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Common Surgical Procedures for Cats and Dogs
Our experienced veterinary team performs a wide range of surgical procedures. Below are some of the most commonly performed surgeries in cats and dogs:
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Elective procedures, including spays and neuters
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Hernia repairs
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Dental procedures, including professional cleanings and surgical extractions
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Bladder stone removal
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Aural hematoma repair
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Wound and laceration repair
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Foreign body removal (when a pet has ingested a non-food item)
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Mass removals, including tumors and other growths
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Biopsies for diagnostic evaluation
If your pet requires surgery, we will always discuss the procedure, recovery expectations, and costs with you in detail before proceeding.
Specialist Surgical Procedures
At Mike’s Vet, we can coordinate an in-house specialist to perform more advanced procedures — including orthopedic and complex soft tissue surgeries — right here in our clinic. This minimises referral delays and keeps your pet’s care seamless, convenient, and far less stressful.
Having surgery in a familiar environment can greatly reduce anxiety for both pets and their families, while maintaining continuity of care with our team.
For patients who require additional anesthetic support, we offer a customised anesthesia protocol as an optional service. Our anesthesia team works alongside us in real time to develop an individualised plan and provide expert oversight throughout the procedure.
This additional level of monitoring and expertise enhances safety — particularly for senior pets, those with underlying health conditions, or patients considered higher surgical risk.
What to Expect
Before your pet’s surgery, we will schedule a pre-operative appointment to review the procedure and ensure they are fit for anesthesia. This visit includes a thorough physical examination and pre-surgical bloodwork to confirm your pet is healthy and safe to proceed.
The evening before surgery, please withhold food from midnight onward. Water may still be offered. It’s important that everyone in the household is aware of the fasting instructions to prevent accidental feeding.
On the day of the procedure, you’ll admit your pet in the morning. They will remain with us until surgery is completed and they have fully recovered from anesthesia. Throughout the day, we’ll keep you updated on their progress, including photos or videos for reassurance.
In most cases, pets are discharged later the same day, unless additional monitoring is required.
Post-Surgery Care
Recovery time and aftercare instructions will vary depending on the procedure your pet has undergone. Most pets recover smoothly from anesthesia. Mild grogginess, temporary anxiety, or slight restlessness is normal during the first 24 hours.
Some pets may seem ready to resume normal activity quickly, but it’s important to keep them calm to allow proper healing. Activity should be restricted — dogs should go out only for short, controlled leash walks for toileting. We will advise you on the specific recovery timeline based on your pet’s surgery.
Keeping your pet in a quiet, confined space helps prevent running, jumping, or rough play. For dogs, crate rest can be very helpful. Ensure bedding is clean and dry to reduce the risk of infection. Cats should have easy access to a clean litter tray, and stimulating toys that encourage jumping or energetic play should be temporarily removed. Gentle enrichment, such as chew toys or food puzzles, can help keep them mentally occupied while resting.
Your pet will go home with appropriate pain relief to ensure comfort, along with an Elizabethan collar (E-collar) to prevent licking, chewing, or irritating the surgical site.
For procedures involving anesthesia, we will schedule a complimentary post-operative check approximately either 7 or 10–14 days later to monitor healing and remove sutures if required.