Surgery Procedures

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Laryngeal Paralysis

The opening to the trachea (“wind pipe”) normally is pulled open on two sides when breathing in, and relaxes when breathing out. In dogs and cats with laryngeal paralysis, the muscles that normally pull the airway open do not function properly. When an affected pet breathes in, the walls of the airway do not pull open—rather, they are sucked into the opening, or in severe cases sucked shut. Early in the condition, this creates increased noise when they breathe; later, it can completely obstruct their airway, and they can suffocate.

Limb-Sparing Procedures

Limb sparing is a broad term referring to various surgical treatments for cancer in the limbs of animals where complete amputation would normally be recommended but is not possible due to concerns of concurrent orthopedic or neurologic conditions or poor expected recovery.

Perineal Hernia

A perineal hernia results from a weakening of the muscles that support the rectum (pelvic diaphragm). These hernias begin to bulge when they fill with fat, abdominal tissue, or the urinary bladder, or when part of the rectum slides into the pocket.

Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA)

Tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) is surgical treatment for cranial cruciate ligament injuries. The biomechanical rationale for TTA is that a forward shift in the position of the tibial tuberosity counteracts the instability created within the stifle following a CCL tear. In this procedure, the tibial tuberosity is secured with specially designed implants so that the patellar ligament is perpendicular to the tibial plateau.

Total Hip Replacement (THR)

A total hip replacement (THR) is a surgical procedure during which the entire hip joint is replaced. This creates a new joint for the body to use. Typically, THR is used in older cases of hip dysplasia, severe trauma, or hip luxation. It can be performed on cats and dogs as small as 4 pounds.

Upper Airway Surgery

Many different problems can affect the upper airway and compromise the flow of air. Brachycephalic (often referred to as “flat face”) dogs and cats are more prone to upper airway abnormalities and can often have several different conditions at once.

Ureteral Stent

The ureter is a hollow tube that is designed to transport urine from the kidney to the bladder. An obstruction of the ureter can occur for various reasons, including ureteral stones, trauma, strictures (scarring or narrowing), etc. A ureteral stent is a device designed to maintain the flow of urine from the kidney to the bladder when the ureter becomes obstructed.

Urethrostomy

A urethrostomy is a surgical procedure that can be performed on dogs and cats to open the urethra. This is done in cases of urethral obstruction, which can be life-threatening.