When your dog or cat needs surgery, you want a team that brings both technical skill and genuine compassion to every procedure. Universal Pet Hospital in Palo Alto offers a comprehensive range of veterinary surgical services, from routine spay and neuter procedures to advanced soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries. Complex procedures requiring specialist expertise are performed by a visiting board-certified veterinary surgeon in our in-house surgical suite. Pre-booking is required for specialist surgical cases. Our advanced monitoring equipment, Fear Free approach, and thorough post-operative care ensure that every patient is supported from pre-surgical preparation through full recovery. Call (650) 362-7969 to schedule a surgical consultation.
Spaying or neutering your dog or cat is one of the most impactful health decisions you can make for their long-term wellbeing. Spaying a female before her first heat cycle significantly reduces the risk of mammary tumors and eliminates the possibility of pyometra, a life-threatening uterine infection. Neutering a male reduces the risk of testicular cancer and certain prostate conditions and may reduce hormonally driven behaviors including roaming and urine marking. We tailor the timing of spay and neuter procedures to your pet's species, breed, and size. Small breed dogs are typically spayed or neutered at five to six months, medium breeds at six months, large breeds at nine to twelve months, and giant breeds at twelve to eighteen months. All procedures include pre-anesthetic blood testing, IV catheter and fluids, continuous anesthetic monitoring, and post-operative pain management. Most patients are discharged the same day.
Soft tissue surgery encompasses a broad range of procedures involving the skin, body wall, and internal organs. At Universal Pet Hospital, we perform soft tissue surgeries including mass and tumor removals, wound reconstruction and closure, abdominal explorations, cystotomy (bladder surgery) for urinary stones, gastrotomy and enterotomy for gastrointestinal foreign body removal or intestinal disease, splenectomy, C-sections, and pyometra surgery. Our surgical suite is equipped with anesthetic monitoring devices, fluid pumps, and a patient warming system to support safety throughout every procedure. Complex soft tissue surgeries requiring advanced expertise are performed by our visiting board-certified veterinary surgeon, with pre-booking required. Your primary care veterinarian will advise whether your pet's case requires specialist involvement.
Orthopedic conditions affecting the bones and joints are among the most common reasons dogs require surgical care, and prompt surgical intervention can prevent further joint damage and significantly improve quality of life. Orthopedic procedures we offer at our Palo Alto clinic include fracture repair, cruciate ligament repair, patella luxation correction, and other joint and bone procedures. Advanced orthopedic surgeries requiring specialist expertise are performed by our visiting board-certified veterinary surgeon. Pre-booking is required for all specialist surgical cases. We provide comprehensive pre-operative evaluation, surgical planning, and a structured post-operative plan for every orthopedic patient to support a smooth and durable recovery.
Tumor removal is one of the most common surgical procedures we perform for dogs and cats at Universal Pet Hospital. Early surgical intervention often produces the best outcomes for both benign and malignant masses. We perform excision of skin masses, subcutaneous tumors, oral masses, and internal tumors. The appropriate surgical approach depends on tumor type, size, location, and whether spread is suspected. We recommend pre-operative fine needle aspirate or biopsy evaluation whenever possible to guide surgical planning. Excised tissue is submitted to a veterinary pathologist for histopathological analysis to confirm tumor type and assess surgical margins. Complex oncological surgeries are performed by our visiting board-certified veterinary surgeon with pre-booking required.
Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), commonly called bloat, is a life-threatening emergency in which the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself, cutting off blood supply to the surrounding tissue. Large and giant breed dogs including Great Danes, Standard Poodles, German Shepherds, and Weimaraners are at the highest risk. GDV requires immediate surgical intervention to have any chance of a successful outcome. Signs include a rapidly distended abdomen, unproductive retching, excessive drooling, restlessness, and collapse. If your dog is showing these signs, call us immediately at (650) 362-7969 and come in during our open hours. For cases requiring intensive overnight post-operative monitoring, we will coordinate referral to a trusted 24-hour emergency facility.
Dystocia (difficult or obstructed labor) and pyometra (uterine infection) are reproductive emergencies that require prompt surgical care. C-sections are performed when a female dog or cat is unable to deliver naturally, with the safety of the mother and neonates as the primary concern. Pyometra surgery (ovariohysterectomy) is the most definitive and safest way to resolve uterine infection and is recommended for most patients presenting with open or closed pyometra. Both procedures carry surgical risk and require careful pre-operative evaluation. We are available to assess and manage these cases during our regular business hours.
Surgical procedures involving the eye and ear require precision and a careful approach to achieve good outcomes and preserve function. Eye surgeries we perform include entropion correction (inward rolling eyelid), ectropion correction (outward rolling eyelid), and cherry eye repair (prolapsed third eyelid gland). Ear surgeries include lateral ear canal resection for dogs with severe or chronic ear disease unresponsive to medical management. More complex ophthalmic procedures are referred to a veterinary ophthalmologist. Our team will discuss all available options and explain clearly what each procedure involves before recommending surgery.
Dental surgical procedures at Universal Pet Hospital include single and multi-rooted tooth extractions and oral mass removal. Complex oral surgery, including advanced multi-rooted extractions, jaw fracture repair, and specialized oral procedures, is performed by our visiting board-certified veterinary dental specialist with pre-booking required. All dental surgical procedures are performed under general anesthesia with continuous monitoring and post-operative pain management. Please see our Dental Care page for a full description of our dental services.
When your pet needs surgical care, experience and compassion matter equally. Call (650) 362-7969 or book online to schedule a surgical consultation at Universal Pet Hospital in Palo Alto. Specialist surgical procedures are available by appointment.
