Soft tissue surgery

​

Soft tissue surgery includes surgeries not associated with bone. In cases where less invasive treatments have proven to be ineffective, soft tissue and surgical procedures are the next step in ensuring your pet's optimal health.

Before you bring in your pet for surgery, the veterinarian will give you pre-surgery directions, discuss the details of the procedure with you and ensure you are comfortable and aware of the process. We carefully examine all patients before their procedures to ensure that they are healthy enough to undergo anesthesia. Our team carefully moniters patients during and after surgery for their safety, ensuring they are as comfortable and pain-free as possible. We understand surgery can be a scary thing, and at Bay Ridges Animal Clinic, we prioritize our patient's health and safety every step of the way.

​

Some common procedures we perform are:

​

• Spay and neuter

• Growth removal

• Bladder stone removal

• Exploratory surgery

• Wound and laceration repair

• Foreign object removal

​

Orthopedic surgery

​

Orthopedic surgery refers to bone surgery. Bone surgery may be necessary when there is leg fracture, hip dysplasia, disc disease, etc. We refer these cases to a Board Certified Veterinary Surgeon.

​

Spay & neuter

​

Why should I neuter/spay my dog or cat?

​

Neutering or spaying your dog or cat helps to prevent unwanted pregnancies and greatly reduce the risk of your pet developing serious health problems throughout their life. Having your female pet spayed lowers her risk of mammary tumours and cancer, as well as makes her less likely to get uterine infections and eliminates the risk of ovarian cancer.

When you have your male pet neutered, you eliminate the risk of testicular cancer and lower the risk of prostate problems.

Both spaying and neutering lower the risk of hormonal issues and endocrine disorders, like diabetes. In many pets, these procedures will help control behaviours such as aggression, roaming, spraying, howling and more.

​

When should I neuter my dog or cat?

​

Cats: We recommend male cats and kittens be neutered at five and a half months old, before any objectionable behaviours develop.

​

Dogs: We recommend that male dogs not be neutered until they are a year old, to reduce the risk of some cancers and lessen the chances of bone and joint conditions. However, due to behavioural issues that emerge earlier, it may be necessary to neuter your dog early on. Your veterinarian can discuss what works best for your dog or puppy.

​

When should I spay my dog or cat?

​

Cats: We recommend that kittens and cats be spayed at five and a half months old, before their first heat. Spaying before their first heat prevents breast cancer later on. Mothers must cease nursing and lactating for two weeks before their spaying procedure. 

​

Dogs: We recommend that puppies or dogs be spayed at five and a half months old, before their first heat. Spaying before the first heat prevents breast cancer later on. However, mature dogs will also benefit from this procedure. If your dog has come into heat, you should wait six weeks before spaying. Mothers must cease nursing and lactating for six weeks before their spaying procedure. 

​