Pet Soft Tissue Surgery Melbourne

Where pets are family and vet care feels personal.

With advanced techniques and compassionate care, our surgeons handle everything from minor wounds to complex soft tissue procedures, helping pets recover quickly and comfortably.

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What is soft tissue surgery for pets?

Soft tissue surgery refers to any surgical procedure involving the skin, muscles, internal organs, and body cavities.
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This includes routine surgery such as desexing, surgical removal of lumps and bumps, surgical repair of wounds and abscesses, and urgent surgery for intestinal obstruction or pyometra.

Our services

Mass/lump removal
Surgical removal of an abnormal mass or lump that is cancerous and/or bothersome for your pet.

This can be quick and straightforward, or more complex based on the nature of the lump, its size and location.
Abscess or wound repair
Abscesses and wounds may have infection, foreign material, and unhealthy tissue that will delay or prevent healing.

Surgical treatment includes removing debris or foreign material, thorough cleaning, removing unhealthy tissue, and possibly closing the wound to speed healing.
Foreign body removal
Foreign bodies in pets can be either external or internal.

Treatment involves locating the object, carefully extracting it, and thoroughly cleaning and flushing the area. In some situations, we may recommend exploratory surgery to find and remove the foreign body.
Anal gland surgery
Anal gland removal can be indicated for dogs suffering incessant anal gland discomfort and infections.

In many cases, symptoms can first be managed with regular expression and medication before surgery is considered.
Pyometra surgery
Female dogs are at risk of developing this serious infection in the uterus (womb).

It can happen at any age and is one of the main reasons for desexing female dogs before their first or second season.

What's involved in soft tissue surgery?

On arrival, we review the consent form, answer questions, weigh your pet, and conduct a vet and nurse pre-anaesthetic check. If planned, we also collect and process blood samples.

Before anaesthesia: Your pet is settled into a comfortable kennel and given a light sedative to help them relax.
During preparation: A vet and nurse place an IV catheter, administer anaesthetic, and insert a breathing tube for oxygen and gas anaesthesia.
In surgery: Our nurse monitors vital signs while the surgical area is clipped, sterilised, and operated on under strict sterile conditions.
After surgery: Your pet recovers on a warm blanket with close monitoring.
Discharge: Once awake and stable, we update you and provide clear instructions on medication, rest, feeding and aftercare.

FAQs

How do I know if my pet needs soft tissue surgery?

Our team is here to help. Whether you're considering desexing or are concerned your pet may be unwell and in need of surgery, get in touch with us. We’re happy to talk it through and guide you on the next steps.

Is soft-tissue surgery painful for my pet?

We take pain management seriously. Your pet’s comfort is our priority. We use a combination of pain relief methods during surgery and throughout their recovery. Rest and limited activity during the healing phase also play a key role in keeping them comfortable.
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If you’re ever concerned your pet is in pain after surgery, please don’t hesitate to contact us, we’re here to help.

How long does recovery take?

This depends on the type of surgery. Most surgical skin wounds will heal in 10-14 days. It is important that they rest during this time for rapid healing and minimal discomfort.

If you are worried your pet will not be very good at resting, let us know and we may be able to prescribe something to keep them calm while they recover.

Will my pet need to stay overnight?

We do not have overnight staffing here at Northside Vet, so we do not keep patients here overnight after surgery.
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Pets are mostly able to go home on the same day. If they need overnight care, we will recommend transferring them to Advanced Vetcare Kew who are just a few minutes away and fully staffed and equipped to provide out of hours care.

How can I prepare my pet for surgery?

Your pet will need to be fasted from the evening before their anaesthetic—no food after 10pm, but water is fine overnight. We recommend taking dogs for a short walk in the morning so they can use the toilet before arriving.
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If your pet is on regular medication, please give it as usual unless we've advised otherwise. If you have any questions about feeding, medication, or the procedure, don’t hesitate to contact us, we’re here to help.