If your pet requires kidney surgery, they’ll likely be undergoing a nephrectomy – the removal of the kidney and the associated ureter. A cystotomy is performed for issues relating to the bladder, allowing surgeons to remove bladder stones, a tumour in the bladder or a blockage of the urethra.

Dialysis

As kidney transplants aren’t performed on dogs and cats, dialysis or renal replacement therapy is only used to help pets recover from acute kidney injuries. In this case, machinery will take on the role of your pet’s kidneys so they can heal. During dialysis sessions, blood is cleansed outside the body – pumped through a machine – and this minimally invasive treatment will just be temporary until they recover.

Surgical procedures pertaining to your pets’ reproductive systems go beyond spaying and neutering. The AREN Network’s veterinary surgeons are highly experienced in treating conditions related to reproduction, including the removal of cysts and tumours, caesareans, paraphimosis in male pets, and pyometra in female pets.

Pituitary disorders are quite common and involve abnormalities of the pituitary gland. Cushing’s disease (affecting both dogs and cats) and acromegaly (a common cause of diabetes in cats) are examples of pituitary disorders that often require specialised surgery.

Trauma

Pets can often sustain injuries that require surgery, and the AREN Network offers exceptional and considered care for every trauma patient. Whether a pet has sustained trauma through an incident with another animal, a traffic accident, a fall, or any number of causes, the AREN Network’s veterinary surgeons will work with your family to achieve the best outcome possible.

Our veterinary surgical specialists will work closely with your regular vet to ensure your pet receives the best treatment and recovery protocol. We are equipped with the most up-to-date surgical equipment and implants, including:

• Standard and locking, titanium and stainless-steel plates for fracture repair

• Minimally invasive (keyhole) surgical equipment for arthroscopy, laparoscopy and thoracoscopy

• External fixation implants for limb deformity correction and fracture repair

• Ureteral stents and bypass implants for ureteral obstruction

• Bipolar vessel-sealing technology for ligation

• Stapling devices for organ removal.

Our state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging capabilities include access to 1.5 Tesla MRI units, CT scanners, digital radiography, and ultrasound systems to ensure we have the clearest picture of your pet’s requirements from a surgical and general health and well-being perspective.

Our specialist veterinary surgeons are also assisted by a highly qualified support team. The integration of surgery with internal medicine, oncology, ophthalmology, physiotherapy, diagnostic imaging and emergency and critical care ensures a seamless approach to your pet’s care.

The AREN Network’s highly trained surgery teams offer a range of complex surgical solutions for dogs and cats and are well aware of the stress and emotions that can accompany this journey.

Pre-surgery

At your first consultation with one of the AREN Network’s specialists, we’ll consider the information from the referring vet and listen to your account of your pet’s medical history before assessing it for ourselves. We’ll also want to hear about your concerns and goals for your pet’s health, taking into consideration the individual circumstances of our patient and their family.

Our veterinary surgeons may request additional diagnostic testing and imaging before recommending the best course of action for your pet. This will allow you to learn about the risks involved and the plan for ongoing care following surgery.