Pet Exploratory Surgeries In Baytown, TX
When your pet gets sick or starts exhibiting any unusual behavior, you know a visit to us is in order. After careful evaluation, we could suggest performing a pet exploratory surgery.
Exploratory surgeries are a very useful way to investigate any problems inside your pet’s abdomen that can not be diagnosed from the outside. This surgical procedure can be performed on both cats and dogs. When we suggest exploratory surgery, it’s normal for people to have questions and want to understand the procedure. Here’s what you need to know about the exploratory surgery services at Baytown Animal Hospital.
What Is Exploratory Surgery?
An exploratory surgery, also called a laparotomy, is a form of surgery performed on the abdominal region. When all previous attempts to identify the underlying cause of a major abdominal issue have failed, we often employ exploratory surgery as the last option to help us establish an accurate diagnosis. This is due to the procedure's ability to directly examine the damaged organs, which might show early sickness symptoms that could otherwise go undetected.
Why Does My Pet Need Exploratory Surgery?
There are quite a few reasons why your pet might need exploratory surgery. Some of them are:
- Foreign Body Obstruction
- Abnormal Lab Results
- Biopsies
- Tumor Extraction
Every pet owner knows dogs and cats alike can be very curious, which leads to them ingesting a dangerous range of objects. From unnoticeable needles to bulky plush toys, if your pet swallows something they shouldn’t have, this will probably end up having to be removed through exploratory surgery.
If your pet is feeling under the weather, get them to us so they can get a series of diagnostic tests done that can help us shine a light on some abnormalities in their organs or digestive system. Once we have the proper lab results and confirmation from an ultrasound or x-ray, we will let you know whether exploratory surgery is necessary or not.
The same can be said for any abnormal growth inside the abdomen. Getting an ultrasound or x-ray to try and confirm the presence of a cyst is sometimes not enough. We would need to perform a pet exploratory surgery and take a sample of the growth to find out whether the cyst is cancerous or not.
What Is The Procedure Like?
It might sound like a scary procedure, but we will be taking all of the necessary measures to make sure this experience passes as smoothly and fast as it can, and your pet suffers no discomfort. To start, your pet will be given general anesthesia, and a sizable piece of its underbelly will be shaved in case there is a need to elongate the planned incision.
In order to concurrently examine all the lower body organs, a lengthwise incision is made along the abdomen during the process. We will then take a look at the organs and lift them if necessary for closer inspection. This will only be done if there is still no conclusive evidence at this point. It could also be necessary to cut into some organs to take a closer, internal look. Following the examination, the incision is cleansed and sutured shut. The entire process often takes no longer than an hour.
Is Exploratory Surgery Effective?
Exploratory surgery is an extremely practical way for our team of veterinarians to get to the root of a problem. While many diagnostic techniques have a tendency to overlook some elements, exploratory surgery enables a far more thorough examination of the abdominal cavity and its organs. The technique is typically the final step needed to provide a precise diagnosis.
What Does Surgical Recovery Entail?
The majority of pets recover from this surgery pretty easily and return to their regular routines after a week or two. Pain medication is typically administered for several days at home and can be a crucial component of the healing process. Your pet may have a couple of staples or stitches located under their skin that will disappear over time, and some sutures on the exterior of the skin that will need to be removed by a vet from 10 to 14 days following the surgery.
To lessen the risk of your pet opening their wounds or infecting them, they will be required to wear an Elizabethan collar while the skin incision is in the process of healing. This will make it impossible for them to lick or bite it. As an additional recovery measure, some pets could also require a particular diet as they recuperate.
As with any major procedure, Baytown Animal Hospital advises owners to limit their dog's exercise on the days after the procedure to avoid damaging the incision.
If you got to this page by looking for “veterinary exploratory surgery service near me”, we’ve got you covered. For any unanswered questions you have, or if you want to get more information about our pet exploratory surgery services, give us a call, we will be more than happy to assist you.
