Anal Sac (Anal Gland) Removal
Anal sacs, more commonly called anal glands, function as a scent marking gland for dogs and cats. They are designed to express when an animal defecates, leaving a foul odor behind marking territory. Anal gland surgery removes the sacs containing this foul smelling material from both sides of the anus. Using the CO2 laser, the glands/sacs are completely removed, doing away with recurrence of problems or issues. While this surgery is not necessary for most dogs, it should be considered for pets with chronic anal gland problems such as recurring infections, repeated sac ruptures, or a need for frequent expressions.
Stenotic Nares Repair/Soft Palate Resection
Brachycephalic, or smushed-face breeds, often have issues with stenotic nares (nostrils smaller than normal) and/or an elongated soft palate (the soft palate too long and interferes with air passing through the windpipe). These problems cause difficulty breathing and can eventually lead to long-term issues with the heart and lungs. Both of these procedures are performed using laser. The nostrils can be enlarged and the soft palate shortened to allow for easier passage of air, and more normal function.
Thyroidectomy
Cats commonly suffer from hyperthyroidism. One treatment is surgical removal of the thyroid gland. This treatment may be considered under certain conditions or if a cat is not able to take the usual prescribed medication.
Cystotomy
Bladder stones can develop in dogs and cats. They can form from a combination of bladder infection and an abnormal diet influenced urinary pH. These stones are painful and can potentially become life-threatening if they enter the urethra and block urine passage. Stone removal is a common surgery we perform at our hospital.
Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO)
At times, an animal can experience extreme hip pain. This can be due to severe arthritis, hip dysplasia, luxation of the hip, and more. In cases where the pain can’t be well managed, FHO is an option. In this surgery, the head of the femur is removed, doing away with the joint, getting rid of the cause of the pain. The patient’s body forms a new joint in the area, returning to healthier function.
Perineal Urethrostomy
This surgery is extreme, but can save the lives of many animals, especially cats. When a cat experiences repeated urinary blockages, an option is to remove the penis which will do away with the narrowed urethra. After the penis is removed, the urethra is spayed open to form a vaginal-like opening, allowing the cat to avoid blocking in the future.
Hematoma
A hematoma is a pocket of blood that develops after trauma to a vessel. When this occurs in the ear, a big “pillow” of blood forms. To treat ear hematomas, a surgery is performed to remove the blood and apply pressure to keep it from reforming. To apply uniform pressure with less trauma to the ear, we suture buttons on both sides of the ear.
Enucleation
Unfortunately, there are occasions such as severe non-responsive glaucoma or rupture of an eye that require the eye to be removed. However, this procedure leaves the animal pain-free. After eye removal, patients adapt well, and are happier and healthier.
