Veterinary Surgery

Surgical Procedures

At Riverside Animal Hospital, our vets perform medical and emergency surgeries to help treat disease and conditions in pets or to repair injuries sustained through trauma. 

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

• TPLO Surgery

  TPLO Surgery (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) is one of the most popular orthopedic surgeries performed on dogs who have a torn cranial cruciate ligament (also often referred to as a dog's torn ACL).

  With this surgery, we aim to completely change the dynamics of the dog's knee so that the torn ligament becomes irrelevant to the knee's stability.

• Spaying & Neutering

  When we spay or neuter a cat or dog, we surgically sterilize them to prevent disease and provide them with an extended life expectancy. 

• 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. 

• 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 Riverside.

• 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.

• Canine Ear Cropping

  This common surgical procedure involves the removal of a portion of a dog's ears to achieve a specific appearance.

  Many dog owners choose to have their dog's ears cropped to remain consistent with the breed's aesthetic, or simply out of preference. Breeds most often associated with cropped ears include Great Danes, American Pit Bulls, Boxers, Staffordshire Terriers, Dobermans, Miniature Pinschers, and Schnauzers.

  Whatever the reason for your pet's cropping surgery, it's imperative that the procedure is performed by a veterinary professional that is specifically trained and experienced in performing this delicate procedure.

  At our Riverside animal hospital, we offer professional ear cropping services for dogs between the ages of 8-12 weeks. Our experienced vets and team will take every precaution to ensure that your pet’s procedure is carried out as safely and successfully as possible.

  Following your pet's ear cropping surgery, we will provide guidance and support throughout your pet’s recovery, and ensure that you have detailed instructions for the at-home care of your dog while they heal.

• Debarking (Ventriculocordectomy)

  If efforts to train a dog to stop barking have proven futile and owners are faced with having their dog taken away or euthanized, debarking surgery (also referred to as ventriculocordectomy), may be an option. 

  This surgical procedure involves the removal of both vocal cords. While your dog may not stop attempting to bark, their bark will be much quieter. While not recommended as a first choice before training and other alternatives, this is a surgical service we offer if other measures have been ineffective.

• Feline Declawing (Onychectomy)

  If they believe a cat cannot be trained to refrain from using its claws destructively at home or poses a danger to members of your household, our veterinarians at Riverside Animal Hospital can perform a surgical onychectomy.

  Unfortunately, not all cats are amenable to behavior modification, and we believe that this surgical procedure may lead to fewer cats being abandoned or euthanized.

  When we perform a declaw, your cat's safety and comfort are our primary concerns. We use advanced pain management techniques combined with anesthesia to ensure your pet is as comfortable as possible during the procedure, and after they are discharged.

• Tail Docking

  This surgical process of shortening a dog's tail is intended to give the tail a "nub"-like appearance. Breeds such as Dobermans, Brittnay Spaniels, and Jack Russell Terriers commonly have docked tails.

  Typically, tail docking is performed on puppies between 2-5 days old, before the nerves have fully formed in the tail. The procedure can also be performed on adult dogs with injuries to their tails.

• Cherry Eye Removal

  "Cherry eye" is the common name for a prolapse of the third eyelid gland. In severe or chronic cases, there may be no option other than removal, especially if the gland's function is severely diminished or absent. In less severe cases, the gland can be replaced, which is the preferred option whenever possible to prevent dry eye--your vet will advise you on the best treatment for a dog with a prolapsed eyelid.

• Amputations

  Amputation is the surgical removal of a body part, such as a leg. Amputations are sometimes preferable to keeping severely wounded limbs and are sometimes also used to slow the spread of cancer by amputating the diseased extremity.

• Enucleations

  Enuclations are the removal of the eye and its associated nerve endings.  When an eye infection has progressed past the point of treatment and is causing pain to your dog or cat, your vet may recommend enucleation to alleviate their suffering.

• Laceration Repairs

  Our vets are able to repair deep cuts in the skin of cats and dogs. Repairing lacerations is generally an unintrusive surgery, and requires using stitches to close the wound, as well as cleaning the wound afterward to protect against infection.

• Growth/Abscess Removals

  While often benign, sometimes skin growths on our cats and dogs can be a source of pain, or at increased risk of infection should they develop cysts as is common in small dogs.  At Riverside Animal Hospital we are able to remove these excess growths.

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 surgery, and that you are comfortable making the decision to move ahead.

If your pet requires advanced care, our vets will refer you to a veterinary surgeon near Riverside, 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. Veterinary surgeries are performed in a dedicated surgical suite. This room is kept completely sterile to prevent infection and cross-contamination.

Surgical attire. Our staff wear disposable caps and masks at all times when they are in the surgical suite. Those involved in the procedure itself 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 every surgery.