Veterinary Surgery
Surgical Procedures for Dogs & Cats
We offer a range of surgical procedures to help dogs and cats recover from illness or injuries and stay healthy, happy and comfortably mobile, now and into the future.
We understand that the prospect of bringing your pet in for surgery can be worrying. Rest assured that we only recommend surgery when we feel it is in the best interests of your beloved companion.
Our veterinarians will explain why we are recommending surgery for your dog or cat and answer your questions so that you feel fully informed and comfortable making the decision to go ahead with the procedure.
Surgical Procedures
Our Halifax veterinarians may perform or refer out the following procedures:
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Soft Tissue Surgery
Soft tissue surgery covers a range of ear, nose, and throat procedures as well as mass removals and treatment of flesh wounds. It also encompasses a wide range of procedures involving internal organs. In other words, these procedures include everything not related to bones, joints, or the neurologic system.
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Spaying & Neutering
Spaying and neutering are common surgical procedures performed to sterilize dogs and cats, prevent disease, and provide pets with an extended life expectancy.
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C-Sections
Cesarean sections are performed to surgically remove puppies or kittens from their mother's uterus. Most dogs and cats can deliver puppies and kittens without the assistance of a veterinarian, but a C-section may need to be performed if the mother is unable to give birth naturally.
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Ocular Surgery
If your dog or cat is suffering from an eye condition, ocular surgery may be necessary to correct the problem. Common ocular surgeries include eyelid tumour removal, cataract surgery, ectropion surgery, entropion surgery, exenteration of the orbit and cherry eye surgery.
Please note that ocular surgeries are not performed at our location. If your pet is in need of a complex surgical procedure, we will refer them to a specialist.
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Mass Removal
Masses can grow on the skin, just under the skin, or inside the body. In some cases, masses are removed for aesthetic purposes, however, other masses can be serious or even life-threatening.
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Foreign Body Removal
Sometimes, foreign objects are ingested by your dog or cat and get lodged inside their body. Other times, accidents leave glass or other materials stuck in a paw or other parts of a pet's body.
Whether your pet has eaten an object they shouldn't have or experienced a physical injury, we can perform foreign body surgery to remove lodged items.
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Wound Repair
Wounds occur when living tissue has been cut, broken, burnt, torn, or otherwise damaged. It is imperative that wounds be properly cleaned, disinfected, and cared for by a qualified veterinarian as soon as possible. Wounds that are not cared for properly can quickly become infected.
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Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic surgeries correct injuries and conditions of the bones, ligaments, joints, tendons, and other skeletal structures in your cat or dog. Common veterinary orthopedic surgeries include tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) and femoral head ostectomy (FHO).
Please note that orthopedic surgeries are not performed at our location. If your pet is in need of a complex surgical procedure, we will refer them to a specialist.
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Dental Surgery
Our veterinarians provide dental surgeries to relieve pain and restore good oral health to dogs and cats. These surgeries can range from tooth extractions to gum disease treatment and jaw fracture repairs.
The Surgery Process
A thorough pre-surgical assessment will be performed before surgery begins. This assessment includes a physical examination of your companion as well as blood tests to determine if they face an increased risk of anesthesia-related complications.
During surgery, a dedicated nurse will administer anesthesia so your dog or cat is asleep and feels no pain during the procedure. They also monitor your cat or dog's vital signs throughout the procedure.
Following surgery, we will monitor your pet's recovery carefully and adjust pain medications as required. When your companion is ready to go home, your veterinarian will provide you with detailed instructions for at-home care.
Sterilization Protocols
Surgical protocols at our clinic include dedicated surgical suites. Our staff wear sterile attire at all times in the surgical suite, and we carefully clean, sterilize and wrap our surgical instruments and equipment before every surgery.
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Spaying & Neutering
Our veterinarians encourage all pet parents to spay or neuter their pets to help reduce the homeless animal population, curb unwanted behaviours and reduce the risk of some cancers. Request Appointment Keeping the Cat & Dog Population Healthy & Protected Neutering is a surgical procedure...»
New Patients Welcome
Lady Hammond Animal Hospital is accepting new patients from across the Halifax Regional Municipality! We'd love to welcome you and your cat or dog into our veterinary family. Get in touch to book your companion's first appointment.