Medically Reviewed by Dr. Erin Paster, DVM on July 30, 2026
When your pet is diagnosed with a condition requiring surgery, the news can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s a mass that needs to be removed, a stomach that has twisted, or a bladder issue that won’t resolve with medication, the path forward raises questions. What kind of surgery does my pet need? Who should perform it? What should I expect? Soft tissue surgery covers a broad range of procedures involving the internal organs and body systems, and knowing what it entails can help you feel more confident as you navigate your pet’s care.
At Stonebridge Veterinary Wellness, our team brings over 20 years of experience in caring for pets in Roseville, CA, and the surrounding community through our full range of veterinary care. We are a family-owned, non-corporate practice where every patient receives the same dedication we would give our own pets. When it comes to surgery, board-certified surgeon Dr. Erin Paster leads our surgical team with a depth of training and a commitment to patient safety that sets the standard for what pet owners deserve.
What Is Soft Tissue Surgery?
Soft tissue surgery refers to procedures performed on the body’s organs and tissues that are not related to bone. It is one of the most versatile areas of veterinary medicine, addressing a wide range of conditions that affect a pet’s quality of life and overall health. From the digestive system and urinary tract to the skin, respiratory system, and beyond, soft tissue procedures vary significantly in complexity and scope.
Some of the most common soft tissue surgeries performed in veterinary practice include the following:
- Mass or tumor removal
- Gastrointestinal surgeries, including treatment for gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV)
- Bladder and urinary tract procedures
- Reconstructive skin and wound surgeries
- Splenectomy and liver procedures
- Respiratory tract surgeries
Each of these procedures requires careful planning, precise technique, and the right level of anesthetic and pain management support throughout the process.
Conditions That Commonly Lead to Soft Tissue Surgery
Pet owners are often surprised by how many everyday concerns can eventually lead to a surgical recommendation. Understanding the most common paths to surgery can help you recognize when a consultation is worth scheduling sooner rather than later.
Masses and Tumors
A new lump discovered during petting or grooming is one of the most frequent reasons pet owners contact our office. Not every mass requires surgery, but many benefit from removal and biopsy to determine whether they are benign or something that needs further treatment. Our post on mass removal surgery in pets and our guide to lumps and bumps walk through how our doctors decide between monitoring and surgical removal. For pets with a confirmed or suspected cancerous mass, our oncologic surgery team handles more complex tumor removals that require additional staging and planning.
Gastrointestinal Emergencies
Gastric dilatation-volvulus, commonly known as bloat, is one of the most urgent conditions in veterinary medicine. It occurs when the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself, cutting off blood flow. This condition progresses rapidly and requires emergency surgery, often within hours of the first symptoms appearing. Foreign body ingestion, where a pet swallows an object that becomes lodged in the intestinal tract, is another common gastrointestinal emergency that frequently requires surgical removal.
Bladder and Urinary Procedures
Bladder stones, chronic urinary blockages, and certain congenital abnormalities of the urinary tract often do not resolve with medication alone. When conservative treatment fails to clear the problem, surgery becomes the most reliable way to restore normal urinary function and prevent the issue from recurring.
Why a Board-Certified Surgeon Matters
Not all veterinary surgeries are created equal, and not all veterinarians who perform surgery have the same level of training. In addition to four years of veterinary medical school and a one- or two-year internship, a board-certified veterinary surgeon has completed an accredited three-year residency program and passed rigorous examinations to demonstrate mastery of surgical principles and techniques. Board-certified surgeons are true surgical specialists upon completing this demanding training program, and that additional training translates directly into surgical precision performed to the highest standard of care.
Dr. Erin Paster is a board-certified surgeon and brings an extraordinary depth of training to every procedure she performs. In addition to her rigorous surgical training, her background also includes work as a PennHIP postdoctoral fellow, where she ran the PennHIP clinic at the University of Pennsylvania and performed countless evaluations on dogs of all breeds and sizes. She was also part of the Nestle-Purina lifelong study in Labrador retrievers, contributing to peer-reviewed research that helped redefine how joint conditions are viewed and managed throughout a dog’s lifetime. This level of involvement in veterinary research reflects the commitment to evidence-based care that she brings to every patient. You can read more about her background on our meet the team page.
What to Expect Before, During, and After Surgery
Preparation and recovery are just as important as the procedure itself. Before surgery, our doctors conduct thorough evaluations to ensure your pet is a good anesthetic and surgical candidate, and to identify any underlying concerns that could affect the outcome. We also consult with a veterinarian certified in pain management to develop the most appropriate pain management protocol for your individual pet.
Anesthesia and Monitoring
Your pet’s safety during anesthesia is a top priority for our surgical team. Our state-of-the-art monitoring equipment and experienced anesthesia team ensure that your pet’s vital signs are tracked closely throughout the procedure and into recovery. Warming devices, a heated surgery table, and heated blankets are used to maintain body temperature during surgery, a detail that makes a meaningful difference in how safely and comfortably pets recover.
Post-Operative Care and Recovery
After surgery, clear communication with you, the pet owner, is essential. Our team provides detailed discharge instructions, answers questions about activity restrictions, wound care, and medication, and remains available to address concerns as your pet heals. Most pets recover consciousness within an hour of the procedure ending and go home the same day or within 24 hours, depending on the complexity of the surgery, according to guidance from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Many soft tissue procedures call for 10 to 14 days of restricted activity, with a gradual return to normal movement over four to six weeks, though timelines vary considerably depending on the specific procedure and your pet’s overall health. Keeping your pet from licking or chewing the incision site during this window is one of the most important things you can do to prevent complications.
When Should You Consider a Surgical Consultation?
Some conditions respond well to medications and conservative management, while others ultimately require surgical intervention to resolve. If your pet has been diagnosed with a mass, is experiencing gastrointestinal issues that have not improved with treatment, has a chronic or non-healing wound, or has been referred by another veterinarian for a more involved procedure, a surgical consultation is the right next step. Our dog surgery and cat surgery services cover this full range of soft tissue and specialty procedures, and early evaluation allows our doctors to explain your options fully and create a plan that prioritizes your pet’s comfort and long-term well-being.
Our meet the team page gives you a closer look at the people behind our surgical and wellness services, and our about page provides more background on what makes our practice different from larger corporate clinics. If you are a new client looking to establish care, we welcome you to learn more about getting started with us.
Trust Stonebridge Veterinary Wellness With Your Pet’s Surgical Care
At Stonebridge Veterinary Wellness, we understand that surgery is never a decision made lightly. Our team brings together board-certified surgical skill, evidence-based techniques, advanced monitoring capabilities, family-owned hospitality, and a genuine love for the animals in our care. Dr. Paster’s credentials and training, combined with our commitment to individualized pain management and attentive recovery support, reflect a standard of care that goes well beyond the routine. We are proud to be a family-owned practice where every pet is seen as more than a patient.
If your pet has been recommended for surgery or you have concerns that may require further evaluation, we encourage you to reach out to our team. You can submit your information and questions directly through our contact form, and a member of our team will follow up with you promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Soft Tissue Surgery
How is soft tissue surgery different from orthopedic surgery?
Soft tissue surgery addresses organs and tissues unrelated to bone, such as the digestive system, urinary tract, skin, and internal organs. Orthopedic surgery, by contrast, focuses on bones, joints, and the structures that support movement, such as fracture repairs or cruciate ligament procedures.
How urgent is surgery for gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)?
Bloat is a true emergency. The stomach twists and cuts off its own blood supply, and the condition can become life-threatening within hours. Any dog showing a distended abdomen, unproductive retching, or restlessness needs immediate veterinary evaluation.
Does every mass need to be surgically removed?
No. Some masses can be safely monitored, while others benefit from removal and biopsy to confirm what they are. Our doctors evaluate size, location, growth rate, and your pet’s overall health before recommending monitoring versus surgery.
How long will my pet need restricted activity after surgery?
Most soft tissue procedures call for about 10 to 14 days of limited activity, with a gradual return to normal movement over four to six weeks. Your discharge instructions will outline the specific restrictions for your pet’s procedure.
Why should I choose a board-certified surgeon instead of a general practice veterinarian for surgery?
A board-certified surgeon has completed an additional three-year residency and passed rigorous specialty examinations beyond general veterinary training. For complex or high-risk procedures, that additional training can meaningfully affect precision, safety, and outcomes.
About the Author
Board-Certified Veterinary Surgeon
Dr. Paster leads the surgical team at Stonebridge Veterinary Wellness. She completed an accredited surgical residency, served as a PennHIP postdoctoral fellow running the PennHIP clinic at the University of Pennsylvania, and contributed to the Nestle-Purina lifelong study in Labrador retrievers.
