Surgery

For a veterinarian in general practice, making the leap into the world of tiny incisions can feel like anything but minimal in terms of training and equipment. Veterinary surgeon Chris Thomson answers some common questions regarding learning curves, feasibility, how to get started, and basic equipment needs.

The timing of spay/neuter surgery—the first major milestone veterinarians must guide a puppy or kitten through—is a big decision for most pet owners. But there is no one-size-fits-all schedule for this procedure. When to sterilize depends on species, gender, and breed, and vets should customize their recommendations to accommodate individual pet needs.

Lateral suture stabilization is a viable treatment option for cranial cruciate ligament injury in dogs. Here are key points for increasing success in these cases.

Boaz Man, DVM, uses CO2 laser to surgically remove a growth from a patient's chin.

Judicious use of dexmedetomidine can be a useful adjunct in the management of dogs undergoing surgery to remove this pancreatic tumor.

Arlo, a 2-month-old intact male Siberian husky, was presented to his primary care veterinarian 1 week after being bitten on the muzzle by another dog.