Skip to content Surgical care at Elgin Park Animal Hospital in South Surrey is performed with careful preparation, attentive anesthesia monitoring, and thorough post-operative support. Whether your pet needs a routine spay or neuter, soft tissue surgery, or a more complex procedure, our team prioritizes their safety and comfort at every stage. We take time to explain the procedure, answer your questions, and keep you informed throughout recovery. We serve dogs and cats across South Surrey, White Rock, and the surrounding area. Call (604) 531-3394 to discuss your pet's surgical needs.
Spaying and neutering are among the most commonly performed veterinary procedures and carry significant health benefits. Spaying female pets eliminates the risk of uterine infections (pyometra) and reduces the risk of mammary tumors. Neutering male pets removes the risk of testicular cancer and reduces the incidence of prostate issues. The right timing varies by breed and size. Small to medium dogs are typically spayed or neutered around six months. Large and giant breed dogs benefit from waiting until nine to eighteen months, as hormones support healthy skeletal development. Cats are generally spayed or neutered at four to five months. Your veterinarian will recommend timing based on your pet's individual circumstances.
Soft tissue surgery encompasses a broad range of procedures involving internal organs and body systems outside of the skeleton and joints. Common soft tissue surgeries include removal of masses and growths, intestinal procedures for obstruction or perforation, bladder surgery (cystotomy) for stones or chronic bladder conditions, splenectomy for splenic masses or rupture, and stomach procedures including gastrostomy (feeding tube placement) and gastrotomy for foreign body removal or stomach conditions. Each procedure is planned individually based on your pet's health status, with bloodwork and a pre-operative assessment completed before any elective surgery.
Orthopedic surgery addresses conditions affecting your pet's bones, joints, and musculoskeletal system. Common orthopedic procedures include fracture repair, luxating patella correction, femoral head and neck excision for hip pain relief, and surgical management of ligament injuries. Orthopedic cases are assessed individually with physical examination and imaging before a surgical plan is developed. Post-operative rehabilitation and activity restriction are important components of recovery, and we provide clear written instructions for home care following every orthopedic procedure.
When a growth or lump requires removal, surgical excision is often the most definitive approach. At Elgin Park Animal Hospital, tumor removal is performed with attention to appropriate margins and minimal disruption to surrounding tissue. Removed tissue is typically submitted for histopathology to confirm the nature of the growth and guide any follow-up decisions. We discuss all findings with you clearly and outline recommended next steps based on the pathology results. Early surgical removal of suspicious masses generally leads to better outcomes.
Dental surgery, including extractions and oral procedures, is performed under general anesthesia with full monitoring. Extractions are necessary when teeth are severely diseased, fractured, or causing pain that cannot be resolved through cleaning alone. Removing a painful tooth can transform a pet's comfort and appetite almost immediately. Pre-operative dental X-rays allow us to assess root structure and make surgical decisions with confidence. Dental surgery is also covered in more detail on our Dental Care page.
Eye procedures at Elgin Park Animal Hospital address conditions including entropion (eyelid rolling inward), ectropion, cherry eye repair, and removal of eye masses or growths. Eye surgeries require precision and careful post-operative management. We approach every ocular procedure with the goal of preserving comfort and function. In cases where more specialized ocular surgery is required, we will discuss referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist in the Lower Mainland.
When a pet experiences difficulty during labor or when a planned cesarean section is indicated by the size of the litter or the dam's conformation, we provide attentive surgical support. Cesarean sections are time-sensitive procedures, and our team is experienced in managing both the mother and the newborns throughout the procedure and recovery. Post-operative guidance is provided to support the mother's recovery and help you manage the care of newborns in the early days.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) is a life-threatening emergency most commonly seen in large and giant breed dogs. The stomach fills with gas and rotates, cutting off blood supply to surrounding organs. GDV requires immediate surgical intervention. If your dog shows signs of distress, a distended abdomen, unproductive retching, or sudden collapse, contact us immediately. Early surgical intervention significantly improves outcomes. We also discuss preventive measures with large breed dog owners, including awareness of risk factors.
When diagnostic imaging and bloodwork do not provide a definitive answer for persistent symptoms, exploratory surgery can allow direct assessment of the abdominal organs. This approach is used when internal bleeding, unusual masses, intestinal obstruction, or other conditions are suspected. We discuss the findings intraoperatively when possible and provide a full report following the procedure so you are fully informed about what was found and any next steps recommended.
Elgin Park Animal Hospital also performs cystotomy (bladder stone removal or bladder repair), splenectomy (spleen removal), enterotomy (intestinal incision for foreign body removal), gastrotomy (stomach incision), and gastrostomy (feeding tube placement for nutritional support when a pet cannot eat normally). We also offer reproductive planning support including artificial insemination for breeding dogs. Each procedure is planned individually with a thorough pre-operative assessment.
Timing depends on your dog’s breed and size. Small breeds are typically spayed or neutered around six months of age. Large breeds benefit from waiting until nine to twelve months, and giant breeds until twelve to eighteen months. Early spay/neuter for large breeds may affect musculoskeletal development. Your veterinarian will give you a specific recommendation based on your dog’s breed, size, and health status at their pre-surgical exam.
Most elective surgeries require your pet to fast from midnight the night before. You will bring your pet to us in the morning, complete a brief check-in, and we will call you with an update when surgery is complete. Pre-operative bloodwork is recommended for most surgical patients. Recovery instructions are reviewed with you in detail at discharge, and we follow up after the procedure to check on your pet’s progress.
Modern anesthesia protocols are safe for most senior pets when pre-operative bloodwork confirms that organ function is adequate to metabolize the anesthetic agents. We tailor anesthesia protocols to each individual patient’s age, weight, and health status, and we monitor closely throughout every procedure. In some cases, we may recommend additional pre-operative assessments for older animals.
Recovery time varies depending on the procedure. Most soft tissue surgeries require two weeks of restricted activity and a follow-up appointment to assess healing. We provide written discharge instructions for every surgery, including wound care, activity restrictions, and signs to watch for. Most pets feel significantly more comfortable within the first few days after removal of a painful or diseased tissue.
Signs of GDV include a visibly distended or tight abdomen, unproductive retching or attempts to vomit without bringing anything up, excessive drooling, restlessness, and rapid deterioration. GDV is a life-threatening emergency. If your dog shows these signs, call us immediately at (604) 531-3394 or go directly to the nearest emergency facility if we are closed.
Book a pre-surgical consultation at Elgin Park Animal Hospital in South Surrey. Open Monday to Saturday from 9 AM to 9 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Call (604) 531-3394 or book online at elginparkvets.ca/make-an-appointment/.
