SURGICAL SERVICES

Desexing (spay and neutering) is a procedure where your vet surgically removes your pet’s reproductive organs. For male dogs and cats this involves removal of the testicles. For female pets this involves removal of the ovaries and uterus. This procedure prevents unwanted litters and will reduce the risk of certain health and behavioural issues, like infections and spraying or marking territory. For females, desexing requires an abdominal incision. For males, the incision is made in the skin near the scrotum.

There are several ways to perform a biopsy. The quickest way is an FNA biopsy, a fine needle aspirate. This involves a needle being inserted and a few cells being aspirated from the lesions. These cells are transferred onto a slide to be stained and examined under the microscope. In some cases, this can be performed in the clinic, but your vet may recommend sending the samples to an external lab for reviewing by a pathologist.

Other types of biopsies involve punch- or wedge resections. For this procedure your pet will require sedation and a local- or full anaesthetic, depending on the location of the lesion. A small part of the lump or lesion will be cut and preserved, prior to sending to an external lab for histopathology. With the structure of the lesion intact, the results of excisional biopsies are generally more reliable than an FNA.  

Cytology and histopathology is highly recommended for suspected cancers and certain skin conditions, as it will help your vet create a better treatment plan for your pet.