Pet Surgery Services

Our veterinary team performs a wide range of surgical procedures—from routine to complex—including spaying and neutering, orthopedic surgery (such as fracture repair or ligament repair), mass removals (benign and malignant), exploratory surgery for internal diagnostics, gastropexy, foreign-body removal, and more.

Spaying (for females) and neutering (for males) offer important health and behavioral benefits. Benefits include preventing unwanted litters, reducing risk of certain cancers (e.g., mammary or testicular), and sometimes alleviating undesirable behaviors. The timing depends on breed, size, age, and health status. During your pet’s wellness exam, our team will recommend the safest window and prepare both you and your pet for the procedure.

Orthopedic pet surgery services in St John, IN often address bone, joint, or ligament injuries (e.g., fractures, torn cruciate ligaments). We use modern surgical tools, careful anesthesia protocols, and detailed post-operative recovery plans. Expect an evaluation, imaging (X-rays or CT), anesthetic consultation, surgical repair, pain management, and rehabilitation instructions. Recovery varies by the procedure and the pet’s overall health.

If we identify a mass (a lump or growth), our surgical team evaluates size, location, growth rate, and whether further diagnostics (biopsy or imaging) are needed. During the surgery we remove the mass with margin where possible, submit the tissue for pathology, and plan follow-up based on results. If the mass is malignant, we’ll discuss next steps such as further surgery, oncologic therapy, or monitoring. Early removal often leads to better outcomes.

Exploratory pet surgery services in St John, IN are used when diagnostic imaging and lab work do not fully explain your pet’s clinical signs. When pets exhibit symptoms such as ongoing abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, persistent vomiting/diarrhea, or abnormal blood tests, our veterinarians may recommend surgery to directly examine internal organs, take biopsies, remove foreign objects, or evaluate the digestive or reproductive tract. This allows for faster diagnosis and treatment of complex internal issues.

Preparation includes a pre-surgery exam to confirm your pet’s health for anesthesia (blood work, possible ECG or imaging for older pets), fasting instructions (often no food after midnight, water removal a few hours before), review of medications, anesthesia plan, and post-op care explanation. At home you should create a quiet, comfortable recovery area, have follow-up care instructions ready, and plan to monitor your pet closely during recovery.

All surgeries come with risks: anesthesia reactions, bleeding, infection, delayed healing, complications from underlying disease, or incomplete removal of disease tissue. At Hanover Veterinary Hospital we minimize risks by using up-to-date anesthetic monitoring, sterile surgical suites, trained surgical staff, pain management protocols, and post-op monitoring. We also discuss risks and benefits with you in advance so you can make informed decisions about your pet’s care.

Recovery varies with the type of surgery and the pet’s age and health. For spays/neuters it may be 7–10 days of restricted activity, with incision monitoring and no jumping. For orthopedic or major internal surgery it may be 2–6 weeks or more of restricted activity, limited stairs or jumping, controlled physical activity/rehab, follow-up exams, and perhaps physical therapy. At home you’ll monitor appetite, incision appearance, mobility, pain signs, and follow all instructions given by our team.

Eligibility for pet surgery services in St John, IN depends on your pet’s overall health, age, underlying diseases (like heart or kidney disease), nutritional status, and the urgency of the issue. Our team will conduct a pre-surgery assessment to review risks and benefits, estimate costs, determine recovery expectations and ensure we’re aligned with your goals for your pet’s care. Always feel free to ask questions and request treatment options or alternatives.