Surgery

When surgery is needed — and when it is not

Surgery is considered when a problem cannot be resolved with medication or managed safely by waiting. The most common reasons are routine neutering, the removal of lumps and masses, wound repair, abscess treatment, dental extractions and certain emergency conditions such as a swallowed object or an infected uterus.

We will always tell you honestly whether an operation is necessary, what the risks are and what the alternatives might be. You will never be rushed into surgery you do not understand. If a procedure is beyond what we can safely offer in-house, we will say so and help you arrange a referral rather than attempting something outside our capabilities.

Procedures we perform

• Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) for female dogs and cats
• Neutering (castration) for male dogs and cats
• Soft tissue surgery, including lump and mass removal
• Wound management and abscess treatment
• Dental extractions under anaesthesia
• Selected emergency procedures following assessment
• Other procedures discussed and agreed case by case

How surgery works at Mecco

How we keep your pet comfortable and safe

Anaesthesia is the part of surgery that worries owners most, and rightly so. We reduce risk by examining first, testing where needed, fasting your pet as instructed, keeping them warm, and monitoring continuously rather than checking occasionally. A trained team member is with your pet from induction to recovery.

We also take pain seriously. Animals cannot tell us when they are hurting, so we dose pain relief pre-emptively and tailor it to the procedure rather than waiting for signs of discomfort.

Aftercare, follow-up and an honest note on limits

At home, most patients need rest, a clean and dry wound, a cone or body suit if they will not leave stitches alone, and medication exactly as prescribed. Keep the wound away from licking, bathing and dust for the period we advise, and check it daily for swelling, discharge or a bad smell.

Contact us if you see excessive bleeding, persistent vomiting, refusal to eat for more than a day, or a wound that looks worse rather than better. We would far rather answer a worried phone call than treat a problem that was allowed to grow.

Not every condition can be treated at Mecco. Complex orthopaedic, spinal, heart or cancer surgery may need a specialist centre, and we will refer you promptly and explain why. Being honest about what we cannot do is part of doing what we can do well.