Surgery

Soft Tissue and Orthopedic Pet Surgery

Animal Medical Center of Jonesboro offers a wide range of basic surgical services, from spays and neuters to soft tissue and orthopedic procedures. During your pet’s procedure, their safety and comfort are our top priority. We are here to answer any questions regarding your pet’s specific surgery and even offer a pre-surgical consultation as an essential part of the process. Your veterinarian will also provide information on postoperative care to ensure your pet is recovers quickly.

Soft Tissue and Orthopedic Pet Surgery

Most pets will undergo surgery at least once in their lives. Typically, it is a spay or neuter surgery when they are young. However, some breeds are predisposed to conditions that we can only correct through surgery, such as hip dysplasia and CCL ruptures. These procedures fall under the category of orthopedic surgeries because they involve the bones and joints. Soft tissue procedures, on the other hand, involve anything that isn’t bone.

The soft tissue surgeries we perform include:

  • Mass removal
  • Spay and neuter
  • Ear hematoma
  • Eye and eyelid surgery
  • Cystotomy (bladder surgery)
  • Splenectomy (removal of the spleen)
  • Stenotic nares repair
  • Wound repair
  • And more

Dewclaw Removal, Declaws, Ear Cropping, and Tail Docking

These surgeries are optional for your pet. Dewclaws are the first toe on your dog found a few inches above their paw on the inside of the leg. Dewclaw removal surgery is typically done to puppies who have a future in hunting between 3 to 7 days of age. It prevents the toe from being torn on brush or snagging on carpet.

Declawing is for feline patients only and we typically perform this surgery on younger cats. In most cases, we remove only the front claws, but in some circumstances, it is best to remove the claws from all four paws. Common reasons for declawing include medical or behavioral reasons for the cat or an owner who has a bleeding disorder or another medical condition where being scratched could be dangerous.

Ear cropping and tail docking are both purely cosmetic and common to certain dog breeds such as Dobermans, Boxers, and Great Danes. Please keep in mind that while these are routine surgeries, it makes them no less serious, and your pet will receive the same anesthetic protocols, surgical monitoring, and recovery process as with any surgery.

Safety at Every Step


Safety is our main concern for each pet surgery, so we take time to minimize the risks so your pet has a smoother procedure and recovery. First, we perform a pre-anesthetic exam that includes blood work to ensure they’re healthy. Then we’ll administer an anesthetic protocol tailored to your pet’s needs and set up an IV catheter to supply them with warm fluids throughout the procedure. Additionally, a trained technician monitors their vitals including heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, respiratory rate, and more. Pain management is also a main focus. We supply appropriate medications before, during, and after surgery to minimize discomfort.

Learn more about pet surgery at AMC Jonesboro by giving us a call at (870) 935-8387 today.