Category Surgery

Spay Tattoos Are In The News

Tattoos have been in the news at MyPetsDoctor.com lately. A reader wrote in to complain that the doctor she took her female dog to for ovariohysterectomy surgery didn’t offer her the option to decline a tattoo indicating her dog had…

Uroretrohydropropulsion In Dogs

Uroretrohydropropulsion. Now, that’s a mouthful, even for someone who works with medical terms every day. Let’s break it down. “Uro” refers to the urinary tract. “Retro” refers to something going backward. “Hydro” means water or another liquid will be used…

Tattoo Saves Cat From Surgery

Sweet little Spooky was saved from cryptorchidism surgery by this green tattoo. Spooky showed up at a client’s home a few weeks ago. They have two cats already, and no room indoors for him to be a pet, but they didn’t want…

Cryptorchidism In Dogs And Cats

Cryptorchidism occurs when testicles fail to enter the scrotum and instead are retained in the abdomen. Equivalent terms are “retained testicle(s)” and “undescended testicle(s).” Crypto, from the Greek kryptos, means “hidden.” The Greek word orkhis means “testicle.” In mammalian embryos (people,…

Elliptical Or Fusiform Excision

“Doctor, I’m concerned. My pet had surgery today to remove a mass under the skin one inch in diameter, but his surgical incision is six inches long. Why is that?” The surgical technique for removing masses such as the one…

What Kind Of Tumor Is It?

“What kind of tumor is it, Doctor?” This common question is difficult, often even impossible, to answer prior to testing. A “pre-test” administered by our pathology professor, Dr. Groth proved that merely looking at mass on a patient will rarely…

How Much Will That Cost?

Mandy from California writes with a question: “I believe my cat has a Cuterebra. Do you know how much the veterinarian will charge to have it removed?”It’s a common and reasonable question. Alas, it is a question without an answer.…

Spayed? Or Not?

Missy writes with an interesting question:  I adopted an older cat who the previous owner told me is fixed, but she doesn’t have the tattoo. Is there anyway to ensure she is fixed and get the tattoo for her? To…