When Your Pet Needs Surgery, Experience Matters
Learning that your pet needs surgery is rarely easy news. Questions about safety, recovery, and outcomes arrive fast, and the instinct to want the very best care for your companion is immediate and completely understandable. At Madison Veterinary Hospital, we have been performing veterinary soft tissue surgeries with skill and compassion for more than 50 years, and we approach every procedure, whether routine or complex, with your pet’s safety and comfort at the center of everything we do.
Soft tissue surgery encompasses a broad range of procedures involving the organs, muscles, skin, and other non-bony structures of the body. From spays and neuters to mass removals, bladder surgery, and abdominal exploratories, our experienced veterinary team provides thorough surgical care and the kind of attentive follow-through that makes a real difference during recovery.
Soft Tissue Procedures We Perform
Our surgical capabilities cover a wide range of conditions and needs. Common soft tissue surgeries performed at Madison Veterinary Hospital include:
Spay and Neuter
Pet owners throughout Royal Oak, Hazel Park, and Berkley regularly choose Madison Veterinary Hospital for soft tissue surgery because of our in-house diagnostic capabilities, experienced surgical team, and the continuity of care that comes with a practice that has known many of these patients their entire lives. Ovariohysterectomy and castration are among the most commonly performed veterinary surgeries and among the most beneficial. Beyond preventing unwanted litters, spaying eliminates the risk of uterine infections (pyometra) and significantly reduces the risk of certain cancers. Neutering reduces the risk of testicular cancer and prostate disease. We perform these procedures with the same level of attention and monitoring as any other surgical case.
Mass and Tumor Removal
Lumps and bumps on or beneath the skin are extremely common in pets, particularly as they age. Some are benign and cause no problems. Others require removal and histopathology to determine their nature. We evaluate masses thoroughly before recommending removal and discuss the reasoning and options with you clearly.
Gastropexy
A prophylactic gastropexy is a surgery that permanently attaches the stomach to the abdominal wall, preventing the life-threatening condition known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), or bloat. This procedure is strongly recommended for large and giant breed dogs, particularly those with deep chests. It is commonly performed at the time of a spay or neuter to minimize anesthetic events.
Cystotomy
A cystotomy is a surgical procedure to open the bladder, most commonly performed to remove bladder stones. Bladder stones cause pain, difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, and in severe cases, life-threatening urinary obstruction. When stones cannot be dissolved through dietary management, surgical removal is the most effective treatment.
Splenectomy
Splenic masses are common in dogs, particularly older, larger breeds. When a splenic mass is identified, whether on physical exam, imaging, or incidentally, surgical removal of the spleen is often recommended. We coordinate pre-surgical diagnostics to guide our approach and give you the most complete information possible before proceeding.
Intestinal Surgery
Foreign body ingestion is a frustratingly common surgical emergency in curious dogs and cats. When an object becomes lodged in the digestive tract and cannot pass on its own, surgical intervention is required to remove it and assess the health of surrounding tissue. We also perform intestinal resection and anastomosis when portions of the intestine are diseased or non-viable.
Abdominal Exploratory
When diagnostic imaging and labwork point to an internal problem but do not give us a definitive answer, an exploratory laparotomy allows us to directly visualize the abdominal organs, take samples, and address what we find. This is a procedure that requires careful surgical experience and sound clinical judgment.
Wound Repair and Laceration Management
Traumatic wounds, bite wounds, and lacerations often require surgical debridement and repair. We assess wound severity thoroughly and develop a repair plan that prioritizes healing and minimizes the risk of infection.
Enucleation and Eyelid Surgery
In cases of severe ocular disease, trauma, or inoperable glaucoma, removal of the eye may be the most compassionate option for relieving pain. We also perform eyelid surgeries for conditions such as entropion, where the eyelid rolls inward and causes chronic irritation to the eye’s surface.
And More
Many of our soft tissue procedures are performed using our veterinary surgical laser, which reduces bleeding, minimizes post-operative pain, and supports faster recovery. Our surgical capabilities extend beyond this list. If your pet requires a soft tissue procedure not listed here, please call us at 248-399-5225 to discuss whether we are the right fit for your pet’s specific needs.
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Pre-Surgical Workup: What Happens Before Your Pet Goes Under
We do not perform surgery without preparation, and that preparation starts well before the procedure date.
Every surgical patient at Madison Veterinary Hospital receives a pre-anesthetic physical exam and bloodwork. Depending on your pet’s age and health history, this panel may include a complete blood count, blood chemistry profile, electrolytes, and urinalysis. For older pets or those with known health conditions, additional diagnostics such as chest X-rays or an electrocardiogram may be recommended. This information tells us whether your pet is healthy enough for anesthesia, guides our anesthetic protocol, and establishes baseline values we can reference during recovery.
Our team will contact you in advance of the procedure to review your pet’s fasting instructions, answer any last-minute questions, and make sure you feel informed and prepared going into surgery day.
Anesthesia Monitoring: Your Pet Is Never Left Alone
We take anesthesia safety seriously, and our monitoring protocols reflect that commitment at every step.
Once your pet is anesthetized, a dedicated veterinary technician is assigned to monitor their vitals continuously throughout the procedure. We track heart rate and rhythm using electrocardiography, blood pressure, oxygen saturation via pulse oximetry, respiratory rate and tidal volume, body temperature, and depth of anesthesia. An intravenous catheter is in place throughout the procedure, allowing us to administer fluids to support blood pressure and circulation and to deliver any emergency medications quickly if needed. Active warming support helps maintain your pet’s body temperature, which is a critical factor in safe anesthesia and smooth recovery.
We use this same rigorous approach for every patient, regardless of the length or complexity of the procedure.
Pain Management: Before, During, and After Surgery
Effective pain management is not an afterthought at Madison Veterinary Hospital. It is built into every surgical plan from the beginning.
Before your pet’s procedure, we administer pre-operative pain medications that reduce the overall amount of anesthetic needed and provide a foundation of comfort that carries into recovery. During surgery, our veterinarians use local anesthetic techniques where appropriate to further minimize discomfort. After the procedure, we send pets home with a tailored pain management plan that typically includes oral medications and specific instructions for monitoring comfort and healing at home.
For eligible patients, laser therapy applied to the surgical site during the recovery period can further accelerate healing and reduce inflammation. We also ask you to call us if you have any concerns about your pet’s pain level during recovery. You know your pet, and if something does not seem right, we want to hear from you.
Recovery Support
The work does not end when surgery is complete. Our team will walk you through post-operative care instructions in detail before your pet goes home. These instructions will cover activity restrictions, incision care, signs of complications to watch for, and the schedule for recheck appointments. We are available by phone if questions come up during recovery, and we genuinely mean it when we say do not hesitate to call.
For patients from Royal Oak, Ferndale, Warren, Sterling Heights, or other surrounding communities, our team is accessible by phone throughout the recovery period and will schedule follow-up care promptly.
Surgical Care Backed by Five Decades of Experience
Since 1970, Madison Veterinary Hospital has been a trusted resource for veterinary surgical care in the metro Detroit area. We are proud to be AAHA-accredited and to have been named one of Newsweek’s Best Veterinary Hospitals in America in both 2025 and 2026 — recognitions that reflect the dedication of our entire team. Our doctors bring significant experience in soft tissue surgery across a wide range of conditions, and they approach every case with the care and attention they would want for their own animals. When your pet needs surgery, we want you to feel confident that they are in capable, compassionate hands.
