Emergency Surgery

At Healing Hearts Animal Urgent Care in Round Rock, we evaluate urgent surgical cases promptly and provide emergency surgery when appropriate, while keeping you informed and coordinating closely with referral partners when advanced or ongoing care is needed.

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Signs Your Pet May Need Emergency Surgery

Some surgical problems need attention right away and should not wait until the next day. At Healing Hearts Animal Urgent Care in Round Rock, we evaluate pets with urgent surgical concerns promptly and help guide the next steps with clear, compassionate communication.

You should seek veterinary care as soon as possible if your pet has any of the following signs:

  • Bloated or swollen abdomen
  • Repeated vomiting or inability to keep food or water down
  • Straining to urinate or inability to urinate
  • Extreme lethargy, weakness, or collapse
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Severe pain, whining, restlessness, or signs of distress
  • Visible trauma, wounds, or active bleeding

Some of these signs can point to conditions that may require urgent or emergency surgery. Prompt evaluation can make a major difference in your pet’s comfort, safety, and outcome.

Types of Emergency Surgery We Provide

Emergency surgery is performed when a pet has a serious condition that cannot safely wait.

Immediate Surgery

GDV, also called bloat, is a life-threatening emergency in which the stomach fills with gas and twists. Immediate surgery is often needed to relieve pressure, restore blood flow, and help save your dog’s life.

Pyometra is a severe uterine infection that can quickly become life-threatening without prompt treatment. Surgery is typically needed to remove the infected uterus and give your dog the best chance at a safe recovery.

Foreign body removal surgery is needed when a pet swallows an object that becomes stuck and blocks the digestive tract. Quick treatment is important, as an obstruction can lead to vomiting, dehydration, severe pain, and damage to the stomach or intestines.

An enterotomy is used to remove a blockage from the intestines, while an intestinal resection removes a section of intestine that has been badly damaged. These procedures are often urgent when a pet has an obstruction, perforation, or loss of blood supply to the bowel.

A gastrotomy opens the stomach to remove a foreign object or address a serious stomach problem. A gastrectomy involves removing damaged or unhealthy stomach tissue when more advanced surgical treatment is needed.

A splenectomy is the surgical removal of the spleen, often due to a mass, rupture, or internal bleeding. Because these conditions can become critical very quickly, prompt evaluation and surgery may be necessary.

Urgent Surgical Conditions (often same-day or next-day)

A cystotomy is performed to open the bladder and remove stones or other material causing irritation or obstruction. This surgery may be needed urgently when a pet is straining to urinate, unable to urinate normally, or has stones causing blockage.

A perineal hernia occurs when muscles near the rectum weaken and allow tissue or organs to move out of place. Surgery may be needed quickly if your pet is having difficulty passing stool or urine, or if organs become trapped.

Rectal prolapse reduction is performed when rectal tissue protrudes through the anus and cannot return to its normal position on its own. Timely treatment is important to protect the tissue, relieve discomfort, and address the cause of the prolapse.

A Cesarean section may be necessary when a mother cannot safely deliver her puppies or kittens naturally. When labor is not progressing as expected or a baby is in distress, prompt surgery can be critical for both mom and her litter.

Trauma & Injury-Related Emergencies

Laceration repair is performed to clean, assess, and close wounds caused by trauma, bites, or other injuries. Prompt surgical care helps protect damaged tissue, reduce infection risk, and support better healing.

Abscess repair may be needed when an infection creates a painful pocket of pus that requires drainage and deeper cleaning. Surgery helps remove infected material, relieve discomfort, and encourage healthier healing.

Limb amputation may be necessary when a leg has suffered severe trauma, infection, or damage that cannot be safely repaired. Although this is a major surgery, many pets adapt very well and are able to return to a comfortable, active life.

Digit amputation involves removing a severely injured, infected, or painful toe when it cannot be saved. This procedure can relieve pain, prevent the problem from worsening, and support healing.

Tail amputation may be recommended when the tail has been badly injured, repeatedly traumatized, or affected by infection or tissue death. Surgery helps remove painful damaged tissue and allows the area to heal more comfortably.

Peace of mind is just a visit away

When your pet needs care and your vet is closed, we’re here to help—quickly, compassionately, and without the emergency price tag.