Skin Procedures

Pets suffering from disease of the the anal sacs are good candidates for anal sac removal. Most common problems would be a need for frequent expression, recurrent anal sac infections, or tumors of the anal sac. Tumors of the the anal sac are more often sarcomas, and have often metastasized before the mass is ever noticed. Removal allows us to get a accurate diagnosis of any tumors of the anal sacs, and help guide you through your pet’s needs.

Anal Sac removal is not with out risk. These sacs are close to important nerves and the rectal muscles. Damage to the nerves can result in fecal incontinence. Reports vary on the frequency of this type of complication from as low as 2% to as high as 33%. There is more evidence that the complication rates are on the lower end of that scale.

Unilaterial for Anal Sac Tumor $950-$1,800

Resection One Side $950

Resection Both Sides $1200

Cryosurgery is the removal of skin tags, moles and masses by freezing them. Using Liquid Nitrogen we can freeze the tissues of smaller skin masses. The benefit of this is no sedation or anesthesia is required for the cooperative and patient pet. This can be very helpful in older pets or those at a higher anesthetic risk.

We will need to evaluate your pet to develop a plan and to determine if they are a good candidate for cryosurgery before scheduling the procedure. Larger masses may require multiple treatments to remove completely. Once frozen the tissue will die, scab over, and heal. This may tack 14-21 days depending on the size of the mass treated.

Cost varies by number and size of masses to be removed.

Starts at $175.00 for a single mass and goes up to $650.00 for up to 15 masses in one session.

When pets have ear disease that causes them to shake their head they will often bust blood vessels under the skin that turn into large hemorrhages, called a hematoma. these cause a large swelling on the inside of the ear. Untreated the clot will deform the ear. The deformity of the ear can then also contribute to further chronic ear conditions.

We believe the best way to resolve these problems is by surgical drainage and tacking the skin down back down to the cartilage. Our docotrs use a varitey of surgical aproaches for this procedure.

The underlying ear condition will need to be treated as well. The Cost below is for the surgical procedure alone. As ear disorders are often chronic we encourage owners to work with their family veterinarian to treat and maintain chronic ear conditions.

For surgical drainage ONLY $ 750.00

Many dogs have an additional skin fold around their vulva. This skin fold in some dogs becomes a source of chronic skin fold dermatitis or contributes to chronic reoccurring urinary tract infections. Dogs with vulvar fold issues may be mistaken as having anal sac problems, as they will lick and scoot in much the same manner.

By removing this excessive fold of skin we can reduce and even eliminate the problems associated with them.

$950.00 -$1,200

Lacerations come in a multitude of shapes and sizes. Our team of doctors are experienced with even the most challenging of lacerations. The causes range form unknown to being hit by a car, to dog fights.
Each laceration has its own unique challenges and complicating factors to include damaged blood supply, infection, and the location it is located. At the time of your pets visit we will be able to better asses the needed care and cost.

Simple lacerations start as low as $350.00, but exam is need to give full cost of most lacerations.

Masses and tumors come in all kinds of shapes and size. Every cancer is a tumor, but not every tumor is cancer. To determine if your pet’s tumor is cancer a histopathology will be needed to tell us what the tumor tissue is. We encourage all owners to elect histopathology, but understand the cost may a financial hurdle to performing the procedure. At the owners request we are happy to store sections of a mass for 30 days to allow the mass to be sent out once they are able to afford the lab testing. After 30 days all tissue is disposed of.

All masses have their own unique challenges and complications. At the time of your pets pre-op exam our doctor will discuss with you any concerns.

Exact cost is dependent on mass size, location, and other factors. $750-1,500.00 +

Lick granulomas can be complicated and frustrating disorders to resolve. Often the initiating cause is hard to narrow down. Those causes include but are not limited to, allergies, stress, trauma, infection, or pain. Something causes the pet to start licking and then they find it soothing and do not stop. But the licking causes more infection and damage to the skin.

Using a Surgical LASER to perform a tissue ablation of the effected area we can often resolve many chronic granulomas. The LASER will remove most of the infected tissue, but also numb the area by ablating the nerve endings. This numbness is thought to break the cycle and often the pet will stop licking that area. though they pick a new area if the cause is behavioral or stress.

$950.00

Dogs that suffer chronic and recurrent ear infection following proper treatment and follow up may benefit from a Lateral Ear Canal Resection. By removal of a portion of the vertical ear canal we can open up the ear canal, allowing better drainage and application of medications deeper in to the ear canal. This can reduce re-occurrence of ear infections and reduces the chances a total ear carnal ablation is needed later.

$950.00 -$1,200

Salivary mucoceles are caused when saliva collects under the skin due to a damaged, or leaking salivary gland or duct. The saliva will result in a fluid filled swelling under the jaw, or ventral neck. The best treatment involves the removal of the effected salivary gland. Though certain glands are usually effected, it can be tricky to determine what side and which gland is truly involved. So occurrence can occur.

Our doctors are experienced in several of the different typical pretensions of this disorder.

$950 – $1,500

With chroic poolrly managed ear infections the ear eventially becomes swollen shut and can only be succesfully treated with a removal of the entire earcanal, and cleaning out of the middle ear. This is an unfortuante situation, and the procedure is one of the most challenging of all the procedures offered by our docotrs.

Post operative compilations are expected as the tissues are infected, and there are many important structures in the surgical area. Most of the complications are temporary and can be resolved with additional care and treatments. Some cases may suffer from damage to the facial nerve. Initially that may be temporary, but there is a risk that it is permanent. This causes paralysis to the the effected side of the face, and may cause issues with blinking of the eye on that side. Though this complication is not ideal, it may still provided a better quality of life for a dog suffering with the pain and discomfort of chronic non resolved ear infections.

Our doctors have had great success with several of these most challenging cases,

$1,900- $2,200 Per Ear

Perineal hernias are very problematic, as the hernia allows organs such as the colon, and bladder to become entrapped. This can cause difficulties in urination and deification. If entrapment of organs occur, it is imperative surgery is performed as soon as possible. If the dog is not neutered at the time of repair it will need to be neutered to slow the progression of the opposite side herniating as well. The opposite side is at high risk of herniation at a later time.

Repair of a perineal hernia is challenging. Though our doctors have had great success at repair, reported complications and failure of the repair is reported in 10-15% of cases within a year.

$1,250 – $1,800