Soft Tissue Surgery 

At North Richmond Vet Hospital, we offer a wide range of soft tissue surgeries to treat conditions affecting your pet’s internal organs, skin, and body systems. From foreign body removal and bladder stone surgery to lump removals and splenectomies, our experienced team performs each procedure with precision and care. 


Using modern surgical techniques and tailored aftercare, we ensure your pet receives safe, effective treatment and a smooth recovery.

Information Handouts

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Patient Cases

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What we can offer...

Gastrointestinal Foreign Body Obstruction

A gastrointestinal obstruction is a blockage that can occur anywhere along the digestive tract, most commonly in the small intestine.

It can be caused by swallowed items such as toys, bones, rocks, or clothing. In older pets, an obstruction may be due to cancer.

X-rays, ultrasound, and contrast studies (such as barium) help confirm the presence and location of a blockage. CT scans may also be used in more complex cases.

Surgery is the primary treatment. We remove the foreign body by making an incision into the stomach or intestine. In cases of tissue damage, we may need to remove a section of the bowel.

Splenectomy (Spleen Removal)

A splenectomy is the surgical removal of the spleen, often performed due to the presence of a mass which may cause internal bleeding. These masses can be benign or malignant.

 Diagnosis may include abdominal ultrasound, chest X-rays, CT scans, or biopsy prior to surgery to assess spread and risk.

 This surgery is often urgent. The spleen is removed through a large abdominal incision, and bleeding is controlled using advanced surgical tools. A blood transfusion may be required in some cases.

Lumpectomy (Lump Removal)

A lumpectomy is the surgical removal of a lump or growth. These may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), and your vet may recommend removal based on size, location, or changes in the lump’s appearance.  

Your vet may perform a fine needle aspirate (FNA) or recommend sending the removed mass for histopathology to determine its nature.

The mass is removed under general anaesthesia, with wide margins if malignancy is suspected. Pain relief and wound care are provided after surgery.

Bladder Stone Removal

Bladder stones are mineral formations in the bladder that can cause irritation, infection, and urinary issues. They may result from diet or genetic predisposition etc.

 Diagnosis includes a combination of abdominal palpation, radiographs, and ultrasound are used to confirm the presence of stones.

 Surgical removal is the most effective method and is commonly recommended. We can then send the extracted uroliths to the Minnesota Urolith Center in the USA for detailed analysis, helping us tailor prevention strategies and dietary management specific to your pet's needs.

Wound Repair & Reconstruction

Here at North Richmond Veterinary Hospital, we manage traumatic injuries, surgical wounds, and chronic non-healing lesions. 

We offer advanced treatment options including surgical debridement, skin flap reconstruction, tension-relieving techniques, and appropriate dressing and bandaging. Our team is skilled in managing both acute and complex cases, ensuring optimal healing, pain management, and cosmetic outcomes for your pet.

Aural Haematoma

An aural haematoma is a swelling in the ear flap caused by bleeding between the skin and cartilage, often from head shaking or scratching.
It’s commonly triggered by ear infections, mites, allergies, or foreign bodies irritating the ear.

Treatment aims to relieve the swelling, address any underlying causes, and prevent recurrence. The most effective treatment is surgical correction, which involves draining the accumulated blood and securing the skin back to the cartilage to prevent refilling. The underlying ear issue is treated at the same time.

Other Services

General Health & Preventative Medicine

We focus on proactive, preventative care, e.g.  tailored vaccination schedules, internal and external parasite control, routine health checks, dental care, and nutritional advice - in order to keep your pet healthy

Soft Tissue Surgery

We perform a wide range of soft tissue surgeries for cats, dogs, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, and ferrets etc.

These procedures include lump removals, wound repairs, desexing, bladder stone removal, and gastrointestinal surgery.

Orthopaedics

Our team is experienced in performing orthopaedic surgery in small animals, such as cruciate ligament repairs, fracture fixation, and joint stabilisation etc.

We aim to restore comfort and function so your pet can move with ease again.

Bradycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)

We diagnose and treat BOAS in both dogs and cats, particularly in flat-faced breeds like Pugs, French Bulldogs, and Persians.

Our surgical treatments aim to improve breathing by a combination of surgical techniques

Internal Medicine Services

Our team excells in diagnosing and managing complicated medical conditions that affect oragns like kidneys, liver, the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system etc.  Blood tests, imaging (x-ray or ultrasound), CT, endoscopy and flurscopy are available. 

Imaging Services

Our hospital is equipped with digital X-ray, ultrasound, CT scanning, and fluoroscopy, allowing us to examine internal structures in detail. These tools help us diagnose a wide range of conditions, from fractures and organ issues to gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders

Ophthalmology

We provide  ophthalmology services, including diagnosis and treatment of conditions e.g. cataracts, glaucoma, corneal ulcers, dry eye, and eyelid abnormalities.

Reproduction

We provide specialised reproductive services for dogs, including semen analysis, artificial insemination (AI), pregnancy diagnosis, and elective or emergency caesareans.

Reptiles
(Snakes, Lizards & Turtles)

With experience in reptile husbandry and medicine, our team can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, from nutritional and metabolic disorders to respiratory infections and injuries.

We also provide routine health checks, parasite control, and surgical services.

Small Mammals 
(Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Rats & Ferrets)

Small mammals like rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, and rats have unique health needs.

We offer tailored veterinary care including health checks, dental treatment, desexing, and surgery - delivered with the expertise and compassion these special pets deserve.

Birds

We offer care for pet birds, from budgies to parrots to chickens, including health checks, beak and nail trims, diagnostics, and treatment of common illnesses.

Our team understands the unique anatomy and needs of avian species.

Pain Management

Managing chronic pain e.g. osteoarthritis, IVDD, chronic ear infections, degenerative joint disease, and old injuries etc. is key to maintaining your pet’s comfort and quality of life.

Our goal is to reduce discomfort and keep your pet active and happy at every stage of life

Behavioral Medicine

From anxiety to aggression, behavioural issues can impact your pet’s wellbeing and your bond with them. We provide behavioural medicine services to help identify the root cause and create tailored treatment plans

Large Animals

While we currently offer limited services for large animals, we are actively working on expanding our capabilities in this area.

Our goal is to provide comprehensive care for small ruminants and other livestock in the near future.

Stay tuned as we grow our services to better support the needs of our wider animal community.

Emergency & After Hour Services

For our existing clients, we offer emergency after hour consultations and surgeries if needed.

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