Surgical Services for Dogs and Cats in South Surrey and White Rock, BC
Surgical care at Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital is performed with careful preparation, attentive anesthetic monitoring, and clear communication with families before, during, and after every procedure. Our South Surrey clinic is equipped for a full range of soft tissue, orthopedic, and elective surgeries for dogs and cats. Dr. Vikram Virk and Dr. Gurbrinder Ghuman bring extensive surgical experience to each case and discuss your pet’s individual needs, anesthetic risk profile, and recovery expectations with you before proceeding. We also provide thorough post-operative support to help your pet heal well at home. To schedule a surgical consultation or pre-operative assessment, call (604) 536-3131.
Spay
Spaying a female dog or cat eliminates the risk of uterine infections, greatly reduces the risk of mammary tumors when performed before the first heat cycle, and prevents unwanted pregnancies. At Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital, we discuss the timing of spay surgery based on your pet's breed and size. Small and medium breeds are typically spayed around 6 months. Larger breeds benefit from waiting until 12 to 18 months to allow the growth plates to close. Giant breeds may wait until 18 to 24 months. Our team performs a full pre-operative assessment to evaluate anesthetic risk and ensures your pet is carefully monitored throughout the procedure and recovery.
Neuter
Neutering male dogs and cats eliminates the risk of testicular cancer, reduces the risk of prostate disease, and typically reduces territorial behaviors such as urine marking and roaming. At Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital, we discuss neutering timing with each owner individually. Small and medium breeds are generally neutered around 6 months. For large and giant breed dogs, we recommend waiting until skeletal maturity to reduce the risk of orthopedic complications. For cats, neutering before 5 months reduces the risk of sexually motivated behaviors developing. All neuter procedures at our clinic are performed with full anesthetic monitoring and post-operative pain support.
Soft Tissue Surgery
Soft tissue surgery covers a broad range of procedures involving the skin, internal organs, and body wall. At Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital, we perform soft tissue procedures including mass removals, intestinal resections, bladder surgery, splenectomies, gastropexy, and other abdominal and thoracic interventions. Each surgery begins with a physical examination and appropriate pre-operative bloodwork to assess your pet's surgical readiness and anesthetic risk. Our team communicates clearly with you before any procedure, explains what to expect during recovery, and is available to answer questions throughout the post-operative period. For complex cases that fall outside our surgical scope, we provide referrals to board-certified surgeons.
Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic conditions in dogs and cats affect mobility, comfort, and quality of life. At Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital, we evaluate orthopedic problems including fractures, cruciate ligament injuries, luxating patellas, and joint disease, and we perform orthopedic procedures within our scope of practice. For procedures requiring specialized orthopedic expertise, such as TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy), we maintain relationships with veterinary referral surgeons and can coordinate a consultation on your behalf. Digital radiography at our clinic allows us to evaluate bone and joint structures accurately and guide our recommendations before any surgical decision is made.
Tumor Surgery
Tumor removal in dogs and cats ranges from straightforward skin mass excisions to more involved procedures requiring careful margin planning and histopathology. At Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital, we evaluate any lump or growth with a fine needle aspiration (FNA) where appropriate before recommending surgery, to understand the nature of the tissue and plan the procedure accordingly. After excision, tissue is sent to an external pathology laboratory for histopathology, which provides definitive information about the mass and whether surgical margins were complete. Our team discusses the findings with you and advises on whether further monitoring or follow-up is recommended based on the pathology report.
Eye Surgery
Eye surgeries at Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital include correction of cherry eye (prolapsed nictitating membrane gland), entropion correction, eyelid mass removal, and other ocular procedures appropriate to our surgical scope. Eye conditions can deteriorate quickly, so we encourage prompt assessment of any eye abnormality. Our team performs a careful pre-surgical evaluation to confirm the procedure is appropriate and to discuss recovery expectations and post-operative care requirements with the owner. For complex ocular conditions requiring the expertise of a veterinary ophthalmologist, we can arrange a referral to a specialist.
Dental Surgery
Dental surgical procedures, including tooth extractions, are performed in our Dental Care department and are described in detail on that page. Dental surgery at Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital is performed under full general anesthetic with dedicated monitoring, allowing our team to work thoroughly and safely. Many dental conditions benefit significantly from surgical intervention, and extraction of severely compromised teeth removes a source of chronic pain that owners often do not recognize until after surgery. See our Dental Care page for full details on our dental surgical offerings.
Cystotomy
Cystotomy is a surgical procedure to open and access the bladder, most commonly performed to remove bladder stones that cannot be managed medically. Bladder stones cause discomfort, recurring infections, and in male pets can cause life-threatening urinary blockages. At Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital, we confirm the presence and size of bladder stones through radiographs and ultrasound before recommending surgery. Post-operative care includes monitoring urine output, a diet change to reduce the risk of recurrence, and follow-up radiographs to confirm the bladder is clear. Our team walks you through home care instructions carefully before discharge.
Exploratory Surgery
Exploratory surgery allows our team to directly visualize and assess abdominal structures when imaging findings are inconclusive or when a pet requires urgent intervention based on clinical signs. It may also be the step that follows imaging in cases of suspected foreign body ingestion, internal bleeding, or tissue changes that require biopsy. At Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital, exploratory procedures are approached with thorough pre-operative preparation and a clear plan for what we are looking for and what we will do if we find it. We discuss the rationale for surgery, realistic outcomes, and post-operative care requirements with families before proceeding.
Splenectomy
Splenectomy, the surgical removal of the spleen, is most commonly performed when a splenic mass is discovered on imaging or when the spleen is involved in a life-threatening bleeding episode. Splenic masses in dogs can be benign or malignant, and rapid action is sometimes needed. At Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital, we perform splenectomies as both scheduled procedures and, when necessary, on an urgent basis for patients in need of prompt intervention. Tissue removed during splenectomy is routinely submitted for histopathology to guide post-operative monitoring recommendations.
Enterectomy and Gastrotomy
Enterectomy (intestinal resection) and gastrotomy (opening of the stomach) are performed when pets have ingested foreign materials that cannot pass naturally, when a segment of bowel is compromised, or when a mass or obstruction requires surgical attention. These are among the more urgent surgical situations we encounter. At Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital, we work to stabilize patients before surgery and communicate clearly with families about the nature of the procedure and what recovery involves. Post-operative care for intestinal surgeries requires close monitoring at home, and our team provides detailed written discharge instructions and follow-up appointments.
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Timing depends on your dog’s size. Small and medium breeds are generally spayed or neutered at 6 months. Large breeds benefit from waiting until 12 to 18 months, and giant breeds until 18 to 24 months, to support healthy skeletal development. Our team will discuss the right timing for your specific dog at a pre-surgical consultation.
Yes. Pre-operative bloodwork is a standard part of surgical preparation at Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital. It allows us to assess organ function, identify any factors that could affect anesthetic choice or safety, and establish a baseline for monitoring during recovery. We explain all pre-operative requirements clearly when you book your surgical appointment.
Most dogs and cats recover well from spay and neuter surgery within 10 to 14 days. During this time, activity should be restricted to prevent strain on the incision. We provide detailed discharge instructions and are available to answer questions during the recovery period. A post-operative check-up is typically recommended within 10 to 14 days to confirm healing.
Yes. We evaluate lumps and skin masses using fine needle aspiration where appropriate to help determine the nature of the tissue before recommending surgical removal. Tissue removed during surgery is sent for histopathology to confirm the type of mass and whether margins were complete. Book an assessment so we can examine the lump and advise on next steps.
For procedures requiring specialist expertise, such as complex orthopedic surgeries, advanced oncological procedures, or neurological surgery, we provide referrals to veterinary specialists. We prepare a complete summary of your pet’s history and findings to support the referral and can help coordinate the appointment.
Your pet’s surgery should feel manageable, not overwhelming. Call Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital at (604) 536-3131 to schedule a surgical consultation or pre-operative assessment. We are open seven days a week and serve pets from South Surrey, White Rock, and the surrounding area.