Pet Soft Tissue Surgery in Oakland, TN

Soft tissue surgery covers a broad range of procedures—from removing a small lump to repairing an internal organ. At Main Street Animal Clinic, our veterinarians perform many of these procedures in-house, which means your pet can receive the surgical care they need without a referral to a specialty hospital in most cases. We take time before any procedure to walk you through what’s involved, what to expect during recovery, and how we keep your pet comfortable throughout.

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What Is Soft Tissue Surgery?

Soft tissue surgery refers to any procedure involving structures other than bone—skin, muscle, organs, and internal systems. It’s one of the broadest categories in veterinary medicine and covers everything from routine mass removals to more involved abdominal procedures.

For bone and joint conditions, see our Pet Orthopedic Surgery page.

Soft Tissue Procedures We Perform

Mass and tumor removal
Lumps, bumps, and skin masses are among the most common reasons pets need surgery. Some masses are benign and grow slowly; others can become problematic if left untreated. We recommend having any new or changing mass evaluated promptly. Depending on size, location, and type, removal may be straightforward or may require a more involved approach.

Wound repair and laceration closure
Injuries that are too deep or complex to heal on their own often require surgical repair. We assess wounds carefully before deciding on the best closure method and provide appropriate pain management and aftercare instructions.

Hernia repair
Hernias occur when tissue or organs protrude through an abnormal opening in the body wall. Some are present at birth; others develop after injury or surgery. We repair hernias to prevent complications and restore normal anatomy.

Abdominal surgery
We perform a range of abdominal procedures, including bladder surgery (such as cystotomy for bladder stones), intestinal procedures, and exploratory surgery when the cause of a pet’s symptoms isn’t clear from diagnostics alone. Pet X-rays and ultrasound are typically used to guide surgical planning before we proceed.

Foreign body removal
Pets—especially dogs—sometimes swallow objects that can’t pass safely through the digestive tract. When imaging confirms a foreign body is causing or likely to cause an obstruction, surgical removal may be necessary. Time is a factor in these cases; if you suspect your pet has swallowed something, call us right away.

Eyelid and eye procedures
Conditions like entropion (eyelids that roll inward), third eyelid repair, cherry eye correction, Grid Keratectomies and certain eyelid masses can cause significant discomfort and may damage the eye surface if untreated. We perform corrective procedures to address these conditions and protect your pet’s vision.

Aural hematoma repair
Aural hematomas—fluid-filled swellings of the ear flap—are common in dogs with ear infections or allergies that lead to head shaking. Surgical drainage and repair can resolve the hematoma and help prevent recurrence.

We also perform bladder stone removal, c-sections, and spleen removal.

How We Prepare Your Pet for Surgery

Every surgical patient at Main Street Animal Clinic receives a pre-surgical physical examination. For most procedures, we also recommend pre-anesthetic blood work to screen for underlying conditions that could affect how your pet responds to anesthesia. This is especially important for older pets or those with known health issues.

We’ll provide you with fasting instructions ahead of the procedure and go over any medications your pet should or shouldn’t receive beforehand. Before the day of surgery, we encourage you to ask any questions you have—we want you to feel prepared and confident going in.

Anesthesia and Pain Management

General anesthesia is required for most soft tissue procedures. Your pet is monitored throughout the procedure by a dedicated team member tracking vital signs, oxygen levels, and anesthetic depth. We use multimodal pain management—meaning we address pain through multiple approaches before, during, and after surgery—to keep your pet as comfortable as possible during recovery.

What to Expect After Surgery

Most soft tissue procedures are same-day, meaning your pet goes home the same day the procedure is performed. Before discharge, we’ll walk you through recovery instructions specific to your pet’s procedure, including activity restrictions, incision monitoring, and medication administration.

We’ll schedule a follow-up visit to check the incision site and remove sutures if needed. During recovery, we’re available to answer questions—don’t hesitate to call if something seems off or if you have concerns about how your pet is healing.

For pets recovering from more significant procedures, we may recommend wellness drop-off services for follow-up monitoring.

Pet Soft Tissue Surgery FAQs

How do I know if my pet needs surgery?

Not every lump, injury, or internal issue requires surgery—but some conditions won’t resolve without it. If your pet has a growing or changing mass, is showing signs of internal distress, has swallowed a foreign object, or has a wound that won’t heal, call us to schedule an evaluation. We’ll discuss all options, including non-surgical approaches when appropriate, before recommending a procedure.

Is my pet a good candidate for surgery?

Most healthy adult pets tolerate soft tissue surgery well. For older pets or those with underlying conditions, we take additional precautions, including pre-surgical bloodwork and careful anesthetic monitoring. Age alone isn’t a barrier—overall health status matters more than the number on the calendar.

Will my pet need to stay overnight?

Most soft tissue procedures are same-day, and pets go home the same afternoon. Occasionally, a more involved procedure or a pet that needs closer monitoring may require an overnight stay or referral to an emergency facility for overnight care. We’ll let you know ahead of time if that’s a possibility for your pet’s situation.

How do I care for my pet's incision at home?

We provide written aftercare instructions at discharge. In general, pets should be kept calm, and activity should be restricted for the first 10 to 14 days. The incision should be kept clean and dry, and an e-collar is typically recommended to prevent licking. Contact us if you notice redness, swelling, discharge, or if the incision opens.

What happens to the mass after removal?

We recommend submitting removed masses for pathology analysis whenever appropriate. The results tell us what type of tissue or tumor was removed, whether the margins are clean, and whether any follow-up treatment is warranted. We’ll discuss pathology results with you when they’re available, typically within a week or two of the procedure.

Schedule a Surgical Consultation in Oakland, TN

If your pet has a lump that needs evaluation, a wound that isn’t healing, or another condition that may require surgical care, we’re here to help. Our clinic is located at 7980 Hwy 64 in Oakland, TN, and we serve pets and their families from across Fayette, Shelby, Hardeman and Tipton counties, as well as some areas of Mississippi. Call us at (901) 235-7127 or book online to schedule a consultation.