When your furry companion is entering their senior years, they may require particular care, specifically for veterinary surgeries. Due to a variety of reasons, senior dogs might require surgery by a veterinary surgeon. Treatment for pain, cognitive and behavioral issues, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping through the night are a few prevalent causes. For a successful operation, having your senior dog examined by a veterinarian who can gather a complete medical history and identify potential issues is vital.
Older dogs are more vulnerable to hypothermia, hindering the healing process after anesthesia and slowing down their metabolic rate. The most dramatic results require taking care to manage each anesthetic session in a different way and considering each dog’s individual needs.
Common Veterinary Surgery for Geriatric Dogs
Although it’s not easy to go through surgery, many common surgeries could significantly enhance your senior dog’s quality of life. Here are a few procedures you may want to consider to help your old pet:
Dental Surgery
Dental issues are common in older dogs, which can irritate, infect, and cause difficulty eating. A dental surgery by a dog dentist, like tooth extraction or cleaning, will significantly improve the health of your dog’s mouth and make meals more comfortable.
There are dangers involved in dental surgery on senior dogs, such as general anesthesia-related dangers like hypothermia, hypotension, and depression of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. However, these hazards can be mitigated in senior pets through complete pre-anesthetic checks, stabilizing coexisting medical conditions before anesthesia, and using safe anesthetic techniques.
Spay or Neuter Surgery
A senior dog spaying or neutering is usually safe and can be a part of geriatric veterinary care. The procedures can stop the development of pyometra and various tumors (uterine diseases). Prostatic diseases, uterine infections such as prostatic hypertrophy, and a wide range of behavior problems can be avoided by having a neuter. A neutered or spayed female will be less likely to wander off in search of male partners or to be a bit loud.
In addition, spaying or neutering may help to limit the pet population by eliminating unwanted litter. Notably, regular pain treatment may significantly extend a dog’s life suffering from osteoarthritis and other degenerative skeletal or muscular issues.
Mass Removal
As dogs age, they can form bumps or lumps that can be benign or cancerous. Suppose your veterinarian spots the presence of a mass in your dog’s body and recommends surgical removal. Removing a mass can not only increase your dog’s comfort and physical well-being, but it could also help stop the spread of cancer if the mass is malignant.
Joint Surgery
Arthritis affects joints in elderly dogs and can cause limitations in movement and pain. Knee or hip replacement surgery can dramatically enhance your dog’s quality of life by alleviating pain and improving mobility. If your dog has difficulty getting up, climbing stairs, or going for walks, joint replacement surgery may be the solution.
Orthopedic Surgery
A surgical procedure called pet orthopedic surgery helps to treat wounds and restore your pet’s limbs to their original health. Correction of your pet’s bones, joints, or ligaments can be required. Nylon, bone plate pins, screws, casts, or prosthetic joints could be used during the surgery. Orthopedic surgery is available for pets at veterinary clinics and hospitals. Every effort is taken to ensure your pet’s safety and comfort throughout the process; visit a vet website to see more details.
Abdominal Surgery
Geriatric dogs may develop various issues in their abdomens, including intestinal obstructions, tumors, or bladder stones. Surgery on the abdomen can eliminate these obstructions and improve your dog’s overall health. General anesthesia, bleeding, postoperative infection, urinary or intestinal leakage from the bladder, and wound breakdown over the incision are the primary risks of abdominal surgery. But, when appropriately administered, the elderly pets are not significantly impacted by the chance of experiencing anesthesia. One advantage of abdominal surgery is the ability to identify and eliminate obstructions, tumors, or other conditions that could be causing the dog suffering or agony.
Eye Surgery
Senior dogs may require eye surgery for specific disorders, like cataracts or Ectropion. Eye surgery can help correct these issues and help improve your dog’s eyesight. Surgery is a good option when your dog constantly hits objects, squints, or shows discomfort.
