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Surgery

At Nordhoff Veterinary Hospital, we understand that surgery can be a stressful experience for both pets and their people. Our compassionate veterinary team is here to provide clear communication, expert care, and state-of-the-art surgical procedures to support your pet’s health and comfort.

  • 2 Skilled Staff Surgeons

  • Guest Surgical Specialist Available

When your pet needs skilled surgical care
Our Surgical Services

Diagnostic and Biopsy Procedures

  • Abdominal Exploratory Surgery

    • Used when pets have unexplained symptoms such as vomiting, pain, or weight loss. Allows direct examination of the internal organs to diagnose or treat hidden issues like tumors or blockages.

  • Biopsy Punch

    • Minimally invasive sampling of the skin to diagnose rashes, infections, or suspicious lumps.

  • Skin Biopsy Surgery

    • Involves surgically removing skin tissue for lab testing to investigate chronic conditions or tumors.

  • Liver Biopsy Surgery

    • Samples liver tissue to diagnose disease, monitor damage, or rule out cancer when bloodwork shows abnormalities.

Masses, Lumps, and Growths

  • Mass Removal

    • Surgical removal of small skin lumps or bumps, often for biopsy or to prevent discomfort.

  • Cryosurgery

    • A non-invasive option to freeze and remove small skin lesions or growths without sutures.

  • Foxtail Exploration

    • Locates and removes barbed foxtail plant material that can embed into skin, paws, or ears, causing infection and pain.

Orthopedic and Amputation Procedures

  • Digit Amputation Surgery

    • Removes a damaged or diseased toe that may be causing pain, infection, or immobility.

  • Limb Amputation Surgery

    • Performed when a limb is severely injured or affected by cancer. Pets adapt remarkably well to three legs.

  • Tail Amputation Surgery

    • Recommended for chronic tail injuries or infections that don’t heal, improving quality of life.

  • Dewclaw Removal

    • Removes dewclaws that are prone to injury or overgrowth, especially when firmly attached to bone.

Reproductive and Hormonal Surgeries

  • Cryptorchid Surgery (Inguinal or Abdominal)

    • Removes retained testicles that haven't descended properly, which can become cancerous or hormonally problematic.

  • Pyometra Surgery

    • Emergency surgery to remove an infected uterus in unspayed females. This life-threatening condition requires urgent attention.

Urinary and Bladder Procedures

  • Cystotomy

    • Surgically opens the bladder to remove painful stones, tumors, or blockages, restoring urinary health.

Gastrointestinal Surgeries

  • Enterotomy Surgery

    • Opens the intestines to remove foreign objects or obstructions causing vomiting or pain.

  • Gastrotomy

    • A surgical procedure to remove objects or materials from the stomach.

  • Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) Surgery

    • Emergency surgery for "bloat," a dangerous twisting of the stomach that can quickly become fatal.

  • Gastropexy

    • Prevents future GDV (bloat) by tacking the stomach in place—often done preventively in at-risk breeds.

  • Resection and Anastomosis

    • Removes a diseased segment of intestine and reconnects the healthy ends to restore function.

Soft Tissue Surgeries

  • Hernia Repair (including Umbilical and Diaphragmatic)

    • Fixes abdominal or diaphragmatic hernias that can allow organs to move into abnormal areas and cause serious issues.

  • Laceration Repair

    • Surgical closure of deep or large wounds to promote healing and prevent infection.

  • Anal Gland Removal (Single)

    • Removes a persistently infected or problematic anal gland causing pain or abscesses.

  • Vulvoplasty

    • Reshapes the skin around the vulva to relieve recurrent infections or irritation caused by deep skin folds.

Eye and Ear Surgeries

  • Entropion Surgery

    • Corrects eyelids that roll inward, preventing the eyelashes from rubbing against the eye and causing ulcers or pain.

  • Eye Enucleation Surgery

    • Removes a blind, painful, or severely damaged eye to improve comfort and quality of life.

  • Cherry Eye (Prolapsed Nictitans Gland) Surgery

    • Repairs the prolapsed tear gland in the third eyelid, restoring tear production and comfort.

  • Proptosed Eye Reduction (Single/Bilateral)

    • Emergency repositioning of an eye that has popped out due to trauma.

  • Ear Hematoma Surgery

    • Drains blood from a swollen ear flap and repairs the tissue to prevent recurrence or deformity.

If your pet needs surgery, we’re here to help every step of the way.
Call Us Today!
Frequently Asked Questions
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  • 01 Is anesthesia safe for my pet?

    We do everything in our power to ensure our patients are safe under anesthesia.

    We do a thorough physical exam on your pet before administering anesthetics, to ensure that a fever or other illness won't be a problem. We also adjust the amount and type of anesthetic used depending on the health of your pet.

    Each patient has a dedicated technician closely monitoring their vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, and level of oxygen in the blood, while the doctor performs the procedure, ensuring instant action if any anomalies arise.

  • 02 Why do you require preanesthetic bloodwork?

    Pre-anesthetic blood testing is important in reducing the risk of anesthesia. Every pet needs blood testing before surgery to ensure that the liver and kidneys can handle the anesthetic. Even apparently healthy animals can have serious organ system problems that cannot be detected without blood testing.

    If there is a problem, it is much better to find it before it causes anesthetic or surgical complications. For geriatric or ill pets, additional blood tests, electrocardiograms, or x-rays may be required before surgery as well.

  • 03 What do I need to know about withholding food and water?

    It is important that surgery be done on an empty stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia. Do not give your buddy any food after 10:00 PM the night before anesthesia and no water after 6:00 AM the morning of their procedure.

  • 04 What time do I drop off?

    Pets need to be dropped off at 8:00 AM the day of surgery. You will be asked to sign some paperwork while we make your buddy comfortable in their own kennel in the treatment area. This includes an anesthesia approval form and a customized care plan.

  • 06 What other decisions do I need to make?

    If your pet is having a dental cleaning, we may recommend extracting teeth that have significant dental disease. You'll need decide whether to authorize extractions as the doctor deems necessary, or if you prefer to be reached by phone to give authorization during the procedure.

    While your pet is under anesthesia, it is also the ideal time to perform other minor procedures, such as anal gland expression, ear cleaning, or implanting a microchip. If you would like an estimate for these extra services, please call ahead of time.

  • 05 When can I pick my pet up?

    We will call or text to update you when your buddy is waking up and at that point we'll also give you a pick-up time. This is generally in the mid to late afternoon but will depend on the timing of your buddy's surgery and recovery.

  • 05 What do I need to know about bringing my pet home after surgery?

    Your pet will be going home with a compression bandage on their front leg. This is where the IV was placed. You'll need to remove the bandage an hour after returning home or swelling and pain can occur.

    We recommend a half portion of food and water the evening after surgery. If your buddy had dental extractions please give them soft food, either canned food or moistened kibble, for at least a week.

    Chances are good you'll be going home with some medications for your pet. You can begin any medication the evening you bring your buddy home, unless directed otherwise.

  • 04 Will my pet have stitches?

    For some surgeries, such as spays or dental extractions, we use absorbable sutures underneath the skin. These will dissolve on their own and do not need to be removed later. Some surgeries, especially tumor removals, do require skin sutures or staples.

    With either type of suture, you will need to keep an eye on the incision. It's normal to see some faint bleeding from new incisions over the first 24 hours. It's important to let us know if you see any heavy bleeding, discharge, redness, or swelling, particularly after the initial recovery period.

    We will likely recommend an e-collar (cone) to go home to prevent your buddy from chewing or licking at the surgery site. If there are sutures or staples, these will usually be removed 14 days after surgery at a technician appointment. You will also need to limit your pet's activity level for a time and no baths are allowed for the first 14 days after surgery.

  • 05 Will my pet be in pain?

    Pain management is an essential component of compassionate care in veterinary medicine. We don't want any of our patients to ever be in pain, however after surgery or dental extractions some discomfort in unavoidable. We strive to anticipate their pain and send home appropriate pain control medications to ease their port-operative discomfort.

    We rely on you to partner with us to monitor your pet's pain. Pets may not show the same symptoms of pain as people; they may whine or whimper, have trouble getting comfortable, or hide. If you see any of these signs after giving your pet their prescibed medications, please call us.

  • 05 What can I do to maintain my pet's newly clean teeth?

    Regularly brushing your pet’s teeth is the single most effective thing you can do to keep their teeth healthy between dental cleanings! Daily brushing is best, but even brushing several times a week can be effective. We recommend starting home dental care about two weeks after your pet's dentistry to give the gums time to heal. For more information on home dental care, visit the AVMA (American Veterinary Medcial Association.)