Veterinary Surgery

Surgical Procedures

At Bel Marin Animal Hospital, we perform medical and emergency veterinary surgeries to help treat conditions and disease in pets or to repair injuries sustained through trauma. 

Our vets in Novato routinely perform these elective and non-elective surgeries:

• Soft Tissue Surgery

  Soft tissue surgical procedures are for pets suffering from ear, nose and throat disorders. 

  These procedures are also available for gastrointestinal, skin, oncological, hepatic, cardiothoracic and urogenital disorders. 

• Spaying & Neutering

  When a cat or dog is spayed or neutered, they are surgically sterilized to prevent disease and give them an extended life expectancy. 

• Mass Removal

  Cats and dogs can develop masses associated with the skin. Masses can also grow inside a body cavity and can be serious or life-threatening.

  Mass removal surgery is a fairly common procedure for both cats and dogs.

• Foreign Body

  Sometimes, foreign objects are ingested or can get stuck inside a cat's or dog's body.

  Whether your pet has eaten an object they shouldn't have or an accident has left them injured, we can perform foreign body surgery to remove it.

  In some cases, specialized skills or equipment are needed to perform pet surgery. If that is the case for your animal, your vet will refer you to a cat or dog surgeon near Novato and work closely with your veterinary surgeon to ensure that your dog or cat receives the very best care.

• Wounds

  Wounds occur when living tissue has been cut, broken, burnt, torn, or otherwise damaged.

  It's imperative that these wounds be cleaned, disinfected, and appropriately cared for by a qualified veterinarian as soon as possible. 

• Orthopedic Surgery

  Diseases and injuries of the joints, ligaments, tendons, bones and other skeletal structures are treated with veterinary orthopedic surgeries. If your dog or cat is suffering from a condition or injury that requires advanced specialized care your vet will refer your dog or cat to a vet surgeon near Novato.

• Dental Surgery

  Our veterinarians provide dental surgeries for dogs and cats. These surgeries may range from tooth extractions to jaw fracture repairs and gum disease treatment. 

The Surgery Process

We understand that the prospect of booking your pet's surgical appointment can be daunting.

Please rest assured that we only recommend surgery when it is in your furry companion's best interests. 

We will ensure that you fully understand why we are recommending surgery, and that you are comfortable making the choice to move ahead. 

If your pet needs advanced care, our vers will refer you to a veterinary surgeon near Novato, and work closely with your vet surgeon to ensure that your pet receives the best possible care. 

Surgical protocols at our clinic include:

Pre-surgical assessments. We will confirm the specifics of the procedure, complete a physical examination of the patient, and make sure blood tests have been completed and reviewed by the vet in order to determine if your pet faces any risk of anesthesia-related complications.

Dedicated surgical suites. Surgeries are performed in a dedicated surgical suite. This room is kept completely sterile to prevent infection and cross-contamination.

Surgical attire. Our staff wear disposable caps and masks at all times when they are in the surgical suite. Those involved in the procedure itself will also wear sterile gowns and single-use gloves.

Sterile packs and equipment. We carefully clean, sterilize and wrap our surgical instruments and equipment prior to performing every surgery.