Emergency Veterinary Surgery

in McKinney, Texas

Pet emergencies often happen after hours, and your trusted team at McKinney Emergency Veterinary Clinic is here to help. We are fully trained and equipped to provide life-saving emergency surgeries when needed using cutting-edge technology and techniques. You can always count on our team for outstanding, compassionate care!

What Should You Do in Case of an After-Hours Pet Emergency?

If your pet experiences an emergency after hours, please contact our office right away. We help you stabilize your companion animal before heading our way. Meanwhile, stay calm, and be cautious when handling an injured pet because animals often bite when frightened or in pain.

What Are the Most Common Emergency Pet Surgeries?

The following are the most common emergency surgical procedures we perform right here at our McKinney, TX office:

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat): Also known as GDV or bloat, gastric dilatation-volvulus is one of the most serious non-traumatic emergencies we treat. It usually affects deep-chested dogs, although any dog can develop this life-threatening condition. In the early stages, the stomach fills with air, causing gastric dilatation or bloat. If the gas-filled stomach rotates and twists upon itself, the bloat progresses into a volvulus which can cut off the stomach's vital blood supply. GDV symptoms include unproductive retching, pacing, agitation, a distended abdomen, and severe abdominal pain. Emergency surgery is required within minutes to a few hours to save the very sick pet's life.

Intestinal Obstruction: Pets sometimes end up with obstructions due to ingesting large objects they can't digest and can't pass through their intestines, such as your favorite socks, corn cobs, kids' toys, or wine corks. When that happens, food and liquid can't move around the obstructed area, potentially leading to compromised blood flow. Symptoms of a foreign body intestinal obstruction include persistent vomiting, decreased appetite, lethargy, and severe abdominal pain. Without emergency surgery, you risk your precious pet's intestines rupturing, leading to a life-threatening condition known as peritonitis.

Laceration and Wound Repair: One of the most common surgeries we perform is wounds and laceration repair. Injuries often result from accidents, such as being hit by a car or attacked by another animal. We'll ensure your pet is comfortable as we clean the area and suture any superficial wounds or lacerations. Deep wounds may require more extensive surgical procedures. In some cases, bite wounds can cause skin separation from the underlying tissues and the avulsion of the underlying muscles, while deep puncture wounds are highly prone to developing infections. Prompt treatment will give your pet the best chances for wound closure and healing.

Soft Tissue Surgery: Animals often develop lumps beneath the skin and sometimes
tumors internally. While not all these are malignant, we usually recommend having them
surgically removed, evaluated by your primary veterinarian. If they do develop complications after hours, we will make sure your pet is stable and if so, make sure they are comfortable until they are evaluated by your primary veterinarian. If they need immediate attention, our doctors will be ready to move forward to handle that as well.

Orthopedic Surgery: Orthopedic injuries, such as hip displacement, bone fractures, or knee injuries, can happen due to accidents or the natural aging process. We will stabilize your precious pet and evaluate the condition. If orthopedic surgery is required, we will refer you to a specialist to provide the needed care.