Gastrointestinal Surgery

There are few things more distressing for a pet owner than watching a beloved companion struggle with digestive issues. Whether it’s chronic vomiting, a sudden refusal to eat, or signs of severe abdominal pain, these symptoms can turn a normal day into a time of panic and uncertainty. While some tummy troubles resolve with a bland diet and rest, others point to serious internal conditions that require immediate medical intervention.

At Adobe Veterinary Clinic, we understand that the phrase “your pet needs surgery” can be frightening. However, gastrointestinal surgery is often a life-saving procedure that restores your pet’s health and happiness. It allows us to repair damage, remove obstructions, and diagnose complex illnesses that blood work and X-rays simply cannot see.

Our veterinary team in Mesa, Arizona, is dedicated to guiding you through this process with clarity and compassion. We combine advanced surgical techniques with rigorous safety protocols to ensure the best possible outcome for your dog or cat. From emergency procedures to planned diagnostic surgeries, we are here to help your furry family member get back to their playful self.

Why Choose Adobe Veterinary Clinic for Gastrointestinal Surgery

When your pet requires abdominal surgery, you want to know they are in capable hands. Choosing the right veterinary team is about more than just finding a clinic; it’s about finding partners in your pet’s healthcare journey who prioritize safety, comfort, and communication.

Advanced Surgical Protocols

We utilize modern anesthetic monitoring and surgical equipment to handle complex abdominal procedures. Every surgery is approached with a rigorous safety checklist. Our team monitors vital signs; including heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels continuously from the moment anesthesia begins until your pet is fully awake. This attention to detail minimizes risks and ensures we can respond instantly to any changes in your pet’s condition.

Comprehensive Pain Management

We believe that healing begins with comfort. A pet in pain is a pet that heals slower. Our pain management protocols are multimodal, meaning we use a combination of medications and techniques to control pain before, during, and after surgery. This approach reduces stress on the body and helps your companion recover faster and more comfortably once they return home.

Clear Communication

We know that medical jargon can be confusing, especially when you are worried. Our team takes the time to explain the procedure, why it is necessary, and exactly what the recovery process will look like. You will never feel left in the dark regarding your pet’s treatment plan or post-operative care instructions.

Conditions We Diagnose and Treat with Gastrointestinal Surgery

Gastrointestinal (GI) surgery, often referred to as an abdominal exploratory is a broad term. It covers procedures involving the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, and other internal organs. We use surgery not only to fix known problems but also to discover the root cause of chronic illness.

Here is a closer look at what we can discover and treat through GI surgery.

Intestinal Foreign Body Obstruction

This is one of the most common reasons for emergency GI surgery. Dogs and cats are curious creatures who often explore the world with their mouths. Unfortunately, this leads to the ingestion of objects that cannot pass through the digestive tract naturally. Common culprits include socks, underwear, toys, bones, and even rocks.

When an object gets stuck, it blocks the flow of intestinal contents and can damage the tissue, potentially leading to perforation (a hole in the intestine) and dangerous leakage into the abdomen. Surgery allows us to locate the blockage, remove the object, and repair or remove any damaged sections of the intestine to restore normal function.

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV or Bloat)

GDV is a critical, life-threatening emergency, most often seen in large, deep-chested dogs. It occurs when the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself. This twisting traps the gas and cuts off blood supply to the stomach and sometimes the spleen.

Without immediate surgical intervention, GDV is fatal. During surgery, we untwist the stomach to restore blood flow and assess tissue health. We also perform a gastropexy, a procedure where the stomach is surgically tacked to the abdominal wall to prevent it from twisting again in the future.

Intestinal and Abdominal Tumors

As pets age, they may develop masses on their internal organs. These can grow on the intestines, stomach, liver, or spleen. Often, these tumors cause vague symptoms like weight loss or lethargy until they become large enough to be felt or seen on an ultrasound.

Surgery allows us to remove these tumors, which can immediately relieve symptoms. In cases involving the spleen, such as a splenic tumor or hematoma, we often perform a splenectomy (removal of the spleen). Dogs can live happy, normal lives without a spleen, and removing a bleeding or cancerous splenic mass can be a life-saving measure.

Diagnostic Biopsies

Sometimes, a pet suffers from chronic digestive issues like recurring diarrhea or vomiting that do not have an obvious cause on X-rays or blood tests. In these cases, we may recommend surgery to collect full-thickness biopsies.

By taking small samples of the stomach, intestine, and lymph nodes, we can send tissue to a pathologist for analysis. This is the gold standard for diagnosing conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or certain types of intestinal cancer (lymphoma). A definitive diagnosis allows us to create a precise medical treatment plan to manage your pet’s condition long-term.

Bladder Stones (Uroliths)

While technically part of the urinary system, bladder stone removal (cystotomy) is a common abdominal surgery. Stones can form due to diet, genetics, or infection, causing pain and bloody urine. If they move into the urethra, they can cause a urinary obstruction, which is a medical emergency. Surgery allows us to open the bladder, remove the stones, and flush the urinary tract to ensure urine can flow freely again.

Hepatic and Biliary Disorders

The liver and gallbladder play vital roles in digestion. Conditions like a mucocele (where the gallbladder fills with mucus and risks rupturing) or liver lobe tumors require skilled surgical intervention. Removing a diseased gallbladder or a section of the liver can resolve severe illness and prevent systemic infection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a pet to recover from GI surgery?

Recovery time varies depending on the complexity of the procedure and the overall health of the pet. For soft tissue surgeries like a foreign body removal or mass removal, the skin incision typically heals within 10 to 14 days. However, your pet will need to be kept quiet and restricted from running or jumping during this time to prevent the internal sutures from tearing. Most pets start feeling better within a few days, but strict rest is crucial for the full two weeks.

Is abdominal surgery safe for older pets?

Age is not a disease, but it is a factor we consider carefully. Before any surgery, we perform comprehensive pre-anesthetic blood work to assess kidney and liver function. This helps us tailor the anesthesia protocol to your senior pet’s specific needs. While there is always a risk with anesthesia, the risk of leaving a serious condition like a tumor or obstruction untreated is often much higher. We will discuss the specific risk-benefit ratio for your senior pet during the consultation.

What are the signs that my pet might need gastrointestinal surgery?

Symptoms can vary, but common red flags include:

• Vomiting that is persistent or contains blood.
• Unproductive retching (trying to vomit but nothing comes out)—this is a classic sign of Bloat.
• Severe lethargy or weakness.
• A painful, distended (swollen) abdomen.
• Inability to pass stool or straining to defecate.
• Loss of appetite lasting more than 24 hours.

If you notice these signs, please contact us immediately. Early detection often leads to simpler surgeries and faster recoveries.

Restore Your Pet’s Comfort and Health

Digestive issues can range from minor annoyances to major emergencies, and knowing the difference isn’t always easy. At Adobe Veterinary Clinic, we are here to provide the expertise and diagnostic capabilities you need to make the right choice for your pet. Whether you need a consultation for chronic stomach issues or immediate assistance for an acute problem, our team is ready to help.

Do not wait for symptoms to worsen. If you suspect your pet is suffering from an abdominal condition, reach out to us today. Together, we can get your companion back on the road to health.