Tampa vet, veterinarian in Tampa, FL

Surgical Procedures - These are some of the most commonly performed:

Aural Hematoma
'Aural' (not 'oral') means 'pertaining to the ear.' The aural hematoma results when an animal breaks a blood vessel in the flap of the ear. The ear flap fills with blood and becomes like a heavy water balloon hanging from the pet's head. Surgery is performed to remove the fresh and clotted blood and treat the ear so the hematoma is less likely to reoccur. Most hematomas occur secondary to head shaking and ear scratching associated with ear infections or allergies.

Eyelid Masses

Most masses growing from the eyelids of pets are due to benign tumors of the tear glands. These can become large and ulcerated and can cause rubbing or scratching on the cornea. They can also be uncomfortable for the pet and cause the pet to scratch its own cornea, causing a corneal ulceration. Eyelid masses need to be removed when small to allow for ease of surgery and complete removal for the pet.

Entropion/Ectropion

This is abnormal inward rolling of the eyelids (Entropion) or outward rolling of the eyelids (Ectropion). Entropion allows the eyelashes or the eyelids themselves to rub on the cornea. This causes corneal irritations, scratches, eye infections, increased pigmentation, etc. Ectropion allows a space to form around the globe of the eye and the eyelid. This space allows for collection of unwanted debris and matter and can lead to eye irritations and infections. Correction of these underlying disorders can help with preventing the secondary conditions.

Oral Masses

Oral masses can be either benign or malignant. They can be simple or invasive. Oral masses need to be removed or at best biopsied to determine type of mass and if additional treatment is needed. Some oral masses can be removed by themselves, while other may require teeth or jaw to be removed with it.

Dental Surgery

Dental disease is very common among pets. 80-85% of all pets have some form of dental disease. If left untreated, dental disease of plaque and tartar formation can lead to periodontal disease and loosing of the teeth. Teeth that are loose, fractured, have cavities or carries, pulp exposure, etc and that can't be saved need to be surgically removed. This requires removing the root of the tooth as well as the crown, then closure of the tooth socket.

The Bite Wound Abscess
This is most commonly a cat disorder. A week doesn't go by around here without seeing a cat or two in this condition. Cats fight, bite, and get infected. Cats carry some very nasty bacteria in their mouths. When they bite another cat, they puncture that bacteria under the skin of the affected cat. The bacteria is now in a warm, moist environment and begins to grow and multiply. Because the bacteria is in a contained space, an abscess forms. This is a pus filled space within the body. These abscesses must be surgically opened, drained and flushed and the pet treated with broad spectrum antibiotics.

Cherry Eye
A cheery eye is a swelling and protrusion of the gland of the third eyelid. This swelling and inflammation can sometimes be treated with medications, but most pets will require surgery to correct this problem. The term cherry eye comes from the fact that the swelling and protrusion resembles a cherry. Surgery allows repositioning of the swollen tissue to try and prevent a repeat prolapse. This gland is needed for optimal tear production.

Lymph Node Biopsy

Enlargement of the lymph nodes can be associated with benign enlargement, reaction to some other infection or inflammation of the body or cancer. A biopsy of the lymph node is often needed to determine the cause for enlargement and then what treatment options are available.

Declawing
Declawing of your cat is recommended if the cat is using their claws to be destructive in the home, causing harm to people or other pets. Declawing should be chosen only after other attempts have been made at training your cat to use a scratching post, keeping the nails trimmed and/or the use of soft paws nail covers.

Mammary Tumors in Pets

We all know the importance of breast cancer and its prevention in our own species but it may be a surprise to find that breast (mammary) cancer is important for our pets, too. Most mammary tumors occur in female dogs or cats that have not been spayed. Mammary tumors can be benign or malignant, but removal of either is needed since these masses can become quite large or ulcerate. Chest x-rays (radiographs are needed before surgery to look for metastatic masses).

Canine Neuter
Neutering a dog will help prevent or curtail a number of unpleasant behavioral problems and can also prevent prostate disease. Since this surgery involves removal of the testicles, testicular diseases are eliminated. This surgery is an important part of responsible pet ownership.

Feline Neutering

This is probably the single more important procedure we will do for your male cat. Neutering a male cat reduces behavioral problems such as spraying, urine marking, aggression, roaming, cat fights (and subsequent abscesses - see above).

Pyometra
"Pyometra" is the life-threatening infection of the uterus which generally occurs in middle-aged to older unspayed female dogs in the six weeks following heat. The uterus with pyometra swells dramatically and is filled with pus, bacteria, dying tissue, and toxins. Without treatment, the pet is may die from septic infections and is very serious should the uterus rupture.

Sebaceous Gland Tumors
If you have an older dog and the 'warts' are not confined to the face or mouth, then these may be sebaceous gland tumors. These annoying tumors are most likely benign, but can be malignant and are generally numerous. Removal while small is ideal and pathological evaluation is needed to determine if benign or malignant as this may change the overall treatment plan.

The Canine/Feline Spay
Spaying your pet dog and cat is very important, not only to keep down pet overpopulation, but for the health of your pet, as well. Spaying involves removal of the ovaries and uterus. This prevents your pet from coming into their heat or estrus cycle. This also eliminates the desire for mating and pregnancies. Spaying also reduces the chances of developing mammary cancer and eliminates the occurrence of ovarian and uterine cancer or disease as these portions are removed.

Splenic Masses
The spleen is an organ that helps store red blood cells and helps with immune function by acting like a lymph node, but when it grows even a benign growth a life-threatening spleen rupture can occur. Fortunately, we can live quite happily without a spleen. Sometimes, though, removing the spleen is only the beginning, especially is the mass is malignant.

Skin Masses

Skin masses can be of all types and sizes. Skin masses can be benign (such as lipoma's or fatty tumors) or malignant (such as mast cell tumors). Skin masses should have a fine needle aspirate performed before surgery if possible to try to determine type of masses. Type of mass generally can help with determination of malignancy and then how large the surgical margins need to be. Pathology is recommended for all masses that are removed. The prevailing thought is "If the mass is important enough to remove, then its important enough to have pathology tested".

Anal Gland Removal/Anal Sac Tumors

Anal glands that are constantly getting full, having difficulty being expressed, cause scooting or licking or have masses or tumors associated with them need to be removed. Surgical removal is done with great care to not cause damage to the surrounding rectal tissue.

Amputation

Limbs, ears, appendages, etc that have cancer or severe trauma may need to be amputated. Dogs and cats don't have the mental hang-up that most people do with amputations. In most cases, the pets are very happy to have the offending body part removed as they no longer have to deal with the deficiencies.

Intestinal Foreign Body Removal

Dogs and cats will eat strange objects. They like to ingest toys, shoe strings, rawhides, balls...basically anything they can get into their mouth and swallow. Foreign bodies that cause blockage or obstructions need to be removed surgically. If not removed, foreign bodies can be fatal.

There are many surgeries that need to be performed by a specialist due to the complexity of the surgery, tools and implants needed, specialized training of the specialist. We will assist you in determination if a specialist is needed for your pet's procedure.