order to determine if your pet faces any risk of anesthesia-related complications.

Dedicated surgical suites. Surgeries are performed in a dedicated surgical suite. This room is kept completely sterile to prevent infection and cross-contamination.

Surgical attire. Our staff wears disposable caps and masks at all times when they are in the surgical suite. Those involved in the procedure will also wear sterile gowns and single-use gloves.

Sterile packs and equipment. We carefully clean, sterilize and wrap our surgical instruments and equipment prior to each and every surgery.