Soft Tissue & Foreign Body Surgery

Surgical care extends well beyond bones and joints. Soft tissue surgery covers any procedure not related to bone, from removing a lump on your dog’s side to retrieving a sock from your cat’s intestines. When your pet needs surgery, you want a team that combines skill with careful safety protocols and clear communication.

Fish Creek Animal Hospital performs soft tissue and foreign body surgery for dogs and cats in Montgomery, TX. Our doctors perform many soft tissue surgeries in-house, using advanced anesthesia monitoring and strict sterility protocols in our familiar Montgomery facility. Explore all of our surgical services, including spaying, neutering, and orthopedic surgery. We perform these surgeries for dogs and cats from Montgomery, Conroe, and Willis.

Common Soft Tissue Procedures We Perform

Mass Removals

Mass removals are one of the most frequent soft tissue surgeries we perform. Lumps and bumps develop for many reasons, and removing them lets us examine the tissue to determine whether a growth is benign or needs further treatment. Smaller masses are easier to remove completely with clean margins, so early removal gives the best outcome.

Bladder Stone Removal (Cystotomy)

Bladder stones form when minerals crystallize in the urine, causing frequent urination, bloody urine, and straining. A cystotomy removes the stones and provides immediate relief. Analyzing the stone composition helps us prevent recurrence through dietary management.

Splenectomy and Other Abdominal Surgeries

A splenectomy removes the spleen, usually because of tumors or trauma causing internal bleeding. Splenic masses can rupture without warning, creating life-threatening blood loss. Many dogs live normal lives after spleen removal.

We also perform gastropexy to help prevent stomach torsion in at-risk large breed dogs, exploratory surgery to diagnose abdominal problems, and procedures addressing liver, kidney, or intestinal conditions.

Foreign Body Surgery for Swallowed Objects

Dogs and cats explore the world with their mouths, and sometimes they swallow things that become lodged in the digestive tract. Foreign body removal is an urgent procedure. The sooner we remove the obstruction, the better your pet’s prognosis and the less tissue damage occurs.

Common Foreign Bodies in Dogs and Cats

• Dogs: Toys, socks, bones, rocks, corn cobs, and pieces of fabric are frequent culprits. Small dogs are at particular risk because their narrower digestive tracts block more easily.
• Cats: Cats often swallow linear foreign bodies such as string, ribbon, dental floss, or tinsel. One end can anchor under the tongue or in the stomach while the rest moves through the intestines, where it can cut through the intestinal wall as the intestines contract.

Signs Your Pet May Have Swallowed Something

Contact us immediately if your pet shows:

• Repeated vomiting, especially if they can’t keep water down
• Loss of appetite, lethargy, or abdominal pain
• Drooling or pawing at the mouth
• Straining to defecate without producing stool
• Withdrawal or reluctance to move

Don’t wait to see if symptoms resolve. Learn more about our daytime emergency and urgent care.

How We Diagnose and Remove Foreign Bodies

We start by feeling your pet’s abdomen for masses, pain, or abnormal bunching of the intestines. Digital X-rays reveal objects like bones, rocks, and metal. Fabric and plastic may not show clearly, so we may use contrast studies or ultrasound. Blood work identifies dehydration or electrolyte imbalances before surgery.

If your pet is dehydrated from vomiting, we stabilize them with IV fluids, and we give antibiotics if we suspect intestinal damage. During surgery, we examine the entire length of the intestines, since there may be more than one object. We remove the object through a small incision in the intestinal wall. If tissue is damaged, we may remove that section and reconnect healthy bowel.

Pre-Surgical Evaluation and Planning

Every surgery starts with a physical exam and a review of your pet’s medical history. Pre-surgical blood work evaluates liver and kidney function, which affect how your pet processes anesthesia. X-rays or ultrasound help us plan our surgical approach, and for masses, we may recommend a fine needle aspirate beforehand to gather preliminary information about the growth.

Our Surgical Safety Protocols

Dedicated Anesthesia Monitoring

One technician focuses solely on anesthesia monitoring for the entire procedure. We track heart rate and rhythm with EKG, blood oxygen with pulse oximetry, blood pressure, and end-tidal CO2 to confirm proper ventilation. Every surgical patient also receives a pre-anesthetic EKG reviewed by a cardiologist, which helps us adjust our anesthetic protocol if needed, even in emergencies.

Sterility and Infection Prevention

We follow veterinary surgical standards for instrument sterilization, surgical site preparation, and aseptic technique. After surgery, we use antibiotics when indicated and show you how to care for the incision at home.

Multimodal Pain Management

We give pain medication before the first incision and continue it throughout recovery, combining different medication types for better comfort with fewer side effects. Pain medications go home with you, along with detailed instructions.

Recovery After Soft Tissue Surgery

Most soft tissue surgery patients stay with us for observation after their operation. Some go home the same day, while others need overnight hospitalization. After foreign body surgery, most pets stay one to three days so we can continue IV fluids and gradually reintroduce food.

At home, your pet will need to stay calm and avoid running, jumping, or rough play. Most soft tissue procedures require 10 to 14 days of restricted activity, and foreign body patients need at least two weeks of rest. Suture removal typically happens 10 to 14 days after surgery. Most pets return to normal eating and activity within two to three weeks after an uncomplicated foreign body removal.

When we remove a mass, we send the tissue to a pathologist. Results usually arrive within one week, and we call you to discuss the findings and any next steps.

Preventing Foreign Body Emergencies at Home

• Keep socks, small objects, and toys with removable parts out of reach.
• Choose toys that are too large to swallow, and discard damaged toys.
• Avoid giving cooked bones, which can splinter.
• For cats, store thread, dental floss, and ribbon in closed containers, and skip tinsel when decorating.

Why Choose Fish Creek Animal Hospital for Pet Surgery?

Founded by Dr. Kevin Wheeler in 2021, Fish Creek Animal Hospital is a privately owned practice located across from the Woodforest neighborhood at 618 Fish Creek Thoroughfare, Suite 400, in Montgomery. Dr. Wheeler’s professional interests include soft tissue surgery, and our doctors personally follow up on all lab work to keep you informed throughout your pet’s care.

Schedule a Surgical Consultation in Montgomery, TX

If your pet has a new lump, signs of bladder stones, or another condition that may need surgery, request an appointment to discuss your options. If you suspect your pet swallowed something, contact us right away.

Frequently Asked Questions