Surgical Services

Surgery can be a daunting prospect for any pet owner — but at Whisker & Woof, we make it our mission to ensure that every procedure is as safe, comfortable, and stress-free as possible for both you and your pet. Whether it’s a routine, planned procedure or something more urgent, we know it’s a stressful time for owners too, and we try to make sure you always know exactly what’s happening and why.

Surgical Services

Surgery can be a daunting prospect for any pet owner — but at Whisker & Woof, we make it our mission to ensure that every procedure is as safe, comfortable, and stress-free as possible for both you and your pet.

A Wide Range of Procedures

Our skilled veterinary team is experienced in performing a comprehensive range of surgeries, from the simplest procedures to complex life-saving operations. These include:

  • Routine & Preventive Procedures
    • Neutering (spay and castration) for dogs, cats, and small mammals
    • Lump and wart removals
    • Wound repair for traumatic injuries
  • Soft Tissue Surgery
    • Hernia repairs (umbilical, diaphragmatic, perineal)
    • Abdominal surgeries (foreign body removal, exploratory laparotomy)
    • Bladder stone removal (cystotomy)
    • Removal of anal sac tumours and other soft tissue masses
    • Gastropexy (stomach tacking) for breeds prone to GDV (bloat)
  • Oncologic (Cancer) Surgery
    • Excision of tumours with appropriate margins
    • Reconstructive techniques including skin flaps and grafts
    • Sentinel lymph node removal where indicated
  • Emergency & Life-Saving Procedures
    • Pyometra surgery (infected uterus removal)
    • Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) surgery
    • Splenectomy for splenic torsion or ruptured masses
    • Emergency wound reconstruction following accidents
  • Ophthalmic Surgery
    • Cherry eye correction
    • Eyelid mass removal
    • Entropion/ectropion correction
    • Enucleation (eye removal) when necessary for comfort

By offering such a broad spectrum of procedures, we ensure your pet can receive the majority of their surgical care in a familiar environment, with a team they know and trust — rather than being referred elsewhere for anything beyond the most routine operations.

Dedicated Surgical Facilities

Our practice features a fully equipped, purpose-built operating theatre designed to maintain the highest standards of sterility and patient safety. We use:

  • Surgical gowns, hats, masks, and sterile gloves
  • Modern anaesthetic equipment with advanced monitoring
  • High-quality lighting and instruments for precision and efficiency

Strict sterile protocols are followed for every procedure, regardless of how routine it is, because consistency is what keeps infection risk low across the board.

Advanced Surgical Techniques & Technology

We are committed to offering the highest standard of modern veterinary surgery. Our surgical suite is equipped with:

  • Electrocautery – to minimise bleeding and improve surgical precision
  • Surgical suction – to keep the surgical field clear and maintain visibility
  • High-intensity surgical lighting – for accuracy, even in delicate procedures
  • A wide range of suture materials – selected to suit each individual case and promote optimal healing
  • Intravenous fluid pumps – for accurate delivery of fluids during anaesthesia
  • Advanced patient warming systems – to maintain safe body temperature throughout surgery

These investments mean safer procedures, shorter anaesthetic times, and better outcomes for your pet. Maintaining a stable body temperature in particular is something that’s easy to overlook but genuinely affects recovery speed and anaesthetic safety, which is why it’s built into every procedure rather than reserved for longer operations.

Orthopaedic Surgery

For pets with bone, joint, or ligament injuries, we are proud to offer specialist orthopaedic surgery right here at Whisker & Woof.
Our orthopaedic procedures are performed by Dr. Christoph Stork, a highly experienced peripatetic surgeon who works with leading practices across the region.

Dr. Stork is available to perform a wide range of orthopaedic procedures, including:

  • Cruciate ligament failure stabilisation (TPLO, extracapsular techniques)
  • Fracture repair – using both internal fixation (plates, screws, interlocking nails, pins) and external fixation
  • Patella luxation surgery – including partial knee replacement
  • Joint surgeries – including arthroscopy, arthrotomy, arthrodesis, and complex reconstructions

Having Dr. Stork operate at our practice means your pet benefits from:

  • Specialist-level surgery without needing to travel to a referral centre
  • Continuity of care with our team before and after surgery
  • The same high standards of anaesthesia, monitoring, and pain relief we provide for all our patients

Anaesthesia and Safety

Your pet’s safety is our priority. Before any anaesthetic, we perform a thorough clinical examination and may recommend pre-anaesthetic blood tests to assess organ function. During surgery:

  • A registered veterinary nurse monitors your pet’s heart rate, breathing, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, and blood pressure continuously
  • We use advanced monitoring equipment to keep your pet safe at every stage
  • Intravenous fluids are provided when needed to maintain hydration and blood pressure

Anaesthetic protocols are also tailored individually — factoring in your pet’s age, breed, and any existing health conditions — rather than using a single standard approach for every patient.

Pain Management and Recovery

Effective pain relief is essential for a smooth, stress-free recovery. We use multimodal analgesia, combining different types of pain relief to keep your pet comfortable before, during, and after surgery.

  • Even for routine procedures like neutering, we go above and beyond to ensure your pet’s comfort
  • Pain relief continues at home with carefully prescribed medication and clear aftercare instructions
  • We schedule post-operative check-ups to monitor healing and answer any questions

Compassionate Care

We understand how worrying surgery can be, and we take the time to discuss:

  • Why surgery is recommended
  • What the procedure involves
  • Any potential risks
  • What to expect during recovery

Our aim is to reassure you and involve you in every step of the decision-making process.

What to Expect on the Day

For most planned procedures, your pet will be admitted in the morning following pre-operative fasting instructions we’ll give you in advance. After a pre-anaesthetic check, your pet is prepared for theatre, and one of our nursing team will call you with an update once the procedure is complete. Most routine surgeries are day cases, meaning your pet goes home the same day once they’re comfortably awake and recovering well, with clear written aftercare instructions and a follow-up appointment booked before you leave. For more complex or emergency procedures, we’ll talk you through what recovery and any hospitalisation is likely to look like on a case-by-case basis.

Book a Surgical Consultation

If your pet requires surgery — whether planned or urgent — we are here to help.
? Call us today or book online to discuss your pet’s needs and arrange a surgical consultation with our experienced veterinary team.

Frequently Asked Questions