Veterinary Surgical Services in Newfoundland

Our veterinary team can assess your pet, provide pain relief and stabilization, perform appropriate surgical procedures, and coordinate transfer if a higher level of care or overnight hospitalization is required.

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When your pet is injured, in pain, or experiencing a condition that may require surgery, prompt veterinary assessment is important. Galaxy Vets Urgent Care & Walk-in: Newfoundland provides urgent surgical care for dogs and cats in St. John’s.

When Might Your Pet Need Urgent Surgery?

Seek urgent veterinary care if your dog or cat has:

• A deep cut, puncture wound, or torn skin
• A bite wound or injury from another animal
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• A painful or swollen abdomen
• Repeated vomiting or retching
• Swallowed a toy, bone, fabric, or another foreign object
• Difficulty passing urine
• Injuries following a fall, collision, or other trauma
• Sudden severe pain, weakness, or collapse
• Difficulty giving birth
• A mass that is bleeding, damaged, or causing discomfort

Some surgical conditions are not immediately visible. A veterinarian may recommend bloodwork, X-rays, ultrasound, or other diagnostic tests to determine whether surgery is necessary.

Emergency and Urgent Surgical Assessment

When your pet arrives, our veterinary team will assess their condition and determine how quickly treatment is needed. The initial evaluation may include:

• A physical examination
• Pain assessment and pain relief
• Stabilization and supportive care
• Bloodwork or other laboratory testing
• Diagnostic imaging
• An evaluation of anesthetic and surgical risks

If surgery is recommended, the veterinarian will explain the findings, available treatment options, potential risks, expected costs, and anticipated recovery.

Wound and Bite Repair

Cuts, punctures, bites, and other traumatic wounds may look minor on the surface but extend into deeper tissue. Bite wounds can also introduce bacteria beneath the skin, increasing the risk of infection.

Treatment will depend on the location, depth, age, and severity of the wound. Some contaminated wounds may need to remain partially open rather than being closed immediately. The veterinarian will recommend the safest approach for your pet.

Urgent Surgical Procedures for Dogs and Cats

Depending on your pet’s condition, diagnostic findings, and stability, surgical care may include:

Foreign Body Removal

Dogs and cats sometimes swallow toys, fabric, bones, string, or other objects that become lodged in the stomach or intestines. An obstruction may cause vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, lethargy, or difficulty passing stool.

A gastrointestinal foreign body can become life-threatening and may require urgent surgery.

Bladder Stone Removal

Bladder stones can cause painful urination, blood in the urine, frequent attempts to urinate, or urinary blockage. When medically appropriate, a cystotomy may be performed to remove stones from the bladder.

A pet straining to urinate while producing little or no urine requires immediate veterinary attention.

Trauma and Dog-Bite Repair

Injuries caused by dog attacks, falls, collisions, or other accidents may damage the skin, muscles, internal organs, or other tissues. Treatment may involve wound repair, pain management, diagnostic testing, surgery, or transfer for more intensive care.

Emergency C-Sections

A dog or cat experiencing difficulty giving birth may require an emergency Cesarean section. Warning signs can include prolonged straining without delivering a puppy or kitten, unusual discharge, extreme weakness, or a long delay between births.

Contact a veterinary team immediately if you are concerned about labour or delivery.

Soft-Tissue Surgery

Soft-tissue surgery may be recommended for certain injuries, abdominal conditions, wounds, masses, or other urgent medical concerns. The veterinarian will determine whether the procedure can be performed at our clinic or requires referral.

Mass or Tumour Removal

A mass may require surgical removal if it is bleeding, ulcerated, painful, interfering with normal function, or causing another immediate concern. Further laboratory testing may be recommended to determine the nature of the tissue.

Skilled Veterinary Surgical Care with Compassion

We know that hearing your pet needs surgery, especially unexpectedly, can be overwhelming. That’s why our team provides not only advanced surgical expertise but also clear communication and compassionate support throughout the entire process.

We guide you through:

• Your pet’s diagnosis
• Surgical recommendations
• Expected outcomes and risks
• Post-operative care instructions

You’ll never be left with unanswered questions. We’re here to support both you and your pet every step of the way.