Common Veterinary Surgery & Procedure Terminology

The surgical removal of the entire spleen, most commonly performed for bleeding splenic masses, trauma, or splenic torsion.

The surgical removal of the eyeball and associated eyelid margins, usually performed for blind, persistently painful, or cancerous eyes.

A surgical incision into the urinary bladder, most frequently performed to remove bladder stones (uroliths) or biopsy bladder tumors.

A surgical procedure that permanently attaches the stomach to the abdominal body wall to prevent gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV / bloat).

The surgical removal of a female animal’s ovaries and uterus (ovariohysterectomy) or ovaries alone (ovariectomy) to prevent reproduction, heat cycles, and reproductive diseases.

The surgical removal of both testicles in a male animal to prevent reproduction, eliminate testicular tumors, and reduce androgen-driven behaviors.

A comprehensive medical procedure performed under general anesthesia to scale plaque and calculus above and below the gumline, polish tooth surfaces, and take dental radiographs.

The surgical excision of a cutaneous, subcutaneous, or internal tissue mass with appropriate surgical margins to diagnose and treat tumors or cysts.

A quick, minimally invasive diagnostic procedure using a fine needle to collect cells from a lump, organ, or fluid for microscopic cytology.