Dog Surgery

Surgery isn’t anyone’s idea of fun—but being a conscientious pet parent means doing the right thing for your dog. If surgery has been recommended for your pup, it’s understandable that you might have concerns, hesitations and questions. Though putting your dog through surgery may feel stressful, Petco’s veterinarians are dedicated to providing the best care available—not just for dogs but their pet parents, too. With Vetco Total Care, you receive attentive, consistent veterinary services from qualified professionals who are committed to your pup’s well-being and ready to answer any questions you may have about dog surgery. It’s just one of the ways we help make surgery less scary for dogs in need—and their devoted pet parents.

Why would my dog need surgery?  

There are many situations in which dog surgery may be beneficial or even lifesaving. Canine surgery typically falls under two general categories:

Elective surgery

Some surgeries, such as spaying and neutering, are technically elective, but they are highly recommended for your dog’s well-being. Some surgeries that improve your dog’s mobility or reduce pain may also be considered elective.

Emergency or time-sensitive surgery

If your dog swallows something they shouldn’t, like a plastic cap or the shard of a rawhide bone, they will likely require emergency surgery to remove the foreign object before it causes serious harm or death. Other interventions, such as your dog ACL’s surgery, are also time-sensitive and should be done as quickly as possible to reduce the chance of further injury.

Your Vetco veterinarian can help you decide whether surgery is the right choice to help improve your dog’s quality of life.

What is the most common dog surgery?  

The most common dog surgeries are spaying and neutering—and that’s a good thing. These simple procedures don’t just prevent your dog from having puppies—they can impede behavioral and health issues. The benefits include:

• Prevention of unplanned litters At any given time, many dogs and puppies are waiting to find loving homes. Spaying and neutering help ensure that your dog won’t create a new litter of puppies and contribute to the large number of pets who don’t yet have homes.


• Potential health benefits Spaying can help prevent some cancers and infections if your dog is female. Even male dogs are less susceptible to some diseases—specifically, testicular issues—once they’ve been neutered. While Vetco Total Care is a great resource for a whole host of dog health problems, it’s a good idea to have your dog spayed or neutered to prevent the need for additional veterinary interventions further down the line.


• Behavioral improvements Pets who have been spayed or neutered are less likely to wander from home, as the drive to search for a mate is lessened. Female dogs who have been spayed don’t go into heat, and male dogs who have been neutered are less likely to exhibit dominant tendencies or destructive behaviors.

For all these reasons, spaying and neutering are common, crucial, and highly recommended dog surgeries. Find out why we advise pet parents to learn more about spay and neuter surgeries, along with answers to some of your questions about these procedures.

What surgeries do our hospitals offer?  

Vetco Total Care hospitals are dedicated to your dog’s wellness and include a wide range of surgical procedures.

Spaying and neutering

These are some of the most common dog surgery services performed by our veterinarians. A simple spay or neuter procedure can have long-lasting positive benefits for your dog’s health, behavior, and overall quality of life.

Oral health

Aside from spaying and neutering, dental surgeries are the most common procedures performed at Vetco facilities. Regular dental examination and cleaning services are recommended for all dogs. Some pups may require teeth pulled or other oral surgeries.

Orthopedics

Dogs love to romp and play, but all that energy can sometimes cause or exacerbate orthopedic injuries that affect the bones and joints. Your dog’s orthopedic surgeon can repair torn ligaments and tendons, perform joint replacement surgery or complete other orthopedic procedures.

Emergency surgery

If your dog has a medical emergency—from swallowing poison to breaking a leg to sustaining a deep cut—our veterinarians are on hand to give your dog immediate surgical care. In many cases, emergency surgery can save your pet’s life.

Elective procedures

Beyond spaying and neutering, there are other elective procedures you may choose for your dog that can improve their quality of life.  

Are you ready to meet an attentive veterinary team that cares about your dog’s wellness? Book an appointment through Petco today.

Safety protocols for surgery

We know that your dog’s surgery can be scary, and we want to be a resource you can trust with the care of your best friend—that’s why safety is a top priority within Vetco Total Care. Safety protocols and procedures are incorporated into our daily practice. Some of our standards and practices for executing a safe diagnostic workflow include state-of-the-art surgical and treatment rooms, equipment and highly trained technical staff and clinicians. Our veterinary teams are trained in CPR, triage and emergency stabilization and conduct regular continuing education and debriefing procedures. Surgical safety protocols include the following: 

• Multi-partner assignment for each surgical case
• Venous access
• Blood pressure monitoring and ECG
• Capnography
• Pulse oximetry capabilities
• State-of-the-art thermoregulation and fluid therapy machinery

In addition, emergency drug protocols are tailored for each patient. You can feel good about scheduling your dog’s surgery with well-trained and highly resourced veterinary professionals like the ones you’ll meet at Petco.

Do we use veterinary technicians?

Yes. Vetco Total Care is proud to employ credentialed technicians to assist our veterinarians with the most attentive possible care of your pup. We also partner with accredited programs to create career paths in the veterinary technology field for our partners. We believe that vet technicians perform an important service for the hospitals they serve and the pups who are under their care, and we are happy to support these irreplaceable pet-loving professionals.  

What to expect if your pet needs surgery

If your pup needs surgery, you can expect your veterinary team to connect with you before the procedure to create a dog surgery plan. You’ll learn important aspects of the surgery, including whether your dog can eat or drink the morning before. You may wish to ask your vet how best to reduce stress for your dog beforehand. This consultation is also a good time to discuss your dog’s surgery recovery period with your veterinarian. Ask how you can make your pet feel comfortable at home and find out whether there are special instructions for what your dog can eat or drink. You may also want to inquire about what types of physical activity your pup should avoid.

Many pets recover from surgery uneventfully. However, it’s normal for there to be some changes in your dog’s mood or behavior while they do so. It’s a good idea to consult your veterinary team to discuss your pet’s condition after their dog surgery and make sure you know where to take them if they start to behave in unexpected ways. Expect your pup to be more tired than usual following surgery. Be sure you’ve been updated on signs of pain to watch out for, including reclusiveness, immobility, panting, whimpering or other vocalizations and sensitivity at the surgical site.

Unexpected canine surgery can be stressful—and expensive. If you want to make sure you’re prepared for anything, check out Petco’s flexible and affordable Pet Insurance plans.